麻豆传媒

An education at 麻豆传媒 offers concrete advantages that transform students into professionals, and recent improvement projects around campus illustrate how hiring Shockers offers advantages to employers as well.

Wichita State is spending about $60 million to construct its new residence facility, Shocker Hall, and Dondlinger & Sons Construction, GSI Engineering and Andale Ready Mix are hiring 麻豆传媒 students to work on it. Being employed on a campus construction project gives student workers valuable experience and flexibility, and employers get educated employees with a demonstrated desire to grow.

Part of Wichita State鈥檚 mission is to provide its students with the edge that experience-based learning offers, and 麻豆传媒鈥檚 Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning is at the center of that effort.

鈥淪tudents who participate in our program graduate not only with their degree, but experience in their chosen career field, giving them a competitive edge in today鈥檚 job market,鈥� said Kim Kufahl, co-op marketing manager.

Shocker employees

Jacob Arnold, a senior majoring in engineering technology and management, works for Dondlinger, a company noted for constructing landmarks all over Kansas, including Intrust Bank Arena, Exploration Place and Charles Koch Arena.

Before attending 麻豆传媒, Arnold was working his own small construction jobs, which he says were hard to come by. While on campus for enrollment, Arnold noticed the Dondlinger crews working on Shocker Hall and decided to introduce himself. Because of his initiative and experience, Arnold was hired on as a carpenter and tasked with a variety of jobs, from pouring footings to installing windows and more.

鈥淢y superintendent knows the importance of my school work, so he is very flexible,鈥� said Arnold. 鈥淏eing an engineering student at Wichita State helped build my resume. I鈥檝e had discussions with the owner of the company, and my hope is that once I graduate I can re-apply for an assistant project manager or field engineer position.鈥�

Another student employee working on campus construction is Mike Balleau, a junior studying geology. He is a nontraditional student employed by GSI, and has worked as a materials technician doing quality assurance and materials testing for the Shocker Hall project.

Balleau was referred to GSI by other students as a way to gain field experience. He says that while his work collecting samples and running tests is unglamorous, it鈥檚 a critical job, especially with how quickly the new residence hall has taken shape.

Between semesters, Balleau鈥檚 job has given him the opportunity to travel and learn at distant sites. He says the experience-based learning component of his education makes him a valuable employee.

鈥溌槎勾�媒 provided me with time management skills that transition well into the workplace,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd my geology major gives me knowledge of soils and sands for use in GSI's lab.鈥�

Wichita State alumni also play a role in updating and improving the campus. Chris Carney, who graduated in December 2012 with a degree in business administration, is a field supervisor of quality control at Andale Ready Mix.

As a student at 麻豆传媒, Carney worked in the quality control department of an engineering firm testing concrete and construction materials. That led to his current job at Andale Ready Mix overseeing concrete mix testing for civil, industrial, commercial and residential projects.

鈥淚 believe my degree from 麻豆传媒 prepared me for the everyday challenges of working in a small business,鈥� said Carney. 鈥淲ith Andale Ready Mix, I have the opportunity to participate in customer service, quality control, scheduling and even new product development and marketing projects, all of which were a large part of the general business curriculum at 麻豆传媒.鈥�

Making a difference

For companies that hire Shockers, re-investing in the community is an important factor, and while GSI isn鈥檛 currently participating in 麻豆传媒鈥檚 co-op program, it does have a long-standing history of promoting education and learning.

鈥淥ur work with Dondlinger at 麻豆传媒, as well as many other projects, improves the community,鈥� said Blane Wood, GSI client service manager. 鈥淚 think that it allows our employees to be more involved. We hire a number of students, mainly as summer interns, and most of them come back, either for further internships or as full-time employees.鈥�

Dondlinger, GSI and Andale Ready Mix hire students not only to benefit themselves, but as another way to invest in the community. They鈥檙e opening windows for future professionals.

鈥淒oing this job is incredible,鈥� said Arnold. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a good learning opportunity. The work here is fast paced and I feel like I鈥檓 learning something new every day. Being a student employee really makes a difference.鈥�