Student Success Stories

COBE Career Services helped me overcome imposter syndrome – which is the negative belief that I am NOT qualified and someone else deserves this opportunity over me. To prepare for interviews, I had several mock interview meetings with Monique Halgat, who was gracious and patient as I struggled to answer the mock questions. She helped me structure, tailor, and elevate my academic experience into coherent talking points related to common interview questions. She analyzed my experience and helped me work through the reasons why I actually am qualified and deserving of opportunities. I am grateful to COBE Career Services for truly caring about students and their growth.

My advice to students who are in a similar position is to take advantage of COBE resources and campus communities. Surround yourself with likeminded people who inspire you to work hard. And lastly, be a ‘yes man.’ College is largely about growth, so you must accept change in order to do so. Yes, join that club. Yes, attend that networking event. Yes, be engaged in class. If I never went out of my comfort zone in all of these ways, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

COBE Career Services has benefited me in making it so simple to book an appointment for as long as needed to prepare for future-career related events. The staff dedicates their time and knowledge on the workforce to students and motivates students to put their best foot forward to be successful post-grad. The time I spent with Laura allowed me to feel confident and prepared going into both of my interviews. Following the interview, Laura regularly reached out for updates regarding the interviews, how I felt, and the final outcome of getting offered the position.

If you are ever feeling uneasy or unprepared for anything career related, you should schedule a time to meet with a career advisor. For something as simple as drafting an email to a future employer or conducting a mock-interview, they are dedicated to your success and willing to take time to get you as prepared as possible.

COBE Career Services have been extremely helpful through every step of the internship seeking process. From dialing in your LinkedIn profile to enhancing your networking skills, they equip you with the skills needed for success. I would highly recommend taking advantage of this great resource.

If I can lend any advice to those who are in similar positions as I was, I would simply say: you get out what you put in during college. Work hard in your classes and reward yourself when it pays off. Get active and involved in your community. Check out the clubs on campus and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. Above all, have fun, surround yourself with good people, and work hard to the best of your ability. Rest assured, it pays off.

Working in the world of sports is difficult to break into and there were many times I felt discouraged, but I kept pushing forward. I always felt so supported by COBE Career Services, my managers, teachers, friends and family, and I do not think I would be here without them.

I found COBE Career Coaching services to be extremely helpful, especially when it came to the interview process. They helped me with mock interviews, adjusted my resume and cover letter, and taught me how to properly communicate with potential employers.

From the first time I walked into Career Services as a sophomore, I knew I would graduate with a good job. They have been with me every step of the way to help with resumes, internships, cover letters, anything you could really think of. They wanted me to be successful almost more than I wanted to be successful. And I really want to be successful.

COBE Career Services made obtaining an internship possible for me. They have benefited me in numerous ways by helping update my LinkedIn, touch up my resume, and find internships to apply to. They also gave me confidence in myself and finding the right role for me.

My advice for any students in the same position would be to not let any no’s deter you or intimidate you from continuing to apply to different positions! Rejection is redirection, continue to put yourself out there. Always utilize the resources around you, especially COBE career services, they are there to help.

My advice to students in COBE is to use the career coaching services, because they are free to you, and they can only help you in your quest to find a first job, advance your career, or navigate a career pivot. I was able to be better prepared for my interview. I did one of the deep breathing exercises Monique shared in her follow up email right before the interview and had my story toolbox full of relevant stories. I was calm and confident during the interview, and I ended up being chosen for the job!

Getting my internship was possible because of COBE Career Services. Each time a job I was interested in was published, I started catering my resume accordingly with Career Services’ help. I did a mock interviews 2-3 days before the interview and by doing that I always was able to perform great during the interview. Career Services understands what are the questions that might be asked during an interview for a position. I was not surprised that the interviews I attended asked at least 2 questions from the mock interview.

I was also able to utilize the Atkins Law Career Closet which helped me by providing attire for my interviews. COBE Career Services was always available to help and that was the main reason I got my internship!

COBE Career Services benefited me by giving me resources that expand my resume and interviewing processes. They provided me with quick and useful responses to questions I had about networking and using social platforms for opportunities. My career coach, Monique, guided me in creating and refining my resume, as well as helping me set up an online presence through LinkedIn.

My takeaway is to never give up even if things seem unattainable. Mistakes will be made and it will feel discouraging. As long as we learn from them it will benefit us in the long run. Sometimes we may not get our dream job or internship at first. But, life will lead us down a different path in order to get us where we want to be in the end.

I have learned about the search process for jobs, internships, and post-graduation opportunities that you need to be extremely resilient.  Don’t give up.  Keep researching and taking every opportunity.  My advice to other COBE students would be to use all of the resources COBE has to offer. Start using those resources earlier in the fall semester. COBE Career Services helped me with my resume and practicing interviewing.

As a first generation college graduate, I learned going through the job seeking process can be very challenging and difficult. I never thought landing a job could be so hard. After going through months of job seeking and interviewing, I had learned to apply for all the job opportunities out there and don’t self reject.

COBE Career Services offered the chance to have my resume and cover letter looked at. I received lots of feedback on how professional my resume and cover letter is. This is something that is very important to me. A strong and professional looking resume and cover letter is the first step in job seeking so it has to be well prepared. I couldn’t thank the COBE Career Services team enough for taking the time to help me polish my resume and cover letter as a student.

In Fall of 2020, I began thinking of potential internships. I met with COBE Career Services to work on my resume and interview skills. During our meeting she suggested attending a Goldman Sachs workshop that was happening that week. After the workshop, I applied to an internship with Goldman Sachs, but figured I wouldn’t be accepted. I thought it would just be a good learning experience.

To my surprise, I got a Hirevue interview and then was asked to be a part of Superday (second round interviews). By the time I was called for Superday, I had practiced a lot and decided to not put so much pressure on myself. I was genuine with the Goldman interviewers and honestly enjoyed talking to them.

You never really know how far you’ll go until you try. I want to encourage other students to take advantage of the resources available in COBE. Visiting Career Services and making connections with advisors and professors will help you gain exposure to opportunities and new experiences. Knowing that these resources want to help you and see you succeed is a great feeling.

Searching for jobs can be difficult. Endless amounts of applications, interviews, and time spent networking can end up going nowhere. But, it also ends up being great practice, as the more I did it the more comfortable I was in reaching out to employers.

Throughout my job search, I worked closely with COBE Career Services. Anytime I needed assistance with a professional task, such as tweaking my resume, filling out an application, and even how to write a great follow up email, they were there. Through career events, I was also able to gain face to face time with Armanino’s recruiters, which I think helped give me confidence and make better job decisions.

My big takeaway for other students is to put yourself out there. As an intern at Armanino, I asked people I was connected with for a reference into my preferred department. People are usually happy to help, and I was able to use my relationships in one department to create relationships in the department I wanted to end up in. Sending an email to see if someone has time to chat about their position, day to day work, and what they enjoy about the company can go a long way to getting your foot in the door.

I want to tell other students – don’t be afraid to reach out, and just keep applying! It can take awhile, sometimes you will hear back from a job you applied to months later. You never know what is going to stick. Actually put an effort into your cover letters, and proper follow ups after interviews or applying. Employers appreciate when you thank them for the opportunity to interview. This is the advice that I got from working with a COBE career advisor.

My career advisor told me to not be afraid to reach out to companies by finding contacts on their websites. I did that to reach out to Phvntom since I had not heard anything back from just my application. Right after emailing them directly, I had secured an interview because they liked my initiative. My career advisor also helped me update my resume, and research all the marketing agencies in Boise. That way I was familiar with all of them throughout my internship search.

Landing that first internship in your field can be difficult, especially when you are competing for a position against people with more experience. However, once you have that first internship in your field, it is so much easier to get a job after college. So, use your resources, do what your career advisors say, and don’t get discouraged. These things take time, and eventually something will work out! This is the time to experience, learn, and figure out what you want to do. The more you get out of your internships – the more you will have to talk about in future interviews to prove why you are a great asset.

Each and every COBE professor and advisor has been a stepping stone in my journey to success. They led me to the wonderful company I am now working for post graduation. COBE Career Services was also instrumental. Their help and guidance on my cover letters, resumes, interview questions, feedback, and much more, all helped me prepare for and go as far as I did.

As an account coordinator, I know that I have much to learn, however in my company I will have plenty of opportunities to grow. I hope to end up in a management position one day giving chances to students fresh out of college like I am now.

The one thing I wish would have done different is to take advantage of opportunities like the Bronco Corps sooner. It would’ve been awesome to have done something like that as a Junior or Sophomore. Bronco Corps helped prepare me for the future by giving me real life experience before I was on the job search. This experience gave me a glimpse of potential duties and tasks I could encounter at a job post graduation. Lastly, I learned how to enhance my group work skills and interactions with upper management.

Overall, I am grateful for the doors that were opened because of my time at COBE. You really will get out what you put in!

During my undergrad, COBE Career Services helped me improve my resume readability and gave great advice on how to tackle finding my first professional job. I got my first job at Clearwater using strategies I learned from COBE Career Services coaches and workshops.

Looking forward, I aspire to lead a team of specialists in a technical field. I’d like to end up in either a project management role, or a technical manager role of a data team. And I believe my current position with Amazon as a Data and Reporting Analyst is a step closer to that aspiration. My career so far has been a wonderful adventure and I love my Boise State story.

I was originally introduced to Red Aspen through the COBE job/internship board. They had a Treehouse Support position open and I applied. The Treehouse team at Red Aspen understood my desire to enter the HR field and informed me that an opportunity would be available for me contingent on exemplary performance. After a few months and amazing company growth, they were able to offer me a full time position of People Services Leader. I cannot imagine working anywhere else. This job is absolutely perfect for my goals and personality.

My advice to current students is to apply for lots of jobs. You never know what opportunities you might be introduced to. But also focus on finding fulfillment. Don’t just settle for ‘a job’. Find what you love doing that makes you feel fulfilled. Also, I definitely took advantage of the COBE Career Services during my undergrad. I participated in career fairs, workshops, used the Career Closet to my advantage, and made appointments with the staff for help on my resume and cover letters. All those resources and events are absolutely there for you to succeed and grow professionally and personally. Their entire staff truly wants to see you succeed and will guide you as needed.

After graduation, I will be starting a role with Goldman Sachs, working in real estate investing. My involvement with career-focused clubs and organizations, and COBE Career Services have helped me to reach for this role. During my sophomore year, a few Kappa Sigma brothers and I took on leadership roles in the Financial Management Association. In our first semester, we visited Goldman Sachs in Salt Lake City. This experience led to an internship and eventual full-time job offer.

I cannot praise COBE enough, as there are unparalleled opportunities for growth. COBE Career Services has always been supportive throughout my time at Boise State. Laura Chiuppi and Brandon Armstrong have been instrumental in where I am today. I visited COBE Career Services in my first semester to discuss what I could do to prepare for internships.

The advice they provided led me to find a job as an Accounting Assistant for Financial Services, Campus Operations. This was a great job to hold while in school because it was on-campus and fit around my class schedule. I learned a lot about the elementary elements of working in an office. I developed Excel skills and saw how Boise State functioned on an operational level.

My advice to other students is to get involved, use available services, and get more sleep! While all my failures and mistakes have helped get me to where I am today, I suppose one thing I would have done differently is to put more emphasis on sleep. Honestly, most people have no idea about how important sleep is.

My piece of advice to other students would be to follow your curiosity. Prioritize professional experience (internships, jobs, programs like WorkU) over academics. Focus on what makes you unique as a candidate. Don’t be afraid to poke and prod at complex problems that interest you. COBE has been instrumental to planning my career, whether it be by offering a speaker series or helping with my resume. I always feel like they care about my success.

COBE Career Services, along with Jennie Myers and Brad Weigle, helped me construct my resume and clarify how I wasn’t just a candidate that met the minimum qualifications, but stood out amongst a crowd. Faculty and staff here at Boise State made me feel excited to begin my career, rather than nervous.

As a Idaho transplant, COBE has been instrumental for establishing a professional network in a place I want to live. Opportunities arise from connections and COBE is an excellent resource for developing connections. Through classes, professors, and Career Services, students can become involved in the Idaho business community.

I first met with Brandon Armstrong who helped me refine my resume and LinkedIn profile. This contributed to a sense of confidence in applications and interviews. Then, I reached out to Laura specifically about the Procurement Intern position because of her relationship with the Simplot recruiter. Laura is a great contact point for students seeking career opportunities.

One of my MBA goals at the beginning of the year was to secure a competitive internship with an Idaho based company. I accomplished this with the help of Career Services and my internship has been extended through the school year. I now hope to be hired as a full-time employee after graduation.

Over the summer, I had the tremendous opportunity to intern at Goldman Sachs. Starting in January of 2021, I will be a full-time global markets analyst at the firm in the Dallas office. I hope to make a career in the financial services industry, and eventually in investment management.

For me, the College of Business and Economics was an outstanding medium to both learn and network. COBE Career Services  especially helped. They helped with networking, sharpening my professional skills, improving my written and oral communication, and consulting me on career direction. This resource was integral to getting my internship and starting at a great firm to begin my career. I highly recommend to students, and especially younger ones, to leverage career services in COBE as a resource to ultimately start their career the way they want!

COBE is a place where students can go to feel welcomed and supported by professors, other fellow students, and the staff. The COBE Career Services office is an asset to the business college that all students should be taking advantage of. From hosting large career fairs and networking events, to meeting one-on-one with a career specialist, to providing students with helpful resources such as resume paper and the Skype Room (now Connect Room), COBE Career Services can help you no matter the scale.

Throughout every meeting I had with Laura, it was apparent that she truly cared about my success and was willing to ensure I had a contact to speak with at the companies I was interested in. Laura helped me take specific skills I acquired as a data analyst intern at Albertsons Companies and apply them to the current position I was applying for in preparation for interviews.

My advice to other COBE students is to get involved with school programs and internships early in your academic career. Even if you don’t know exactly what career path you want to pursue, these experiences can enlighten you on what you don’t want to do, which can be just as valuable.

COBE Career Services played a crucial role in my recruiting experience. I am especially thankful to Laura for her guidance through the process. Laura was very enthusiastic and encouraging. She took the time to get to know me and the professional I want to grow into. Consequently, she helped me streamline my message, which allowed me to present my authentic self during the recruiting process.

When I first reached out, I wasn’t aware of all the different services that are available to students. I encourage every student to take advantage of the great resources that COBE Career Services offers. If I had to do anything differently, I would reach out to COBE Career Services sooner. I went through the first recruiting season without any guidance and wasn’t successful. Since working with COBE Career Services and moving into my role at Deloitte, I feel confident that I will be successful in public accounting and my career.

Going into summer internship recruiting season I had a half finished resume. Brandon helped me format and emphasize key attributes from my past work and studies. This helped me attract application examiners’ attention for internships that I had interest in. My advice to fellow COBE students is to try to get a Fall/Spring internships Junior year. The more experience you have on graduation day the more marketable you’ll be in the job market.

Using COBE Career Services during my job/internship search was crucial for my professional success. Laura consistently worked with me to customize my resume and cover letters to build a story that meets each reader’s needs. Sometimes it was incorporating words that were in the job description, and sometimes it was by adding certain elements to my resume that I missed.

Working with COBE Career Services gave me incredible confidence during my interviews which proved that I can best meet my employer’s requirements; and the support didn’t stop after receiving an internship, COBE Career Services continued to offer additional support by helping me add my accomplishments to my portfolio, and making my profile better each time. This support not only helped me with receiving three internships, but also an honorary Top 10 Scholar award for the graduating class for the academic year 2018-2019. I am going to be forever grateful for the mentorship I received from COBE Career Services and attribute most of my success to them.

COBE Career Services has played a crucial role in helping me acquire valuable internship experiences. Their practical advice and willingness to go above and beyond to assist me has been tremendous throughout the hiring process. By taking advantage of networking events and career fairs, I have been able to connect with potential employers and narrow down my interests. After I graduate, it is my goal to obtain my CFA certification and work for an investment bank. Networking is a major part of your career and everyone who is not utilizing those opportunities are forfeiting a share of their potential success.

Having access to the COBE Career Services has been a great asset. Their team was invaluable in preparing for recruiting season, and I frequently met with them to review my resume and participate in mock interviews. The advice I received helped me stand out as a candidate and gave me the confidence to walk into interviews feeling calm, collected, and prepared to be myself. I recommend every student visit the COBE Career Services throughout their college careers, and not wait until their Senior year to start thinking about careers after graduation.