Finding the right fit

When Corinne Sleeter transferred to Central Michigan University in her sophomore year, she was doing more than changing schools—she was changing her future.

Originally from Edwardsville, Illinois, a metro suburb of St. Louis, Sleeter arrived at CMU with a new major, a new campus, and a determination to find a better fit.

“I just wasn’t a huge fan of the school I was at before,” she said. “It didn’t feel like the right environment for me.” What caught her attention about CMU? No out-of-state tuition, medium campus size, and a reputation for supportive faculty and hands-on learning.

That switch wasn’t the only major decision Sleeter made early on.

“I came in pre-med,” she said. “Then on the last day of the drop/add period, I switched to finance. I reached out to people I knew in the industry—and they were all like, ‘You’ll have a job. You’ll do great.’ So I jumped in.”

Since then, she’s taken full advantage of everything CMU has to offer—joining student organizations, participating in study abroad and finance trips, and landing internships at both her hometown’s city hall and Lands’ End.

“I didn’t just want to go to class and go home,” she said. “I’ve gone to conferences, taken trips, gotten involved. That’s what I’ve really liked about CMU—there are so many opportunities if you look for them.”

Sleeter also credits CMU’s people with helping her thrive. She found a mentor in faculty member Brad Taylor, who guided her through course planning and post-graduation decisions. Their connection extended beyond the classroom, with Sleeter joining Taylor and fellow finance students on trips to Chicago, New York City, and Minneapolis—experiences that deepened her understanding of the industry and strengthened her career goals.

“He’s made the finance program what it is,” she said. “And he’s helped me navigate more than just academics.”

She now has a full-time job lined up with International Motors in a corporate finance rotational program.

To other transfer students—or anyone unsure of their path—her message is simple: it’s OK to start over.

“Nothing is set in stone,” she said. “You can switch majors, change schools, or decide to do something completely different. You just have to find the environment that works for you.”

And the best way to do that? “Say hi to people,” she said. “Even if it’s uncomfortable, just being friendly can make a big difference. The connections I’ve made came from putting myself out there.”

As she prepares to graduate, it’s those personal moments and shared experiences she’ll remember most—from study abroad in England to finance trips to New York and Minnesota.

“The time flies,” she said. “Make the most of it while you’re here.”