Lakeland junior Amanda Brandt is enjoying quite a transformation thanks to her Cooperative Education jobs. Not only has she improved her professional skill set, she is growing as a person in ways she never dreamed possible.

Currently, she serves as the inaugural chief marketing officer of Launch: Lakeland Student-Run Businesses, a role that has her leading marketing efforts for one of LU’s newest ventures.

It is the latest in an impressive list of jobs that includes services intern at Acuity and jobs on campus as a resident assistant and a role with the Lakeland admissions call team.

“I started out as a shy freshman that had no idea what I was doing,” said Brandt, a business administration and marketing double major from Kiel, Wis. “As time went on, I realized that I needed to take chances and step out of my comfort zone. I have grown more confident both personally and professionally, and I have LU to thank for that.”

Launch is in its infancy, and Brandt is a pioneer who is helping the program take shape. As CMO, she is responsible for successfully developing and implementing marketing strategies to help achieve the SRB’s objectives. It is a mix of research and writing that fills her time alongside her coursework.

“As soon as I heard that I could be a student executive in a new startup that would grant me unparalleled experience in my field, I knew I had to go for it,” Brandt said.

A key to her success has been the resources available at Lakeland, including the Cooperative Education & Career Readiness team and LU faculty members.

“The Co-Op team helped with my resume and cover letter writing, how to earn Co-Op credits and how to navigate through switching jobs,” Brandt said. “I had several great faculty members that assisted when working through workplace challenges that I had no idea how to deal with. I knew that there were several faculty members I could turn to when I needed help.”

Brandt is making the most of her Lakeland experience. She is a member of the Pi Kappa Gamma Sorority, serving as Historian and IGC Representative, and she has been involved with Spanish Club, Enactus and ELSA.

She attended LU because it was close to home, offered the majors she had in mind and was similar in size to her high school.

“I also chose Lakeland because of the opportunities the Co-Op program granted me, and the many great businesses that surround Lakeland,” said Brandt, noting that Lakeland was familiar because her uncle and her cousin also attended Lakeland.

Thanks to the financial benefits of Co-Op, Brandt said she will only have a small loan to pay off after graduation. She has learned how to manage her tuition payments thanks to support from LU's Office of Financial Aid & Educational Funding, a resource she encouraged her peers to seek out.

Brandt said getting a job through Co-Op and becoming an RA were both instrumental in helping her pay for her education.

“There are always opportunities to make money either on- or off-campus while going to school,” she said. “I would advise students to work every semester to save enough money to pay off the monthly tuition payments. As for money management tips, try to save as much money as you can without overworking yourself too much. I regularly check my bank account balance and make sure that I would have enough for my tuition payments before I would spend a lot of money.”

After graduation, Brandt hopes to work for a local nonprofit or return to Acuity in a marketing or communications role, eventually elevating into a management position.

Lakeland’s Cooperative Education program was founded, in part, to reward students who had grit, a measure that is not always reflected on standardized tests.

LU sophomore Parker Fogle is showing his Co-Op employer, Johnsonville, that he’s got that grit.

Fogle, who is majoring in business administration with an emphasis in manufacturing-supply chain & logistics, worked and played sports while attending nearby Sheboygan North High School, a combination that prepared him well for Lakeland’s Co-Op program.

He became aware of the program thanks to a Lakeland billboard in Sheboygan, and was intrigued by the notion of working while attending school and earning money to limit post-graduation tuition debt.

Fogle established a Lakeland Co-Op milestone this semester when he was approved for acceptance into Johnsonville’s tuition remission program. This puts him on target not only to graduate debt free, but likely with some money in the bank.

It’s all part of his motivation for enrolling at Lakeland and taking advantage of Co-Op, a list that included graduating with no debt, gaining valuable experience with a great company and being able to include on his resume that he financed 100% of his college education.

“Proving to Johnsonville that I am a hard-working student and that I will do what it takes to gain their respect while getting my degree can only help with getting a full-time job at Johnsonville after graduation,” Fogle said. “I plan to show them that their investment in me was well worth it.”

After working closely with Lakeland’s Co-Op team, Fogle felt supported to work out all of the details necessary for his academic, career and financial success. He is working at Johnsonville in production and packing, and he has shadowing opportunities with three other departments that are all his areas of interest: supply chain, logistics, and quality and safety. He’s also been filling in for people in different areas, and some nights isn’t getting home until 11 p.m.

The demands of work and school are helping him balance his time. Fogle is earning six credits for his Co-Op, and taking two or three classes per semester, depending on their difficulty.

“Managing credit load is very important because my Co-Op is my top priority to succeed at Johnsonville,” said Fogle, a member of Lakeland’s Dean’s List who earned 18 college credits while he was in high school. “Also, I take at least one summer class to keep up with graduating on time.”

Johnsonville reviews its employees on a frequent basis, and at Fogle’s last review it was noted that he has not missed a day of work and has never been late.

“Learning from the ground up, being on time and never missing a shift will pay dividends for me after graduation,” Fogle said. “After one year on the job, I have accomplished all these.”

Parker’s father, Tom, is a member of the Co-Op Advisory Board. He admitted that when his son initially mentioned seeing the Co-Op billboard, he thought it was a marketing gimmick to get people interested in Lakeland. His son’s experience and his own involvement as one of LU’s advisors has helped him see the value of the program.

“For students, it is a great opportunity, but it’s what you make of it,” said Tom Fogle, a client manager with World Wide Technology. Inc., a digital and IT infrastructure company. “It’s not a given and you need to make it your own. I can show people my son’s savings account. I told him he should be proud that he didn’t miss one day of work. That’s unusual even for full timers.

“You’re proving to your employer that you are trainable. Employers want accountability and to be able to rely on you. Parker has shown that so far. Employers will train employees where their skill sets fit.”

Asked what advice he would give to students thinking about the Co-Op program, Parker said research jobs that can become careers, and embrace starting from the bottom and working your way up.

“Too many students want things given to them and don't want to earn it,” Parker said. “The Co-Op needs to be the priority side-by-side with school. These employers need to run a business, and the students need to work for the employer 100%.”

Ask the folks at Sheboygan’s St. Nicholas Hospital about Lakeland senior Katelynn Gunderson, and they’ll tell you she’s the “Patient Whisperer.”

Gunderson works as a patient access representative at St. Nicholas through Lakeland’s Cooperative Education program. She spends 20-30 hours a week on a variety of responsibilities including the admission of patients, collecting co-payments and updating patient demographics broadcast.

“She is so good with all patients, even if they are not in the best of moods,” said Jaclyn Wiegand, supervisor of St. Nicholas’ Patient Access Department. “The amount of care and compassion shown by Katelynn is immeasurable. She makes everyone around her more feel more comfortable and at ease.”

Gunderson has been nominated for the annual Cooperative Education Student Achievement Award given by the Cooperative Education and Internship Association. The CEIA recognizes distinguished achievement and excellence by annually recognizing outstanding students who have excelled in or made significant impact in work-integrated learning.

Asked about the “Patient Whisperer” persona, Gunderson just smiles.

“They always send the hard ones my way,” said Gunderson, a member of the Lakeland women’s wrestling team who is on track to graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in healthcare management.

“The key is staying calm and not always relating but listening to them. We had someone come in and she was so scared. She knew something was wrong and she was so nervous. I just listened to her because I knew that’s what she needed. I can’t diagnose anything, but I can listen and be a good person.”

Gunderson has done so well that St. Nicholas has offered her a full-time role after graduation as registrar in the patient access department.

“Katelynn is exceptional at her job,” Wiegand said. “Before her probation period was over, she was training new colleagues. She is always willing to learn new things and take on more duties.”

Gunderson initially wanted to be a nurse, but she was drawn to the business side of healthcare by watching her stepmother climb to the role of CEO of a hospital.

Her senior year at McFarland (Wis.) High School, she planned to attend a local public college on the assumption that any other option would be too expensive. Lakeland hit her radar when the university created the state’s first collegiate women’s wrestling program. Gunderson had to wrestle in high school on the boy’s team and developed a love for the sport. Lakeland became an affordable option when she learned about the Co-Op program during the recruitment process.

“I was amazed at how they made a college education affordable by letting student work off the debt each year,” Gunderson said. “I am incredibly grateful for the program, as it gave me relief from a financial burden.”

The positive impact of Co-Op took on a new meaning in her third year at LU when her mother was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. “The program has allowed me to be less worried about financial responsibilities and spend more time with my mom,” Gunderson said.

She can earn up to $2,000 in tuition reimbursement from St. Nicholas through her job, and she is the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the hospital, along with several other scholarships. She took a personal finance class in high school and managerial accounting at Lakeland, experiences which showed her the benefit of using her wages to help pay for school. She is on track to graduate with little debt.

“If you would have told me that I would have all this planned out before graduation, I would have said you were crazy,” Gunderson said. “I am someone who plans ahead, but I didn’t think I would find my dream position and be in it for a year already.

“I love the people I work with; I am really close to them. The CEO of the hospital knows me by name and jokes about me being part of security because I am a wrestler. One of the aspects of my job I really enjoy is how my co-workers mentor and guide me. It feels good to know that they recognize my talents and abilities as a team member.”

Gunderson’s initial work experience was at Lakeland as a prep-cook for Dining Service. After one year, she was promoted to a supervisor role and she oversaw and trained new employees, managed inventory, prepared weekly menus and co-created recipes, all while developing leadership skills she uses daily.

Her second work experience was with Lakeland’s Co-Op and Career Readiness Department as the student assistant. She was responsible for Co-Op scholarship interviews, revising resumes, create marketing materials and helping host campus events. These responsibilities helped her develop confidence and gain additional skills needed in a business environment.

She’s also developed superior time management skills thanks to juggling a full load of classes, being an athlete and working.

“If people saw my calendar, they would have a heart attack,” Gunderson said with a laugh. “I have learned from my parents, coaches and mentors about the importance of time management. I was pretty well organized coming to Lakeland, but I have developed those skills even more here.

“Sometimes I find it crazy that I do all these things and live off campus with two dogs. I make time because these things are important to me.”

Gunderson has also learned many lessons from wrestling, including overcoming gender stereotypes as she competed against and often beat her male opponents.

“I would hate it when they would throw their headgear and be mad that they lost to a girl, Gunderson said. “I had to call out some men and tell them, ‘Knock it off, you’re degrading the sport.’ It taught me that you need to hold your ground, stand up for yourself and be ready to communicate in difficult situations.

“Wrestling is a sport where you get beaten down and have to stand back up and keep going. You can use that in life, too. No matter how many times you get beat down, you can still stand back up and move forward.”

As for the future, Gunderson said she can see herself managing a nursing home and focusing on the care and safety of the folks they serve.

“I’ve always gotten along with people in assisted living,” she said. “I grew up playing bingo with my grandmother’s group. Even back then I guess I had a magic touch.”

In reflecting on her time as a Lakeland student, 2019 graduate Karley Campbell, a first-generation college student, pays tribute to the many experiences that have made her the person she is today.

Campbell maximized her Lakeland experience by involving herself in several organizations and gaining employment experiences.

Campbell, who grew up in Sheboygan, Wis., graduated in 3.5 years with a double major in business administration and Spanish. She is currently working as the administrative coordinator at the City of Sheboygan Fire Department.

While a student at Lakeland, her work experiences included positions that were located on campus and in the local area. Campbell served two internships, first as an organizational intern at Above & Beyond Children’s Museum in Sheboygan, than as an organizational leadership & development intern at Johnsonville Sausage.

“Growing up in Sheboygan, I went to the museum as a kid and felt nostalgic walking into work every day,” Campbell said. “One specific responsibility I remember was assisting with event planning for the 25^th anniversary of the museum.

“The Johnsonville internship was independent-project based, but also gave me the opportunity to participate in job shadows with other positions at the company and connect with interns in other departments as we worked together throughout the summer to host a charity brat fry.”

As for her on-campus employment, she was an international office clerical assistant, Student Ambassador, Spanish tutor and Resident Assistant.

These collective work experiences while being a Lakeland student plays a key role in helping her thrive in post-graduation employment.

“I proudly support these organizations,” Campbell said. “They made a large impact on where I am today by helping me practice and strengthen skills I use in my job today including customer service, event planning, digital data tracking, relevant work instruction creation and frequent use of Microsoft products.

“It also gave me the opportunity to participate in job shadows with other positions at the company and connect with interns in other departments.”

As someone who took advantage of many different employment experiences, Campbell was determined to involve herself in the Lakeland community as well.

Her involvement included the Phi Delta Omega Sorority, Spanish National Honor Society, Global Student Association, Lakeland’s recreational bowling league, Conversation Partner Program, Student Government Association and Lakeland’s Drumline. She was also a Movers & Shakers Gala scholarship recipient.

A highlight of her involvement at Lakeland was earning Lakeland’s Study Abroad Scholarship to study at the University of Costa Rica- San José in the summer of 2018.

Campbell encourages other students to take advantage of what a small college like Lakeland offers. She gained many experiential learning opportunities that were crucial to the development of her abilities and to her future success.

“Really get to know your professors, stop in and talk to your academic advisor, participate in a club or organization that challenges you,” Campbell said. “When I did seek out that support, they were always there. That’s not going to happen at just any school.”

Lakeland’s Cooperative Education program puts students in jobs that allow them to gain professional work skills, grow personally and earn wages to that allow students to minimize post-graduation tuition debt. Deyna Gatica checked all of those boxes, and is a role model for students considering Lakeland’s Co-Op program.

A 2019 Lakeland graduate with a degree in business administration with an emphasis in human resource management, she had a valuable Co-Op job in business development at Ansay and Associates in Port Washington, Wis. She learned basic skills of working in an office setting, such as how to talk to people on the phone, how to properly schedule appointments, using specific software for data entry and communicating with clients via social media.

“Without this job, I would have learned what to do in class, but I never would have gotten the opportunity to improve myself,” said Gatica, who was a member of the Lakeland chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success her last two years. “I received help from both my supervisor and Lakeland’s Co-Op & Career Readiness Team with any questions and concerns. That helped make my experience very valuable.”

Professionally, she focused on gaining new experiences and skills like multitasking and time management. “Anything that I thought would make me become successful in my position, I did,” said Gatica, who also started working in her current job for Bemis Manufacturing while at Lakeland. “I used the knowledge given to me in the classroom and applied it to real-life cases.”

On the personal side, Lakeland pushed Gatica outside her comfort zones. “I learned how to be more independent, be more of a leader and be more open minded,” she said. “I would try to meet new people all the time. I felt very comfortable knowing that LU is small enough that I would always see the same familiar faces during passing periods every day.”

Gatica lives in Sheboygan, Wis., and looked into Lakeland because it was close to home and she connected with the small campus that allowed her to personally know her professors.

“I liked the welcoming feeling that I encountered when I stepped foot on campus for the first time,” Gatica said.

She was also attracted to the large variety of majors and minors that Lakeland offers to students, and that selection came in handy as she was a biochemistry major at LU for two years before switching to business.

As a first generation college student, managing the cost of college was also important, and Gatica learned some smart strategies that allowed her to graduate with minimal student debt. Her current employer has a tuition reimbursement program which helped her pay for school.

“One tip that I would definitely recommend is having a certain amount of money from every paycheck that you receive be directly deposited to a savings account in order to save money,” she said. “Also, if you are paying student loans, make sure to have automatic withdrawals each month and keep track of what day that payment is made. My LU experience was definitely an affordable option.”

Long term, Gatica hopes to land a managerial position in either HR or business so she can use the skill sets she learned at Lakeland through her Co-Op job.