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Save the Date: Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum on Dec. 9

Jane Majkiewicz — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 16:44:48 +0000

Save the Date: Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum on Dec. 9 Jane Majkiewicz Mon, 11/25/2024 - 09:44

The 60th annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum will look ahead to what’s in store for 2025.

The 2025 Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum will be held on December 9, 2024, at the Grand Hyatt Denver.

This year marks the 60th edition of the annual outlook, which forecasts Colorado’s economy for the next year, including projected job numbers, industry predictions and potential economic challenges. It provides analysis of 11 industries across the state.

The annual forecast is compiled by the Leeds Business Research Division (BRD) in partnership with several businesses, nonprofits and government entities.

This year’s event will feature a new, pre-conference workshop focused on artificial intelligence and its role in the state’s economic and educational landscape. Additional breakout sessions will look at key Colorado industry clusters, real estate and energy.

Get the Forecast

The annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum takes place Dec. 9 at the Grand Hyatt Denver.

The event is free to attend, but registration is required.

Agenda
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.—Optional AI workshop
12:30 p.m.—Check in
1 p.m.—Opening remarks, Colorado economic outlook for 2025
2 p.m.—Keynote
3-4:30 p.m.—Breakout sessions: energy, key industry clusters, real estate
4:30-5:30 p.m.—Networking reception

The 60th annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum will look ahead to what’s in store for 2025.

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Career Paths: How Mary Boling Made a Major Career Pivot

Kelsey Cipolla — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 16:53:51 +0000

Career Paths: How Mary Boling Made a Major Career Pivot Kelsey Cipolla Thu, 11/14/2024 - 09:53

Jane Majkiewicz

By pursuing her MBA at Leeds, Mary Boling orchestrated a career pivot from education to a rewarding role in the clean energy field.

Right after graduation, Mary Boling (MBA’24) started an exciting role as an associate with the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA). She works on the market insights team tracking clean energy deals—an entirely new direction from her previous career in education.

So, how did she make such a dramatic shift?

For Boling, it boiled down to self-awareness and seizing opportunities.

“No one is going to work harder for you to get a job than you,” she said. “You have to connect the dots.”

The value of an MBA

Boling had been teaching in Houston for three years as part of the Teach for America program when she and her husband moved to Colorado. She didn’t have a job lined up when they arrived, but through networking, she found roles in enrollment and student recruitment at Rocky Mountain Prep, a Denver-based charter school network.

After five more years in education, Boling felt ready to deepen her roots in Colorado. It also felt like the right time for a career change. She saw how colleagues had expanded their skills through advanced degrees.

“A master’s degree is one of many levers you can use to help shape your career,” she said. For her, pursuing an MBA helped craft a narrative around her career transition. It also created opportunities she knew would have been challenging to access or orchestrate without a program to offer resources.

But Boling didn’t go to grad school knowing she wanted to work in sustainability. She just knew she wanted to make an impact, and she believed she could do that outside of education. She approached the graduate school experience as an opportunity for self-exploration: What skills do I already have that are transferable? And where are my blind spots?

Then, she actively sought the answers.

“No one is going to work harder for you to get a job than you.”

Mary Boling (MBA’24)

The power of asking questions

She began to clarify her direction while attending conferences on combating climate change. She reflected on parallels she had noticed with how people advocate for educational equity, and it resonated with her background in teaching, advocacy and pushing forward efforts like DEI initiatives.

“The first thing that struck me was the clear action around procuring clean energy,” she said. That ultimately led Boling to pursue the Clean Energy MBA Pathway through the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility at Leeds.

“CESR, in general, was a great resource,” Boling said, pointing to the Energy Finance Bootcamp and networking events as highlights. She was even honored by the center with an Impact Buff Award in 2024 for her contributions.

Being a networker

Boling’s work experience had already helped her flex her networking muscle, but she further developed it at Leeds, she said. She was intentional about tapping into every available resource: career guidance, internships, conferences, one-to-one conversations and classes, such as one that involved a semester of consulting work with Optera, a Leeds alumni-founded company, where Boling made great contacts and better understood which skills she could transfer to the climate tech space.

“There’s only so much you can learn on the Internet about a company’s culture or what they’re looking for,” she said. Networking helped her discover job opportunities she might not have found otherwise. “You might know the shiny names of big companies, but through conversations, you find out about startups or smaller companies doing similar things.”

In fact, it was through a conversation that Boling discovered the Clean Energy Buyers Association. A contact pointed out that Boling’s education experience was well aligned with the organization’s mission to create awareness around clean energy. She began monitoring CEBA’s job board, and when the right opportunity came along, she already had a networking connection to help her resume stand out.

Leeds also equipped Boling with two components required for her job application: For a presentation sample, she waa able to use material from the International Duke University Energy in Emerging Markets Case Competition, for which her team pitched to Okra Solar, an Australian climate tech startup. For her writing sample, she submitted a final paper from her Socially Responsible Enterprise MBA class.

Being the solution

Sustainability is a field with immense potential for growth. Green job seekers are 29% more likely to get hired, according to Forbes.

“There’s a great deal of momentum [in sustainability], so that means there’s also a lot of competition,” Boling said. “You have to know what you’re going to provide. At the end of the day, they're paying you to help them push their work forward. Are you bringing in a network, or do you have experience solving similar problems?”

During her internship as a change manager at Alterra Mountain Company, Boling’s manager helped her connect with the company’s sustainability team, and while onsite for a project in Vermont, she connected with the sustainability lead. She also talked with a fellow CU MBA student who was working there as a sustainability intern. Through her work and those discussions, Boling got to see how change management plays a crucial role in launching sustainability initiatives. She could frame her skills as a competitive edge.

Being resilient

Like most job seekers, Boling faced some rejections and lack of responses along the way. She learned not to take those as a sign of being incompetent or incapable, knowing they could be related to other circumstances, like an internal hire. Her friend gave her a great analogy: “A job search is like water finding cracks to flow through—you just need to keep moving.”

As Boling dives deeper into the clean energy industry, her practice in resilience will come in handy.

She was inspired by a recent webinar that discussed mental fatigue when confronting the daunting task of climate change. “One thing they brought up is that to see progress, you need to make sure you’re replenished,” she said.

“I think the questions I always have in the back of my head are, ‘Where can I be plugging in? Do I feel like what I've done has had an impact, whether it’s at a macro level, or even at a micro level?’” It helps to focus on small, incremental wins to stay positive, she emphasized. “You have to pay attention to what you can control.”

By pursuing her MBA at Leeds, Mary Boling orchestrated a career pivot from education to a rewarding role in the clean energy field.

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How AI Can Enhance the Accuracy of Eyewitness Identification

Kelsey Cipolla — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 20:42:16 +0000

How AI Can Enhance the Accuracy of Eyewitness Identification Kelsey Cipolla Thu, 11/07/2024 - 13:42

New research examines how natural language processing tools can help mitigate bias in eyewitness lineup statements.

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How Frida Formann Is Mastering Basketball and Business

Kelsey Cipolla — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 18:24:19 +0000

How Frida Formann Is Mastering Basketball and Business Kelsey Cipolla Thu, 11/07/2024 - 11:24

Jane Majkiewicz

Basketball is in Frida Formann’s (EvnSt’24, MBusAn’25) DNA.

Her parents met in the gym, and her father coached her mother when they were dating. “I don’t know how they made it through that, but they did,” Formann laughed.

Fast forward four kids and several grandchildren later, and the whole family is in on the game back in her homeland of Denmark. Her sister and brother even started a team called Baby Sharks for 2-to-5-year-olds. Formann’s mother, at 60, still plays once a week.

So, there’s that family legacy, and one other thing: Formann, a guard now in her fifth year on the CU women’s basketball team, also happens to be good at the game. Really good. Last year, she became Colorado’s all-time 3-point leader. Headlines regularly followed her success, like March Madness’ “Colorado’s Frida Formann lit up LSU with 7 threes” and ESPN’s “Frida Formann sinks it from downtown.”

CU’s BuffZone.com featured a Daily Camera article quoting the team’s assistant coach Shelley Sheetz: “It’s really cool to have a front row seat watching Frida. … I see her work ethic. I see her getting extra shots up. I see her being a student of the game.”

Formann foresees basketball playing a role in her life for a “very, very long time.”

“My plan after graduating is to enter the WNBA draft and see what the options are, and then definitely continue with a professional basketball career, in whatever country that might be.”

Boosting confidence

Formann isn’t only a student of basketball. She returned to CU for a fifth year to earn her master’s in business analytics, a program now in its tenth year at Leeds. It appealed to her for the ways it could complement her bachelor’s in environmental studies, bringing in the business lens of “what is valuable to a company and where they might not want to spend as much time or money.”

“The business analytics program has taught me how to be able to talk to executives, how to develop a strategy that they can use,” she said.

Through that she’s gained something she can take onto the court and equally into the boardroom: confidence.

“I think I came here and kind of was trying to hide a little bit,” she said. “I've learned now from the American culture that it’s OK to really think highly of yourself—as long as you put action behind it, and as long as you’re still kind and a good teammate. It’s OK to know that you’re one of the best.”

“It’s OK to know that you’re one of the best.”

Frida Formann (EvnSt’24, MBusAn’25)

Formann has found parallels between excelling in sports and succeeding in business. Working with big datasets has given her an even deeper appreciation for small details.

“It reminds me of going back and watching film on a game or going back and looking at a scouting report and figuring out what are the little key moments where you could change something. What are little things that were good or bad, and then trying to figure out together how to implement new strategies. I can do that with data, and I can do it with basketball.”

Building a sense of community

For Formann, developing a fluency in data, as with basketball and English, is ultimately underpinned by the universal language of culture and community.

“My parents always preached building community and showing up not just for kids, but for everyone who needed it. That’s something I try to apply to being a leader on the team. Everyone is deserving of a spot there and everyone needs to feel valued,” she said.

Although this year’s team includes 10 new teammates, Formann is optimistic about the season. “With a new team, it just shows what culture we’ve built here at CU—that it’s a culture of consistent work, and no matter what players come in, we are true to CU and to basketball.”

Cultivating a culture of care

Formann knew nothing about CU when she applied, but she wanted to get into a bigger market for basketball, fell in love with the school and was thrilled to get a scholarship. She arrived in 2020 during the pandemic. Between that and being an international student, she knows what it’s like to feel out of place.

“It was very isolating, you know, coming from Denmark and not knowing anyone. I only had my teammates and my coaches that I actually could interact with,” she said. Due to COVID, all her classes were on Zoom, and she ate all her meals alone.

“It was hard to navigate socially, but I was so focused on just coming here and playing basketball and doing the best I could. And luckily, I could do that. I could play a full season and actually perform,” she recalled.

“I think culture is everything because, you know, when someone gets injured or you have things that don’t go as you want them to go, the culture is really what carries you through,” she said.

Taking her best shot

This year, Formann wants to focus on leaving her mark and helping others as a team veteran, a leader, and as a female athlete. She’s passionate about advocating for women’s sports, particularly advancing salaries for women athletes and increasing media visibility to promote growth. She believes women athletes work equally as hard as men and are equally as inspirational.

As this year’s basketball season gains momentum, Formann knows when she steps on the court, her hours of training and studying all come into focus.

“Every time a game is about to start, it’s always exciting. It’s what you work so hard for,” she said.

“Knowing that I’ve put in the work, that I’ve had great preparation, makes me relax and just feel the joy in the moment.”

CU ��«��Ƶ’s women’s basketball standout Frida Formann (EvnSt’24, MBusAn’25) blends her competitive edge with strategic insights from her graduate studies in business analytics at Leeds.

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Shaping the Future Through a Sense of Place

Srishti Sharma — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 20:55:52 +0000

Shaping the Future Through a Sense of Place Srishti Sharma Mon, 11/04/2024 - 13:55

In marking Cheyenne Arapaho Hall’s 35th anniversary, CU’s Benny Shendo Jr. shared his personal journey, Native American history, and expanding opportunities for education and business.

What can a room full of first-year business students learn from a half-hour presentation in honor of a building’s birthday? Turns out plenty.

In honor of Cheyenne Arapaho Hall’s anniversary, Benny Shendo Jr. (Bus’87), CU’s associate vice chancellor of Native American affairs, was invited by the Leeds First-Year Experience program to share his personal journey and his special connection to the building. Students got the bonus of a crash course on Native American history and its ties to Colorado.

A storied past

Cheyenne Arapaho Hall sits on the ancestral homelands of the Arapaho and Cheyenne nations. “Nichols Hall: A Report” by CU Associate Professor of History Patricia Nelson Limerick, published in 1987, was instrumental in changing the building’s name in 1989 from Nichols Hall, which it was named in 1961.

Shendo’s efforts played a role in the change, along with the many students, staff, faculty, community members and allies who were part of peaceful demonstrations that had begun in the 1970s to protest the building’s name recognizing David H. Nichols. Those protests were fueled by the discovery that Nichols, one of the founders of CU ��«��Ƶ and the eighth lieutenant governor of Colorado, had participated in the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864.

The Sand Creek Massacre Foundation describes the event as “a chaotic, horrific, tumultuous, and bloody moment in American history and its enduring legacy.” The surprise attack killed more than 200 people who thought they were protected under a treaty. Many were women and children.

Lessons leading to a career

Shendo is an enrolled member of the Jemez Pueblo tribe and was born and raised on the reservation in north central New Mexico, arriving at CU as a transfer student in 1983 to study business. As a child, he spoke his native language and learned English through a Head Start program.

He also loved running, which proved to be an asset. “I ran for CU in the mid-80s. I was fortunate to make the team as a walk-on,” he said.

Those experiences and his business degree shaped Shendo’s career journey. After roles in student programming and recruiting at the University of New Mexico and as assistant dean of students at Stanford, Shendo returned to CU in a newly created position. He serves as a liaison between the campus and tribal communities across Colorado, as well as with the wider region covering the 46 tribes that have a historical connection to Colorado. He focuses on outreach and awareness to support programs for Native Americans and to bring students to campus.

Shendo has been committed to Native American advocacy throughout his inspiring career. He served as a cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs, as a lieutenant governor of his Pueblo, and as New Mexico state senator.

Opportunities for progress

Shendo noted that while Colorado passed a law two years ago allowing students from the 46 tribes with a historical connection to the state to attend institutions of higher education in Colorado at in-state tuition, there’s still room for improvement. While there are 574 recognized tribes across the U.S., Colorado is home to two federally recognized tribes—the Southern Ute and the Ute Mountain Ute.

Creating awareness and shaping policies has been an essential part of Shendo’s work. He strives to promote policies that can endure despite shifting conditions.

He explained that tribes are sovereign political entities with their own elected leaders and govern their own affairs within their respective tribal lands. “Tribes have a unique relationship with the federal government through treaty obligations, supreme court decisions and Congressional actions,” Shendo said.

Implications for business

Shendo discussed the importance of economic development in tribal communities. He pointed to the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act as a key moment for tribes in developing gaming operations. With those revenues, tribes have been able to invest in their own communities, creating infrastructure and essential resources, such as senior centers, daycares, roads, water quality and education.

“Some of these tribes have become some of the largest employers in their regions,” he noted, offering career opportunities that didn’t exist when he was an undergraduate.

“Today, tribes need business professionals in all areas to support their operations. Someday you may end up working for a tribe,” he said.

Understanding the past to shape the future

Shendo’s career is a testament to moving forward as we understand our history. With Cheyenne Arapaho Hall as a symbol of what’s possible, Shendo encouraged students to reflect on the places where they live and their historical significance, and to honor and respect them. “The spaces and places where we reside have their own history, and I hope that you will have an appreciation for this place that you live in because it’s named after the tribes that literally called this home,” he said. “I hope someday we can have our Arapaho, Cheyenne and other tribal brothers and sisters attending CU as well.”

As students returned to their rooms, no doubt they had an altered sense of the place they call home. Shendo left them with a deeper understanding of history and its impact—a promising prospect as they are poised to move forward in life and in business making some history of their own.

Learn more about the Leeds Residential Academic Program.

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When Will Singles’ Day Find Its Place in the US?

Kelsey Cipolla — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 20:47:34 +0000

When Will Singles’ Day Find Its Place in the US? Kelsey Cipolla Mon, 11/04/2024 - 13:47

With 25% of millennials projected to never marry, independence is becoming profitable. It’s time that U.S. businesses adapt to this growing trend, according to CU ��«��Ƶ Professor Peter McGraw.

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Clark Jones’ Classic Career Advice, with a Disney Twist

Srishti Sharma — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:55:50 +0000

Clark Jones’ Classic Career Advice, with a Disney Twist Srishti Sharma Wed, 10/30/2024 - 11:55

At a presentation sponsored by the First-Year Experience Program, Disney executive Clark Jones (Acct’91) shared the lessons that he “never knew he was learning” that have brought him success in work and life.

In a room filled with over 170 eager first-year students, Clark Jones (Acct’91) brought more than just the allure of his impressive title to a presentation hosted by Leeds’ First-Year Experience program—he delivered timeless lessons from his career journey at Disney, a company celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025 and a household name.

Through witty anecdotes and references to beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and Moana, Jones, Leeds Advisory Board member and the senior vice president of ��«��Ƶ Resort Finance, Revenue Management and Special Events, emphasized the importance of networking, seizing opportunities and staying passionate about one’s work.

In addition to “networking, networking, networking, networking,” Jones’ defining career mantra can be boiled down to three words: “I love opportunity.” He had the audience enthusiastically repeat the phrase several times in unison.

“You run into a lot of interesting people that do a lot of interesting things,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to tell people what you’re interested in.”

He challenged audience members to step out of their comfort zones and make at least one new connection before leaving the event.

1.“Porch your papers” (Newsies)

As a teenager, Jones delivered newspapers. One Thanksgiving, in a rush, he scattered papers in customers’ yards instead of following the family rule of “porching” them. His father made him go back and correct his mistakes, even though it held up the family’s holiday plans. The lesson? “You have one shot to do the right thing,” Jones said, quoting Walt Disney: “Do it well, and people will come back for more.”

2. Sacrifice (Hercules)

“Things don’t come easy,” said Jones, recalling challenging relocations and work travel during the early years of his marriage to Amy, also a CU alum. “You have to make hard choices, but it will be worth it.”

3. Accept feedback (McFarland USA)

Jones referenced the film based on the true story of an unlikely band of cross-country runners who became a champion team. A runner himself, he recalled a cross-country teammate in high school who excelled when she embraced her coach’s advice to run long-distance, even though she wanted to be a sprinter. Despite her initial resistance, she ultimately went on to pursue ultra-marathons. “Find your ultra-marathon,” Jones said, urging students to take feedback to heart, even if it’s difficult to hear.

4. Develop self-awareness (The Muppets, specifically the saxophone-playing character Zoot)

As a saxophone player in CU’s marching band, Jones wanted to be a section leader. The band director admitted Jones wasn’t a strong enough musician but recognized his leadership skills. The director appointed Jones co-leader, with another student handling the musical aspects. Jones emphasized, “Surround yourself with people who can fill your gaps. That will only lift you up.” He shared that he never strives to be the smartest person in the room but prefers to collaborate with others to create something greater than himself.

5. Love what you’re doing (Cars)

Jones recounted an audit he did for a tire company while working at Deloitte, noting how mundane the task felt. He went into the warehouse one day out of boredom and had an epiphany about tires. “Never forget how cool something truly is,” he said. He encouraged students not to lose sight of the magic in their work, comparing the concept to a scene in Cars in which the main race car character gets a new set of dazzling white wall tires. Beyond serving a critical function of safely transporting people, Jones noted, “People in the tire industry love tires because they put food on the table.”

“Leeds’ students are some of the best—if not the best—business students out there. And that’s a responsibility that you get to carry forward.”

Clark Jones (Acct’91)

Taking the next steps

As Jones’ presentation ended, students surged forward, eager to shake hands, ask questions and introduce themselves—embracing his challenge to network and lay the groundwork for their future success.

Just as Jones found the magic in something as seemingly mundane as tires, students were reminded to find their own spark.

His parting words will likely leave a lasting impact, like the characters in the Disney stories—one that will guide students long after their first year at Leeds.

“Leeds’ students are some of the best—if not the best—business students out there. And that’s a responsibility that you get to carry forward.”

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The 5-Day Office Mandate: A Tipping Point for Employee Well-Being?

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 19:54:31 +0000

The 5-Day Office Mandate: A Tipping Point for Employee Well-Being? Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 10/23/2024 - 13:54

Large companies like Amazon and Dell are enforcing a return to office five days a week. Assistant Professor Christina Lacerenza shares insights on the potential effects on employees.

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Posting Politics? It May Cost You a Job

Kelsey Cipolla — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 20:01:19 +0000

Posting Politics? It May Cost You a Job Kelsey Cipolla Tue, 10/22/2024 - 14:01

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Career Paths: Auggie Gehret Shares the Power of Networking

Srishti Sharma — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 18:38:08 +0000

Career Paths: Auggie Gehret Shares the Power of Networking Srishti Sharma Thu, 10/17/2024 - 12:38

In a challenging job market, Auggie Gehret connected with alumni and industry professionals to launch his career in commercial real estate.

For recent graduate Auggie Gehret (Fin, RelEst’24), networking was the key to landing his first full-time job as a real estate analyst at Ares Management Corporation, thanks to an internship and the support of Leeds alumnus Jeff Latier (MBA’08).

Little did Gehret know that volunteering at the Annual CU Real Estate Golf Tournament would kickstart his career. He was assisting with setting up chairs and signs when the program director introduced him to Latier.

Practice makes perfect

Despite having a new connection, Gehret wasn’t a pro at networking. “My first networking call with someone who wasn’t a recent grad was with Jeff, and yes, I was definitely nervous,” he said.

“I think a lot of students are afraid to ask questions that don’t seem smart.” He encourages students to ask detailed questions to learn as much as they can. Even questions that might seem unsophisticated “can help you navigate your job search and career placement.”

Latier echoed that sentiment. “It’s kind of like life—you’ve got to practice. The more reps you do, the better you get. It might start out clunky, but it gets better over time.”

As an active alum with the Michael A. Klump Center for Real Estate and CU as a mentor and guest lecturer, Latier is always excited to meet with students interested in his career and expertise. “People genuinely want to help students and are willing to set time aside. It’s a unique opportunity to take advantage of.”

“People genuinely want to help students and are willing to set time aside. It’s a unique opportunity to take advantage of.”

Jeff Latier (MBA’08)

“The real estate center supported me in leveraging their network,” Gehret said. “Once I talked to Jeff, I was able to snowball that into conversations with other professionals.” His connections with other CU alumni helped him find an internship at Ares before his senior year.

Building a network

For Gehret, building a solid network came from getting involved at Leeds. He participated in the CU Real Estate Club, Real Estate Fellows Program and multiple case competitions, including the Undergraduate Real Estate Case Competition.

“The core curriculum helped to set me up,” said Gehret. He found Teaching Professor Curtis Sears’ Intro to Real Estate and Real Estate Senior Seminar to be instrumental. “He gave me a more holistic understanding of the commercial real estate industry.”

Beyond classes, events helped him build experience. “I think what really topped off my ability to get my ideal post-grad role were the external events held by the center.”

“The heart of the work we do at the Klump Center is providing students the opportunity to meet, interact and learn from industry practitioners,” said Julie Gibson, the Sherman R. Miller Executive Director of the Klump Center. “Jeff Latier is a great example of an alumnus who continually gives back to his alma mater by taking time to meet with students. For Auggie, taking advantage of the experiential learning the center offers paid off with landing a top job in the region,” she added.

Gehret found the Real Estate Case Competition to be a great way to stand out. “It was by far the most influential for my professional development. It gave me the chance to develop skills and knowledge that applied to nearly all real estate roles and let me network with industry professionals who served as judges.”

Latier emphasized the value of Leeds’ opportunities. “The ability to work on a real-life real estate project and get feedback from senior-level executives sets the real estate program apart.”

Refining career goals

Initially, Gehret didn’t intend to go into commercial real estate. He planned for a career in investment banking, but as he learned more about real estate, it sparked a passion. He didn’t have a clear picture, though, of what working in commercial real estate might look like.

After meeting Latier at the tournament and having a conversation on Zoom, Gehret connected with a dozen other professionals who worked at Ares, most of whom were CU alumni. Those conversations helped him gain a better understanding of his path.

“Jeff and other CU alumni really helped me understand commercial real estate outside of the classroom,” said Gehret. “From there, I was able to narrow what I wanted, and I really directed my job search and extracurriculars with that in mind.”

He was most interested in portfolio management, a specialized area within real estate that involves managing a firm’s investment holdings. “Trying to independently understand exactly what a position entails is challenging, but it helps in narrowing down the roles you’re interested in,” he explained.

“I really had to network with people who understood the position and what the day-to-day looks like,” Gehret said. As he approached the interview process, those conversations about the role and team functions prepared him to thoughtfully craft his answers to interview questions. “Networking with all of those people was pivotal to me getting hired,” he said.

Paying it forward

Latier reinforced leveraging the alumni network. “Alumni are extremely loyal. It’s a result of this wonderful cycle that starts with the real estate program and Leeds providing a high-quality student experience, and then students want to give back as they grow.”

Gehret is following Latier’s lead as a dedicated and involved alum. He communicates frequently with staff and faculty at the Klump Center and recently joined a roundtable of professionals to speak with students. “It was nice to be on the other side and give advice on how they can start their career,” he said.

Latier continues to be energized by the questions he gets from students. “I’m always happy to meet with students and come back to campus. It’s a great way to give back and stay connected.”

To learn about the wide range of career resources and networking opportunities at Leeds, visit the Career Development Office.

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Save the Date: Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum on Dec. 9

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Clark Jones’ Classic Career Advice, with a Disney Twist

1.“Porch your papers” (Newsies)

2. Sacrifice (Hercules)

3. Accept feedback (McFarland USA)

4. Develop self-awareness (The Muppets, specifically the saxophone-playing character Zoot)

5. Love what you’re doing (Cars)

“Leeds’ students are some of the best—if not the best—business students out there. And that’s a responsibility that you get to carry forward.”

Taking the next steps

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“People genuinely want to help students and are willing to set time aside. It’s a unique opportunity to take advantage of.”

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