Business Alumni Profiles
Brandon Patton-Jackson
Class of 2006
When vying for a job with R.J. Reynolds, the experiential learning that Brandon Patton-Jackson received at the University of Evansville made him stand out from other candidates. "I'm currently a trade marketer in Anaheim, California. When I applied to R.J. Reynolds, they were impressed with my academic experience and the fact that I interned and studied abroad. In addition, being active in campus and student life showed my strong leadership capabilities."
Brandon found that the environment at UE encouraged students to grow both personally and professionally. This was particularly true in the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration, where he had several opportunities to participate in experiential learning. "As a student, we not only learned what was in the literature, but also what was going on in the world. For example, in my operational management class we had to write a paper on Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana's operation. What was unique about this experience was the fact we also toured the Toyota plant in Princeton, Indiana. This visit totally transformed my perception of their operations."
It is Brandon's belief that most employers are under the impression that recent graduates do not have a grasp of the real world. "As a UE graduate, I gained real world experience and entered the workforce with a solid foundation and well-rounded global education."
Chris Rafferty
Class of 2001
"I chose to study business because I wanted a challenging and rewarding career. I also wanted to make an impact in the world both economically and socially. The University of Evansville was the best place for my undergraduate studies. I was challenged academically and prepared for success both at Harvard Business School, where I earned an MBA, and in my career."
UE gave Chris many leadership opportunities, and because of its global focus, he gained a world perspective that he otherwise would not have received. "This is beneficial since business, and the world in general, continues to become a more global community."
UE provided the technical background that he uses daily in his role at Aon Risk Services Inc., an insurance brokerage firm located in Chicago. "The writing, finance, and critical thinking skills that I developed at UE have prepared me well. Plus, when I consider what my friends from UE's business program have accomplished, I am amazed."
David McDonald
Class of 2006
How do you professionally prepare to work for a company that serves 47 countries? For David McDonald it all started with two summer internships in Mexico City. "The internship experiences with the companies Marketing-One and Papa John's International helped equip me with the business skills and cultural understanding I now use every day at work. Not only did these opportunities provide me an environment to practice the language and business skills I had learned in the classroom, but they also gave me the chance to live and work in the Mexican culture which necessitated learning a new set of rules."
Presently David works with Do It Best Corporation, an international co-op distributor of hardware, lumber, and building materials. In his position as international conversion specialist, David travels the world and works with the training of staff and managers on the products, services, and solutions offered by his company.
"One highlight for me in studying abroad was being able to live, work, travel, interact with another culture, and manage the intricacies of another language."
