Meet the Defense Industry event opens doors for CMU business students

For many Central Michigan University business students, the defense industry is not the first place they imagine building a career. But during the Meet the Defense Industry event, curiosity quickly replaced assumptions.

Hosted by the National Defense Industrial Association Michigan Chapter in partnership with Women in Defense, the event brought employers from companies such as BAE Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems and American Rheinmetall to campus. Students moved from table to table asking questions, exploring opportunities and learning how their business skills could apply in an industry they may not have previously considered.

For Maya Birch, a senior majoring in purchasing and supply management from Chesaning, Mich., the event aligned directly with her career interests.

“I decided to come to the defense thing because I am interested in financial procurement and sourcing jobs, and it seemed like there were a lot of opportunities for good networking within the industry,” Birch said.

Raising awareness about defense careers

Nancy Loerch, a director on the board for the National Defense Industrial Association’s Michigan Chapter, said the event was designed to introduce students to an industry they often know little about.

“We believe students really don’t get an opportunity to hear about our defense industry,” Loerch said. “The event is very much to provide awareness of what our Defense Michigan Industry Association is all about.”

Rather than functioning as a traditional career fair, Loerch said the event was meant to spark conversation and help students better understand the range of roles available.

“Today would be good to just make sure you talk to various companies and better understand what opportunities there might be in the industry for you as you graduate and look at career opportunities,” she said.

Rethinking the defense industry

Birch said one of the biggest misconceptions business students have about defense careers is how narrowly they view opportunity.

“I feel like they lock themselves into a mindset where they can only work one job,” she said. “They don’t think of starting at an entry-level job and then working their way up to their dream job.”

She added that many students want to begin immediately in their ideal role or industry, rather than seeing defense as a place to explore and grow.

“Especially here, you may not think, ‘Oh, I want to work in defense,’ but maybe there’s an entry-level position in defense that will lead you into an industry that you really like once you know the right people or once you start networking within certain areas,” she said.

As students moved from table to table, Birch said conversations revealed roles that are not always visible on job boards.

“There are opportunities that you don’t know about until you specifically ask people and get to hear about the needs of the industry that they are looking for,” she said. “There are jobs being created that you don’t know about and that aren’t exactly being advertised.”

Employers looking beyond engineering

For employers, the event offered an opportunity to connect with students who may not realize how broadly business skills apply in the defense sector.

Calvin Woodside, who works at General Dynamics Land Systems, said the company recruits across nearly every business discipline.

“We’re looking at everything from all disciplines of engineering to business,” Woodside said. “We’re looking at finance, supply chain, logistics, even HR — program managers, financial analysis and accountants.”

His advice to students was straightforward.

“Once you get your foot in the door, nobody is going to expect you to be the most competent person,” Woodside said. “You can demonstrate your ability to learn, grow and get better at your job.”

Mission-driven work at BAE Systems

That message resonated with Valorie Anderson-Branch, a Program Manager who represented BAE Systems and emphasized both mission and collaboration.

“Our theme is, ‘We protect those that protect us,’” Anderson-Branch said. “So, we have a huge passion for making sure we are doing the best for the Soldier in every capacity.”

Anderson-Branch said business students play a critical role in supporting that mission, especially in areas such as business development, finance, contracts and procurement.

“Key qualities include open-mindedness, adaptability and the ability to be a team player,” she said. “It’s important to demonstrate leadership and collaboration, and also knowing when to speak up and when to listen to learn.”

When asked to name the most important trait for interns moving into full-time roles, Anderson-Branch pointed to collaboration.

“Being a team player is very important,” she said. “There are times when you need to get in the trenches, push through and work with other people to make sure the goal happens.”

Students exploring long-term potential

For Nathan Welch, a public administration major with a minor in finance from Grand Rapids, Mich., the event reinforced his interest in the field.

“It’s a growing industry. It’s government-backed,” Welch said. “There’s a strong long-term growth opportunity within the sector.”

Welch said events like this help students see how one role can lead to another.

“One of these places could lead to bigger opportunities down the line for larger sectors, larger companies and larger firms in the defense industry,” he said.

He said students who succeed are often those willing to learn and stay curious.

“It’s the ability to be teachable, learn the systems and learn the processes of the firm,” Welch said. “When you understand how everything works, it all clicks together.”

Preparing students for complex, real-world careers

Events like Meet the Defense Industry reflect CMU’s broader commitment to preparing students for careers that span business, technology and public-sector challenges. Through employer engagement, experiential learning and interdisciplinary coursework, students gain exposure to industries they may not have previously considered—and the confidence to navigate them.

That preparation is reinforced by CMU’s designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, awarded by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Across disciplines, students develop the technical and strategic skills needed to adapt, lead and succeed in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.