This is part of #EberlyAmazingStudents, a series from the IUP Eberly College of Business and Information Technology that focuses on students who are involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities.
Hannah Place is an MBA student at IUP with an expected graduation date of May 2020. Hannah also got her undergraduate degree from IUP in Human Resource Management and has been an active member of the Delta Zeta sorority during her time here.
Hannah is from Athens, Pennsylvania, a small town five minutes from the New York border. Hannah decided to attend IUP after she heard the positive experiences her aunt had during her time at IUP, as well as a positive experience during her tour of the school. She knew she wanted to pursue a degree in business, but was unsure what area suited her best. After changing her major three times, she landed on human resources because it was the topic that she found most interesting. After graduating in August 2019, she decided to stay to finish her master's because it was a great opportunity that her advisor introduced to her.
Hannah participated in the early MBA program, which allowed her to take classes as an undergrad for credits toward her MBA. This opportunity has allowed her to graduate with her master's in just one year. She also works as a graduate assistant for Associate Dean Cynthia Strittmatter, helping her with various projects within Eberly.
"Working as a graduate assistant has given me a different perspective on Eberly," said Hannah. "I get to see and be involved in behind-the-scenes tasks that keep Eberly running smoothly. I have improved various communication and technical skills through my experience as a graduate assistant and got the chance to connect with co-workers and more faculty along the way.
"While studying in Eberly, I have learned so much through the experiences the professors shared about their careers. I felt most inspired in Dr. Kosicek's classroom as shared the many the issues he has faced within the business world, specifically in human resources."
During Hannah's time at IUP, she was an involved member of Delta Zeta. While she was on the executive board as the treasurer, she had to make difficult decisions regarding other sisters' well-being as well as maintaining the finances of the sorority. She explained, "Being on the executive board and having to handle decisions with discretion furthered my interest in the HR field."
After graduation, Hannah will be starting a full-time job at Vanguard in Charlotte, North Carolina. "Through my time at IUP and in Eberly, I have pushed myself to succeed in my studies. I have obtained the knowledge and skills from my professors to help me succeed in landing a job and starting my career. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to meet so many faculty and students through my time at IUP."
About #EberlyAmazingStudents
The #EberlyAmazingStudents series features students who are involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities. Associate Dean Cyndy Strittmatter is overseeing the project. "We are proud of our students who balance their academics with extracurricular activities and recognize the commitment that it takes to excel at all levels. We look forward to sharing their accomplishments with the IUP community and beyond!