Preparing to lead
Dannen is gaining management skills through classes led by experienced and supportive professors and outside-of-class learning opportunities provided by an internship and Northwestern’s Business Club. Her leadership roles include heading up a discipleship group in her dorm and serving as a Franken Fellow peer career mentor with the college’s Compass Center for Career & Calling.
No comparison
I chose Northwestern because of the high quality of its people and programs. I toured multiple NAIA and state schools during my junior and senior years of high school, and Northwestern really did stand out in quality. These were the people I wanted to spend the next four years of my life with.
Born for business
Business is in the family! I’ve had a passion for managing groups and programs with excellence since I was young, so a management degree seemed like an obvious choice. As a management major, I’ve learned that collaboration is essential and should be welcomed and encouraged. Every time innovation and efficiency have grown, the catalyst has been collaboration and a willingness to hear others’ voices.
In my corner
I so appreciate the professors. They truly are the lifeblood of the program. I have always felt supported by them. They want me to succeed, and I know they are cheering me on the entire way. If I ever have questions outside of class, I have always been met with enthusiasm and an invitation to stop by their office so they can help me understand.
On-the-job experience
I had the opportunity to intern with InsPro, a Marsh McLennan Agency. It was a fantastic experience to dive deep into the insurance industry and to use what I’ve learned in my classes, like Excel, Access, and project management software. When it came to working on projects or with software we hadn’t covered in class, I still was able to pick it up quickly because Northwestern’s management classes taught me how to study and think critically.
Off-campus learning
I belong to Northwestern’s Business Club, which schedules field trip experiences—like the time we traveled to Sioux Falls for the day and toured two companies: the accounting firm Eide Bailly and Great Shots, a combination driving range and sports bar. We were able to meet NWC alumni who work at Eide Bailly and to see how an entertainment facility like Great Shots works. It was a great opportunity to meet people in my field.
