Industry insight meets student ambition

On November 13, students from across the College of Business gathered for a panel discussion that bridged classroom learning with real-world career insight. The event, co-hosted by Central Michigan University’s American Marketing Association and the Alpha Kappa Psi co-ed business fraternity, featured professionals from La-Z-Boy who shared their experience in marketing, merchandising, logistics, and early-career development.

What made this event especially valuable was how directly it connected business education with current industry expectations. Each speaker offered a perspective not just on the roles they hold—but on how they built the skills to hold them.

Understanding what drives performance

One of the clearest takeaways from the discussion was how central operational precision and data fluency have become in today’s business environment. Mamadou Alpha Bah, La-Z-Boy’s Manager of Logistics and Transportation, emphasized the importance of consistency and attention to detail.

“You have no room for errors,” he said. “Customers and dealers rely on you, so being detail-oriented is a great skill to have.”

In merchandising and marketing, the emphasis shifted toward analytical communication.

“Get really comfortable interpreting data and communicating it clearly,” said Kimberly Kovacic, Divisional Merchandising Manager and CMU alumna. “No matter your role, those skills are incredibly valuable.”

This combination—technical ability and clear communication—surfaced repeatedly as a foundation for long-term growth.

Building confidence through connection

The conversation also turned toward professional networking and career exploration, especially for students unsure about their path. The panelists provided practical advice for building relationships with intention.

“Build as many connections as you can,” Kovacic said. “Use LinkedIn, hiring events, friends—any connection can help you one day. Find a mentor who knows your skills.”

Rachel Fouts, Senior National Marketing Specialist, reflected on how stepping into an unfamiliar environment shaped her early career trajectory.

“I was terrified,” she said. “But just putting myself in the room opened doors. That experience gave me the confidence to walk into the next job fair and start real conversations.”

That example underscored a key insight: early opportunities often emerge from simple, consistent presence.

Navigating uncertainty with purpose

For students still determining their path, the panelists offered a sense of encouragement grounded in experience. Kovacic spoke candidly about the uncertainty many students feel at the start of their careers.

“It really comes down to trusting the process,” she said. “Early days in your career can feel long, but the time will pass anyway. Keep building experience.”

Fouts noted that uncertainty itself can become a turning point.

“Your first stop may not be where you end up,” she said. “It will teach you something that gets you to the next step.”

Bah added that his early ventures—while challenging—introduced him to skills he still applies.

“It shaped who I am,” he said. “Mistakes taught me lessons I carry everywhere. Follow what you like and trust your instincts.”

Their advice helped frame exploration not as a detour, but as a necessary stage in professional growth.

Standing out during recruiting season

With internships and job applications on the horizon, students wanted to know how to stand out. The panelists gave several practical suggestions:

• Lead with how you can contribute from day one.
• Use class projects when internship experience is limited.
• Strengthen tools like Excel that apply across business functions.

Fouts also emphasized that initiative still matters.

“If I’ve talked to you at a job fair, that sticks out,” she said. “With hundreds of online applicants, face-to-face connection matters.”

Early projects, lasting impact

When asked to describe meaningful projects, panelists shared examples of practical innovation.

Bah redesigned a scheduling tool that reduced email traffic and improved workflow. “I saw an improvement opportunity and built a solution,” he said.

Fouts described leading the company’s internal brand launch—a cross-functional effort involving over a dozen business units. “Seeing everything come together was incredibly rewarding.”

For Kovacic, developing a new store concept introduced an entrepreneurial aspect to her role. “We reinvented what a La-Z-Boy store could be,” she explained.

Each of these stories demonstrated how curiosity and initiative translate into real value early in a career.

Event leadership from a student perspective

Senior Kylie Scott, a marketing major from Petersburg, Michigan, played a key role in organizing the event through AMA. That involvement offered a learning experience of its own—particularly in navigating conversations with seasoned professionals.

“This was a completely new experience for me,” Scott said. “Coordinating between La-Z-Boy and AMA pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me build soft skills. I learned how to manage last-minute challenges, communicate clearly, and improve at public speaking. It also gave me a chance to talk directly with people who are doing the work I hope to do one day. Hearing how they built their careers helped me think differently about my own path.”

Her experience reflected the kind of student leadership CMU’s College of Business actively supports—where planning events becomes a launchpad for confidence, connections, and career awareness.

Strengthening employer-student partnerships

The La-Z-Boy panel introduced students to valuable career perspectives while reinforcing the College of Business Administration’s commitment to career readiness and real-world learning. Through strong partnerships with student organizations, the college continues to create opportunities that equip students with the knowledge, connections, and confidence to advance toward their professional goals.