A Note from the Cooperative Education Team
The Cooperative Education team welcomes you and your student to a great year at Lakeland University! We recently celebrated homecoming and students are preparing for mid-term exams. We have been busy assisting new and returning students in identifying on- and off-campus employment options that best fit their goals. As you can imagine, it is a great time to be a Muskie, as employers are being incredibly flexible with student schedules and have significantly increased their wages/benefits. I encourage you to check in with your student and inquire if they are actively working with our team. Since we work directly with the recruiters and supervisors, we can ensure the student is well aware of their options and steps to secure a role that will work well for their needs.
In addition, we have several items that might be of special interest to you, as we know how critically important your involvement is in the life of a student:
- We are hosting a Virtual Parent Session on October 14 at 7 p.m. CST. Members of the Co-Op team will share updates about our employer partnerships, Co-Op offerings and professional development opportunities for students. We will also answer any questions about the services we provide, as we support students in their Co-Op and career discovery.
- On Thursday, October 21, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. we have our annual “From Exploration to Experience” event on-campus. During this in-person event, students will learn more about degree programs and career options from faculty/alumni and then connect with 25 major companies that are looking for student talent. Students are expected to dress in business attire and bring copies of their resume.
If you have interest in attending the virtual parent session and/or want to ensure you get the newsletter, please email career@lakeland.edu and one of our team members will follow up with you accordingly.
Thank you for all you do to support Lakeland and your student,
Jess Lambrecht
Associate Vice President of Cooperative Education & Career Readiness
Lakeland University
Sargento Partnership Program
Lakeland University is partnering with Sargento Foods to create unique job opportunities for LU students.
The new effort – part of LU’s Cooperative Education program – will help students gain valuable work experience and help Sargento fill in-demand positions.
The partnership is designed to address challenges Lakeland students faced when working production roles and the corresponding work schedules, which often conflicted with their academic schedule. Thanks to creative solutions and additional incentives for students, many are really benefiting from the opportunity. Offering an additional $5,000 annual tuition support has been a major aspect in generating interest among students.
Read the entire article at New Lakeland, Sargento partnership addresses several needs and contact a Cooperative Education team member at career@lakeland.edu with questions.
Student Summer Experiences
Lakeland has created a new program to support students from the Milwaukee area who desire higher education, while needing financial stability to support their family. The Co-Op Year program is structure for a cohort who will be working together at one of a few partnering employers and take classes together. Their schedules will align to allow for more collaboration and connection in the workplace and classroom, helping them establish stronger community ties. The program is looking to support 45 students and will begin this fall. For details on how your company could be included in this program, please contact Jess Lambrecht at lambrechtjn@lakeland.edu.
Financial Aid Office Update
The 2022-2023 FAFSA opens October 1! It will ask for student and parent 2020 income and tax information. FAFSAs can be completed online at studentaid.gov or on the mobile app, myStudentAid. Students enrolled in EXP 100 and EXP 300 will be meeting with members of the financial aid team during the month of October to review their financial goals and future earning potential. Ask your student about their upcoming meeting! Students with questions can stop by the Financial Aid Office on the first floor of William A. Krueger Hall or email financialaid@lakeland.edu.
Campus Shop Opening
On Thursday, September 9th, the Launch team, and the rest of the Lakeland community celebrated the grand opening of Musko’s Campus Shop. Students, faculty, staff, and community members were welcomed to shop in the brand new on-campus store featuring a wide range of never seen before merchandise items.
At noon, a ribbon cutting ceremony took place where David Gallianetti, Director of External Relations, shared remarks on behalf of President Borgen, praising the Launch team for their hard work and successful venture. The Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce was also present to recognize Musko’s Campus Shop as a new business in the community. The ribbon was cut by Sydney Pingitore, President of Merchandising who was responsible for leading the student-run venture.
Attendees were able to enter their name into a raffle drawing to win a new apparel item, as well as take pictures with Lakeland’s mascot, Musko.
Overall, the event was a success with the store’s second highest sales record!
We appreciate everyone who came out and supported us that day.
In case you were unable to attend, you can visit Musko’s Campus Shop located in the Wehr Center lobby.
Student Spotlight
Ali Wilson- Launch Event Planner and Current MS-LOD Student
Please describe your position with Launch.
My role with Launch was the event planner. In this position, I was able to plan and implement the Sheboygan Memorial Day Parade, Lakeland University Blasters and the Sheboygan Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament.
How did you secure this position?
I secured this position through a conversation with Jess Lambrecht and applied via Handshake
Why did you decide to work with Launch?
I decided to work for Launch because I thought it was a great opportunity as a student to get to plan all these events. Looking back on it now, I am super thankful that I did decide to work for Launch during my time at Lakeland because it has prepared me for the future.
What are some things you learned in your role?
In this my position, I learned how to better communicate and handle adversity. It is not always an easy answer to say no to someone, but with events, especially large events, this is a word you have to get used to saying. Learning how to multi-task and handle numerous things at once has prepared me as well.
What should other employers know about working with LU students?
Working with Lakeland students is great. You are giving us real-world experience that you generally do not see in college. You are also helping Lakeland students be better prepared for their career upon graduation.
How did the Career Readiness and Launch teams help you during your time at LU?
Very supportive. You could always count on everyone to be there if you had a question or needed assistance with anything at all. I think this just speaks to the family aspect we have at Lakeland.
What are your future plans?
I am currently enrolled in the MS-LOD program at Lakeland and will graduate this December. I am looking to enter the collegiate sport realm as I look for a full-time job. I want to stick with events, coach golf at the Division III level or be involved with student-athlete development at a larger institution.
Employer Spotlight
Melissa Schwartz- Manager of KerberRose Fox Cities Office
Tell me a little about yourself.
I love small community living. I enjoy spending time with my family, including my two Boston Terriers. I also enjoy camping, biking, jet skiing, traveling and working in my flower gardens.
What is KerberRose and your role within the organization?
I am currently a manager in our Fox Cities office. I am involved in various firm committees and seem to be the go-to for various internal and external software and payroll questions. I provide accounting and tax services for various businesses, small to medium-sized. Services include tax planning and preparation, software training, payroll, and bookkeeping. I also provide tax planning and preparation for individuals. I value my client relationship and am passionate about what I do.
Tell me about your experience with Lakeland University, what was it like?
I was truly a non-traditional student. I worked full-time for KerberRose while finishing my bachelor’s degree and also worked for a second employer at various points. In addition, my significant other was in the United State Marine Corp, which required some occasional traveling on my part to visit. Lakeland University made it very easy for me to complete my degree while being employed and on the constant move. Their various offerings with classes allowed for me to learn via employment and education, while living.
Is there someone specific at Lakeland that stands out as a mentor or major influence on your development?
My Lakeland advisor made it easy to understand the transition needed for bachelor program completion into the CPA exam process. She was also able to assist me with my credit accumulation since I had attended two other universities, technical college and also took advanced courses in high school. We were able to come up with a plan to maximize those various things to fulfill my credit requirement even though the best path for me was not with Lakeland University for the Master’s program.
How did your experience with Lakeland University benefit your career? How could it benefit others in your industry?
Lakeland gave me the education and confidence I needed to continue with growth at KerberRose professionally. I could directly relate their curriculum to my day-to-day tasks at KerberRose. Their non-accounting classes gave me perspective and background on various things that helped develop my overall wisdom and expertise.
What advice would you give current students at Lakeland?
Opportunity is yours. Take advantage of any chance you get. I am extremely proud of what I have been able to accomplish, and I couldn’t have done that without capitalizing on opportunity.
What would you like to tell students about KerberRose?
KerberRose is a pretty great place to work. Our culture says it all; Love what you do and do what you love. We have opportunity for those that want it and work for it; if you have the passion, you will not be limited. They have never limited my chance to learn something new. They have supported me through my education, various life milestones, my leadership development and many hurdles in my professional career. The KerberRose family has become my second family.
Upcoming Events
The safety of our students, faculty and staff is always our top priority. Your cooperation and collaboration will help to ensure an appropriate response across our institution to this rapidly changing matter.
Oct. 15- Six Flags Fright Fest
Oct. 21- TEDx Lakeland University
Oct. 21- Lakeland Exploration to Experience Career Opportunities Fair
Oct. 23- Fall Ball: A College Prom
Oct. 23- Football Game- Home vs. Concordia
Oct. 24- Six Flags Fright Fest
Nov. 4- Great Lakes Writers Festival