Jillian Arbeiter

“I chose to come to Carthage for many reasons, but there are three that stand out in particular. As someone who is passionate about travel, the study abroad program at Carthage was one of the biggest selling points for me. The small class sizes were very important as well, as I have found this setting to be very beneficial for my learning. Lastly, in a way, it was a legacy decision. I saw the amazing experience my sister, Sydney Arbeiter ’22, had her freshman year, and I wanted something similar for myself.”

“There are many Carthage faculty members who have shaped my college career significantly and who have invested so much into my success, most notably, Professor Chao Zheng. It was his Corporate Finance class that piqued my interest in adding a finance major. He worked through scheduling hoops and gave me the encouragement I needed to actually do it. In addition to that and being a great professor, he has been a constant supporter as I explore opportunities in and outside of Carthage, whether they be related to academics, extra-curricular, employment, or study abroad opportunities. My college career would have been very different had Prof. Zheng not encouraged me to see my own potential.”

“My favorite class is my Senior Seminar class taught by Professor Carter Rockhill. While I was admittedly dreading this class for the longest time, I am enjoying it so much now that I am taking it. The class allows me to design my thesis around what I am specifically passionate about. Prof. Rockhill has done a great job of creating a welcoming and encouraging environment where we can create a business proposal that benefits us in our careers and allows us to explore an area of high interest. I am relating my paper to the student organization Enactus and writing a proposal called ‘A Head for Business and a Heart for the World: The Enactus approach to poverty alleviation through entrepreneurship.’”

“One of my toughest classes thus far has also been one of the most rewarding ones. Last fall, I took Legal Environment of Business taught by Professor Michael Phegley. While this class was difficult, it held my attention from start to finish, and I genuinely enjoyed the work I did. Due to his vast experience as a lawyer, his teaching methods, and real-world examples, Prof. Phegley taught me many things that I will be able to apply in different career settings.”

“I am also the president of Carthage Enactus, which has been my home for the last four years. Enactus is an entrepreneurial collegiate organization that works to achieve the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We are an inclusive team that prioritizes service, sustainability, and relationships and welcomes members of all majors and backgrounds!”

“I’ve had many amazing opportunities at Carthage. Last January, I traveled to Spain with Professor Matt Borden and twenty fellow Carthaginians for a three-week-long J-Term study tour. This trip was the perfect compliment for my Spanish minor and improved my Spanish speaking significantly. I was able to travel to multiple cities, partake in authentic experiences such as cooking and dance classes, and experience the culture first-hand as I had a homestay experience for the entirety of my trip. I also had the privilege of speaking at the Carthage Business and Professional Coalition to share the incredible work of our Carthage Enactus student organization.”

“I have two on-campus jobs — working as a program coordinator for our Center For Faith and Spirituality and working as a student assistant to President John Swallow.

“This past summer, I had the opportunity to work at the corporate headquarters for Kohls as an HR compensation intern! This internship provided me with so much exposure to the different functions of HR and allowed me to dive deep into the world of compensation. The experience was a huge compliment to all three of my majors, as I worked on multiple projects that targeted different areas. The highlights were getting exposure to senior leadership, working on a collaborative project with my fellow HR interns related to DEI, and competing in an intern “Shark Tank”-style competition.”

“After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in human resources, as it encompasses all three of my majors and passions. I will be working full-time at the Corporate Headquarters of Kohl’s in their HR department!”

“My favorite spot on campus is the winding path between The Oaks and Madrigrano Hall. I have walked this path many times, and every time, it takes my breath away. Walking on it immediately puts me in a good mood and reminds me of how lucky we are to have such a beautiful campus.”

“My favorite moments are the ‘Aha’ moments that I have had. Whether it was when I found the student organization that became my home during freshman year, discovered a third area of passion and found a way to fit it into my 4-year plan, successfully implemented a passion project in Enactus that serves the Kenosha community, or creating my dream thesis topic after two previous attempts, there are so many good memories. As a shoutout to my Enactus team, my favorite Enactus moment would have to be exploring Times Square on our trip to the Enactus National Competition in New York.”

“The biggest surprise so far has been learning to embrace the unknown. I have been a planner and control freak for a very long time, and I was forced outside of my comfort zone when coming to college. I learned quickly that there is very little in life that you can actually anticipate and plan for, and therefore the skill of being open-minded and adaptive will take you far in life. So many changes occurred in my college career that were both for the better and unexpected. Having the courage to be open-minded and accept change or a track that I hadn’t planned out in my head took my experience to the next level.”

“Other students should consider majoring in management, marketing, and/or finance due to the versatility and creativity of these fields. They open the door to a career that is both stable and exciting, where passion and innovation are encouraged. Studying these three areas together has given me a very well-rounded understanding of how the economy and business fields work. These majors have also provided me with incredible internships and post-college employment opportunities that will kick-start my career.”

“My 8-year-old self would think I am absolutely insane. I was so incredibly shy and timid at eight, especially in school. I am so proud of how far I have come in my confidence. I’ve gotten to the point where pushing myself outside of my comfort zone has really become a hobby. Whether it be in terms of public speaking, seeking opportunities, taking on responsibilities, making friends, or academics, I have come a long way in my confidence.”