News

Getting Down to Business: How Leeds’ Career Events Can Turn Handshakes into Hires

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:39:38 +0000

Getting Down to Business: How Leeds’ Career Events Can Turn Handshakes into Hires Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 09/26/2025 - 10:39

Jane Majkiewicz

The Leeds Career Development Office hosted three days of its signature fall programming, highlighted by the All Industries Career Fair—a lively event at Boulder's new Limelight Hotel. Students gave the event a resoundingly positive review, and now they’re keeping up the momentum as they pursue new connections, internships and career opportunities.

More than 900 undergraduate and graduate students convened at the Limelight to kick off the fall semester by exploring internship and career opportunities, from steppingstones to leadership tracks and permanent positions. A total of 79 businesses participated in the All Industries Career Fair on Sept. 17, creating a lively atmosphere filled with connection, curiosity and conversation.

Dressed in business attire and armed with polished resumes, students arrived ready to make strong first impressions. Their professional demeanor set the tone for meaningful conversations with recruiters, many of whom noted the students’ preparedness and enthusiasm.

“The Career Fair gives students the chance to explore opportunities and connect with employers across industries in a supportive, structured environment.”

Angie Vermillion, associate director of Employer Relations

Clusters of students gathered around tables hosted by companies such as such as Cain Travel, Crowe, Enterprise Mobility, memoryBlue, CBRE, Danone, Sprouts, Artist Capital, Comcast and Sage Hospitality—just a sampling of the diverse organizations represented. Nonprofit organizations, including the Peace Corps and Teach for America, also had a presence. The fair showcased businesses across all industries represented by Leeds’ 10 academic areas of emphasis.

Company posters enticed students with remote work, employee perks and leadership possibilities, such as Parallon and HCA Healthcare’s note that 85% of their former associates are currently in leadership positions. Inspirational slogans added to the visual flair:

“Our Brands. Your Future.”—Gallo
“Work Where You Belong”—Sage Hospitality
“Let’s Build Something Big”—ibotta
“Grow with Us”—Tallgrass Energy

From table talks to career moves

“I definitely think the career fair was a good use of my time,” said Lucas Fernandes (Fin, Acct’27), who spoke with representatives from Comcast, among other businesses. “Not only did I find out about internship opportunities that I previously wouldn’t have known about, but I was able to get a few contacts that I can use to leverage my network and opportunities.”

Students surveyed gave the event a resoundingly positive review, describing it as 'awesome,' 'well done' and 'very helpful'—especially appreciating the opportunity to connect with companies.

“The Career Fair gives students the chance to explore opportunities and connect with employers across industries in a supportive, structured environment,” said Angie Vermillion, associate director of Employer Relations at Leeds.

Kristin Day, an HR specialist with Tallgrass Energy, attended her first Leeds event and was impressed by the students’ professionalism and confidence. "We met many great candidates. They were all wonderful to talk with and very engaged in the conversations," she said. “I was impressed with the way students presented themselves. It made them stand out as a whole,” she added.

“Not only did I find out about internship opportunities that I previously wouldn’t have known about, but I was able to get a few contacts that I can use to leverage my network and opportunities.”

Lucas Fernandes (Fin, Acct’27)

To help students prepare, Leeds hosted a Career Workshop the day before the fair, focused on resume building, interview practice and networking skills. Following the fair, an “Instant Interviews” event offered more than 100 students a chance to engage directly with top professionals at 10 companies—often bypassing the formal application stage, Vermillion said.

“Together, these experiences not only boost students’ confidence in their professional readiness, but they also help them form authentic, lasting connections with employers and alumni—connections that can lead to internships, jobs and long-term career success,” she added.

Keeping up the momentum (and staying motivated)

Vermillion encourages students to follow up with employers they met at the fair—whether through a thank-you note, LinkedIn connection or application—to keep those new relationships active. Meeting with a career coach is another valuable next step to refine resumes, practice interviewing, or discuss tailored strategies for the opportunities they are pursuing.

“Students can also strengthen their confidence and skills by joining student organizations, participating in case competitions, or attending upcoming Leeds programs like career treks to meet directly with companies at their offices,” Vermillion said.

“Continuing to engage with Career Development ensures that students not only maintain momentum but also grow their professional network and readiness for future recruiting cycles,” she added.

One employer commented, “The quality of students was top-notch. There were lots of good introductions and great questions.” That sentiment was widely shared, underscoring the strong impression Leeds students made throughout the fair.

Making Career Events Work: Five Reasons to Show Up and Stand Out

Leeds Associate Director of Employer Relations Angie Vermillion outlined key career event benefits for students.

Increased confidence: Feel prepared to introduce yourself professionally, talk about your skills and navigate conversations with employers.
Practical experience: Gain first-hand practice with resume reviews, mock interviews and networking in real recruiting settings.
Meaningful connections: Build new relationships with employers, alumni and industry professionals that can lead to internships, full-time roles or ongoing mentorship.
Career insights: Acquire a clearer understanding of industries, company cultures and career pathways that align with your goals.
Opportunities for next steps: Secure an interview, receive a job or internship offer, or get invited to apply—moving you closer to your goals and dream careers.

Be sure to stay connected to the Career Development Office to talk with advisors and keep track of career events >>

The Leeds Career Development Office kicked off the fall semester with three days of its signature programming, highlighted by the All Industries Career Fair—a lively event that filled the ballroom at Boulder’s new Limelight Hotel.

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Business as Art: Wendy Lea Inspires the Leeds Community

Jane Majkiewicz — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 21:07:29 +0000

Business as Art: Wendy Lea Inspires the Leeds Community Jane Majkiewicz Thu, 09/25/2025 - 15:07

Jane Majkiewicz

Nationally renowned ecosystem builder Wendy Lea came to Leeds to share exclusive insights from her career in building businesses, forging strategic alliances and inspiring go-to-market innovation, including the future she sees for quantum technology in Colorado.

Wendy Lea (second from left) with Leeds' Birdie Reznicek, Kathryn Wendell and Erick Mueller.

As Leeds’ first Community Leader-in-Residence, Lea’s first day included four sessions with members of the community, including the Dean’s Cabinet; members of the Leeds’ Centers of Excellence, Employer Relations and Career Development Office; graduate and undergraduate students; and staff from across Leeds.

A thought-provoking session with Leeds’ Business Research Division was a prime example of Lea’s captivating storytelling, tracing her career path—a journey shaped by building relationships, being curious, continually learning, and making bold decisions.

“I am a business artist,” said Lea, explaining that she sees potential before problems and focuses on how businesses can deliver value. “I see business-making as art because there is no set way to get it done—it’s the most creative thing in the world to me.”

Lea’s current work involves channeling her decades of experience into shaping the state of Colorado’s quantum ecosystem. As a board member of Elevate Quantum, Lea is helping position Colorado as a national leader in quantum technology—an industry McKinsey projects will reach $97 billion worldwide by 2035. Colorado, which currently has 50 quantum-related startups, expects 10,000 new jobs within the next 10 years, and 30,000 workers trained in quantum technology.

“I was never afraid of failure. NEVER. I am a natural innovator and entrepreneur,” Lea said. That spirit of entrepreneurship, she believes, will be key to accelerating Colorado’s leadership in building a quantum-ready workforce. High schools and colleges will play a pivotal role in this transformation, alongside partners in New Mexico and Wyoming, who are collaborating with Colorado to advance the field.

“If we do our work, we can build an amazing future for our state and our region,” she said. She emphasized that building the talent pipeline will not only require PhDs and engineers, but also skilled business professionals and trained workers in the trades, especially in manufacturing.

“If we do our work [in quantum technology], we can build an amazing future for our state and our region.“

Wendy Lea, ecosystem builder and board member of Quantum Elevate

Lessons for the next generation of business leaders

In another session, Lea met with student leaders to reflect on the pivotal decisions and turning points that shaped her career. She distilled her path into a powerful insight:

“Self-knowledge is the most important knowledge.”

By understanding herself, Lea said she was able to make thoughtful career choices. While not every decision was perfect, each one helped her apply her skills in new and imaginative ways, building expertise that ultimately allowed her to help others.

Her parting advice: Challenge your boundaries and embrace innovation and reinvention. “Break out in any way you can from the mold you have created for yourself.”

Nationally renowned ecosystem builder Wendy Lea came to Leeds to share exclusive insights from her career in building businesses, forging strategic alliances and inspiring go-to-market innovation.

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Why We Laugh—Or Lash Out—At Political Jokes

Kelsey Cipolla — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 18:50:35 +0000

Why We Laugh—Or Lash Out—At Political Jokes Kelsey Cipolla Thu, 09/25/2025 - 12:50

Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension shows how quickly political humor can spark outrage. ��ɫ��Ƶ professor and humor researcher Peter McGraw explains why some punchlines delight audiences while others trigger backlash.

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How Does Growing Up Poor Influence Financial Decision-Making? New Study Sheds Light

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:11:36 +0000

How Does Growing Up Poor Influence Financial Decision-Making? New Study Sheds Light Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 09/24/2025 - 10:11

Research has long linked childhood poverty to financial risk-taking in adulthood. But a new analysis casts doubt on this stereotype.

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Boldly Moving Business Forward: Leeds Climbs in U.S. News & World Report Rankings

Jane Majkiewicz — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:03:04 +0000

Boldly Moving Business Forward: Leeds Climbs in U.S. News & World Report Rankings Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 09/23/2025 - 10:03

Jane Majkiewicz

Leeds School of Business climbs four spots in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, placing it among the top 6 percent of undergraduate business programs nationwide.

Leeds moved up four spots in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2026 rankings, tying for No. 32 overall with Boston College, University of Arizona, University of Iowa and UC Irvine. Leeds continues to hold its place as the top-ranked business school in Colorado and is now No. 21 among public universities nationwide.

“This four-spot rise overall is an impressive achievement and represents the second-largest upward movement among the top 35 business schools,” said Vijay Khatri, Tandean Rustandy Endowed Dean of Leeds.

In addition to the rankings, Leeds saw a record-breaking surge in undergraduate applications—more than 16,000 for the 2025–26 academic year. And this past spring, Leeds graduated its largest class ever, with nearly 1,700 undergraduates crossing the stage to venture into their next chapter.

As part of its 2035 Strategic Plan, Leeds’ mission, vision and values focuses on academic excellence, values-based leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold innovation. Rising in the U.S. News & World Report rankings is one of many indicators of the school’s exceptional progress in these areas, Khatri noted.

How Leeds Stands Out

#1 in Colorado

(out of 10 ranked)

#32 overall

(tied with Boston College,
University of Arizona, University of Iowa and UC Irvine)

#21 public

(tied with University of Arizona, University of Iowa and UC Irvine)

Top 6%

of all schools ranked
(n=533)

#4 in Big 12
Conference

(out of 16)

A world-class faculty

Since fall 2024, 44 new faculty members have joined Leeds, bringing global expertise from leading business schools—a testament to the school’s growing reputation for academic and research excellence.

Chenshan Hu, a new assistant professor of operations management, cited Leeds’ “exceptional research” and “strong commitment to sustainability” as key reasons for joining the faculty.

MJ Yang was drawn to Leeds’ “fantastic group of scholars in entrepreneurship and strategy,” as well as the region’s quantum computing ecosystem. He left a tenured position at the University of Oklahoma to join Leeds this fall as an assistant professor of entrepreneurship and strategy.

Leeds’ research impact is gaining recognition as faculty tackle some of the biggest questions and challenges facing business today. From 2020 to 2024, Leeds published an impressive 152 articles in top-tier journals, advancing significantly in the University of Texas Dallas rankings for 2025.

Investing in career outcomes

Students like first-year Roberto Araujo-Rodriquez (Bus’29) come to Leeds not only to gain essential business fundamentals, but also with a clear vision for how they want to make their mark. For Araujo-Rodriquez, who already owns a car detailing business, that means exploring possibilities to start a chain of luxury restaurants after graduation.

Leeds’ expansive experiential learning opportunities—including internships, career treks, study abroad and professional mentoring—set the school apart. A recent transformative gift further demonstrates Leeds’ commitment to shaping the next generation of business leaders. The new Nicholas Dante Badami Office for Experiential Learning will amplify Leeds’ experiential initiatives, strengthen career outcomes, foster leadership and entrepreneurial mindsets, and ensure professional readiness.

Pulling rank

Maintaining a top-tier ranking among both public and private undergraduate business programs is a significant accomplishment. The U.S. News & World Report annual rankings are the most quoted of their kind in the United States, and for more than 40 years they have served as a trusted benchmark for families and prospective students when choosing a college.

Leeds’ graduate programs also shine. Last year, the school’s part-time MBA programs jumped eight spots to  No. 42 in the U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Graduate Schools rankings. The Executive MBA ranked No. 49 globally for employer reputation and No. 5 among U.S. public schools for career outcomes, according to the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) EMBA rankings.

As Leeds continues to rise in national and global rankings, the school remains focused on its long-term strategic initiatives, preparing students to innovate and thrive in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Leeds School of Business climbs four spots in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, placing it among the top 6 percent of undergraduate business programs nationwide.

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��ɫ��Ƶ Launches New Master’s Degrees in Sustainable Business, Engineering

Kelsey Cipolla — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:58:37 +0000

��ɫ��Ƶ Launches New Master’s Degrees in Sustainable Business, Engineering Kelsey Cipolla Tue, 09/23/2025 - 08:58

The university is strengthening its role in sustainability education with two new graduate programs to prepare students for the growing demand for sustainability expertise.

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Bridging Classroom and Career: Leeds Launches Business Leader-in-Residence Program

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:12:28 +0000

Bridging Classroom and Career: Leeds Launches Business Leader-in-Residence Program Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 09/19/2025 - 14:12

Leeds is launching its Business Leader-in-Residence (BLIR) program on Oct. 8, a full day of exclusive student access to prominent visiting business leaders for career guidance, mentorship and networking.

Jennifer Bone, associate dean for Undergraduate Programs, Craig and Cynthia Smith Faculty Scholar, and teaching professor of business communication, shared insights about the new program and how it will help prepare students for lifelong career success.

What was the impetus to create the new Business Leader-in-Residence program, and who is it for?

The Business Leader-in-Residence (BLIR) program was created to provide Leeds students with direct access to seasoned industry professionals who can offer guidance at every stage of their academic and professional journey. The program is designed for all Leeds students:

First-year students exploring areas of emphasis and considering career paths.
Sophomores and juniors preparing for internships and seeking advice on how to best position themselves for the job search.
Seniors transitioning into the workforce and looking for strategies to launch their careers.
Graduate students interested in developing skills to pivot into new roles, functions or industries.

This year, Leeds is piloting a smaller BLIR event focused on sophomores, seniors and graduate students, with plans to expand the program in future years to cover 13–15 industry tracks.

What businesses will participate, and why are they involved?

For this year’s pilot, we are bringing in 14 leaders representing a wide range of industries, including accounting, finance, consulting, business analytics and marketing. Confirmed organizations include:

Liberty Media
Disney
RSM
KPMG
Korn Ferry
Pivotal Consulting
Google

Boulder Associates
Anthem Branding
JumpCloud
Cain Travel
Allora
Bow River Capital
Birds Eye Advisory

These companies are involved because they value investing in the next generation of business leaders and are interested in working specifically with Leeds students. Many of these leaders are also in the Leeds Professional Mentorship Program. They are eager to share their expertise, mentor students, and help bridge the gap between the classroom and professional practice.

“The Business Leader-in-Residence program helps students graduate not just with a degree, but with the confidence, skills and networks necessary to thrive.”

Jennifer Bone, associate dean for Undergraduate Programs

How is this program a gateway to career opportunities and career readiness for students?

The BLIR program is designed to connect students directly with leaders across diverse industries, providing personalized insights into career pathways, required skills and emerging trends. Through one-on-one and small group interactions, students will gain a clearer understanding of career options and receive guidance on aligning their interests with opportunities. Students will also build professional readiness by learning what employers look for in internships and early career hires, while developing mentorship and networks that extend beyond the classroom. By embedding these connections early and often, BLIR helps students graduate not just with a degree, but with the confidence, skills and networks necessary to thrive.

How does the BLIR fit into Leeds’ Strategic Plan?

This program directly supports our Strategic Initiative called the “Leeds Edge: Lifelong Career Success & Connections.” It advances the school’s commitment to equipping students with lifelong career readiness skills while cultivating strong connections with industry leaders.

By scaling the program to eventually encompass 13–15 industry tracks, Leeds will be creating a program that ensures every student can access high-impact mentorship and guidance as part of their educational experience.

Fourteen industry leaders will kick off Leeds' Business Leader-in-Residence program on Oct. 8, connecting students with career guidance, mentorship and networking for lifelong career success.

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Introducing Leeds' Community Leader-in-Residence: Wendy Lea

Jane Majkiewicz — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 22:49:47 +0000

Introducing Leeds' Community Leader-in-Residence: Wendy Lea Jane Majkiewicz Mon, 09/15/2025 - 16:49

Leeds is launching its inaugural Community Leader-in-Residence program on September 25, offering two days of events featuring exclusive access to Wendy Lea, a nationally recognized ecosystem builder and entrepreneurship innovator.

Birdie Reznicek, associate dean for culture and community and Virginia and Edward Mitchell Faculty Scholar, shared insights into the new program’s goals and what the Leeds community can expect during the two days of events with Wendy Lea.

What inspired the creation of the Community Leader-in-Residence program at Leeds?

Dean Khatri initiated this program to inspire a broader view of business leadership—one that includes civic engagement, community impact, and the interplay between public and private sectors. This initiative aligns well with Leeds’ vision to elevate business as a force for good in a rapidly changing world.

Why was Wendy Lea chosen as the inaugural Community Leader-in-Residence?

Lea’s leadership is impressively multifaceted, with a consistent theme: fostering vibrant economies in service to communities. Combine that with a powerful network, deep expertise in leveraging ecosystems, and indefatigable perseverance, and you get someone who drives big transformations to shape the future.

The more I get to know her, the more I’m struck by her visionary reach paired with practical problem-solving. She’s applied this “superpower” of unlocking capital, talent and entrepreneurial energy to initiatives ranging from quantum technology and small business growth to cultural vibrancy and national entrepreneurship policy.

How does the program reflect Leeds’ commitment to experiential learning and social impact?

Lea embodies a living case study in ecosystem-driven impact—from Boulder’s cultural scene to national entrepreneurship policy. Her work spans the Sundance Film Festival, Energize Colorado, Elevate Quantum, and national advisory boards like the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. These efforts offer students a real-time look at business as a tool for social change.

We’re thrilled that Wendy agreed to serve in this role, especially during a season when she is sharing her expertise at Colorado Startup Week, Techstars Foundercon, and with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).

What kinds of experiences can the Leeds community expect during Lea's residency?

Lea will engage directly with business, law and engineering students, faculty, staff, the Dean’s Cabinet and Chancellor Schwartz. Expect hands-on, collaborative sessions—not passive lectures. For example:

Those involved with the Boulder Climate Ventures initiative will work through an ecosystem mapping tool.
Grad students will explore thought exercises on leadership styles and strategies.
The Business Research Division's Brian Lewandowski will join Lea to examine career readiness implications at Leeds in light of the Mountain West’s emergence as a quantum hub.

How do you hope this program will shape Leeds in the long term?

I’ll borrow from a very thoughtful question that MBA student leader Annette De Capite plans to discuss with Lea: “How do you build reflection into a busy leadership life?”

This is something Lea deeply values—she’s observed that self-reflection isn’t typically prioritized in business practice. Ultimately, I hope the program fosters reflection about sense of purpose and community impact in our own work, service and leadership. This taps into the unique strengths and gifts that each person in the Leeds community brings as we work together on transformative goals.

Join Us

Hear Wendy Lea’s extraordinary story at the Fireside Chat and lunch on Friday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m., facilitated by Leeds Advisory Board member Ellen Balaguer.

Leeds is launching its inaugural Community Leader-in-Residence program on Sept. 25 and 26, featuring Wendy Lea, a nationally recognized ecosystem builder and entrepreneurship innovator.

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How Leeds Students Turned Summer Break into Business

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 19:05:11 +0000

How Leeds Students Turned Summer Break into Business Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 09/12/2025 - 13:05

Grace Garfoot

Though school stopped for the summer, many Leeds students did not stop learning and gaining experience as summer break took them out into the world. From media management to financial analysis, Business Buffs pursued their passions while developing skills through hands-on experiences—applying what they learned in the classroom.

Summer sunshine and startups

James Anderson (MBA’26) spent his summer as one of the co-managing directors for Startup Summer 2025, an experiential entrepreneurship program for undergraduate students hosted by Silicon Flatirons at ��ɫ��Ƶ. Anderson (pictured right) described his role as dynamic. He began the summer by helping plan and program the curriculum down to each weekly session, along with leading the recruiting and admissions process.

Once the program launched, his responsibilities shifted to hosting the sessions, coordinating with keynote speakers and mentors, and serving as a resource for the student teams. He was also responsible for summarizing the weekly events in a recap newsletter, as well as briefing students for the upcoming week’s agenda.

“The sessions we hosted were incredible opportunities to deepen my understanding of core business and entrepreneurial practices,” Anderson said. “Topics ranged from customer discovery led by Erick Mueller [executive director of the Deming Center] to prototyping, legal considerations and more. Having to take these business topics and make them applicable to 11 different and unique startups is always an exciting test to see how well you actually know something!”

Anderson had always been intrigued by founding a company but hadn't had the right idea to pursue that path. The accelerator space provided him with a unique middle ground—a place where he could apply the fundamentals he learned during his first year of the MBA program to help new founders take their first steps. “This role expanded my professional network meaningfully—I walked away with new connections, including a personal mentor I’ll continue to learn from,” he said.

“I highly recommend Startup Summer for undergraduate students who want hands-on exposure to entrepreneurship, and for graduate students to apply for the managing director roles.”

This role expanded my professional network meaningfully—I walked away with new connections, including a personal mentor I’ll continue to learn from.

James Anderson (MBA’26)

Outdoor adventures and internships

Sofia Blanco (Mktg’26) spent her summer at Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) working a hybrid schedule as an events and marketing intern. Blanco (pictured left) worked remotely in Boulder and went to Denver a few days each week. As the events and marketing intern, she was a member of the communications team, working closely with each department across the company. Some of her responsibilities included managing and producing content for GOCO’s social channels, conducting research on current environmental news, contacting news outlets for press releases, attending community outreach events, designing merch/swag and assisting with drafting the monthly newsletter.

“I have learned so much,” Blanco reflected. “I have come to appreciate the good that comes from working with a close-knit team of people who have a common goal in mind. For GOCO, that means helping preserve our beautiful state. Everyone at the company is so community-minded, and I have learned how important it is to remember the ‘why’ behind what we are doing.”

Blanco found the internship while she was “on the hunt” for a way to apply the knowledge that she’d been learning in her Leeds classes. Because of the positive experience she had with GOCO, she is continuing her work with the company throughout the school year.

“Securing an internship is a great experience for anyone,” she said. “If a student can secure an internship at a company where they genuinely enjoy what they're doing, that's the way to go. I often don't even feel like I am doing work, because it is just so fun, and I am inspired by what GOCO does.”

I have come to appreciate the good that comes from working with a close-knit team of people who have a common goal in mind.

Sofia Blanco (Mktg’26)

Fun and finance

Grace Trujillo (Fin, Acct’26) felt fortunate to spend her summer participating in two internships: the Strategic Finance, Accounting and Growth Internship with NCS Systems, and interning with Miller and Law PC in Littleton, Colorado.

For her NCS Systems internship, Trujillo (pictured left) spent the summer working closely with the CEO, standardizing all finance and accounting procedures for the company. She established a process for basic accounting transactions to ensure they adhered to US GAAP and other relevant guidelines, along with performing various financial analyses and examining financial factors ranging from new projects to implementing employee raises.

“Since there has never been a CFO at NCS Systems, I gained a lot of experience by sort of playing CFO,” Trujillo said. “I made a lot of mistakes and was able to learn along the way, and I mastered the skills that I was exposed to in the classroom at Leeds. I learned a lot about leadership, initiative, and especially about managing my time, balancing two jobs and a full course load.”

One of the reasons Trujillo pursued both internships was because she plans to graduate from Leeds in three years instead of four. Her goal was to get as much experience as possible over the summer. She believes internships at startups are the best way to gain a lot of practical experience in a short amount of time, acquiring skills that employers want to see.

“The most challenging part was the time management piece,” Trujillo said. “I was working all day, followed by my schoolwork and preparation at night for the next day, while managing my relationships, travel plans and time for my hobbies."

But the investment was worth it. "I truly believe that the processes I created at NCS will allow them to grow and scale in a more efficient way, and I saved the company a lot of headaches that could have occurred down the line.”

I learned a lot about leadership, initiative, and especially about managing my time.

Grace Trujillo (Fin, Acct’26)

Fall colors and continued opportunities

Get in on the Action

Learn about Leeds’ experiential learning opportunities >>

These three Business Buffs represent the many ways in which Leeds students keep their learning alive over the summer, gaining valuable work skills and life experiences.

Experiential learning is part of a Leeds education all year long, through internships and micro-internships, career treks, case competitions, enhanced in-classroom academic experiences, and courses such as Designing Your Leeds for first-year students. Designing Your Leeds for Career Preparation, which is focused on internship readiness, is being piloted this semester for sophomores.

From startup accelerators to environmental advocacy and financial strategy, Business Buffs spent their summer applying classroom knowledge in dynamic, real-world settings.

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Want To Get Ahead at Work? Learn To Be Funny.

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 15:07:49 +0000

Want To Get Ahead at Work? Learn To Be Funny. Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 09/10/2025 - 09:07

Organizational leadership expert Tony Kong says humor is a strategic skill that can help you lead, connect and stand out—and his research shows why intent matters more than the punchline.

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News

Getting Down to Business: How Leeds’ Career Events Can Turn Handshakes into Hires

From table talks to career moves

Keeping up the momentum (and staying motivated)

Making Career Events Work: Five Reasons to Show Up and Stand Out

Off

Business as Art: Wendy Lea Inspires the Leeds Community

Lessons for the next generation of business leaders

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Why We Laugh—Or Lash Out—At Political Jokes

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Boldly Moving Business Forward: Leeds Climbs in U.S. News & World Report Rankings

How Leeds Stands Out

#1 in Colorado

#32 overall

#21 public

Top 6%

#4 in Big 12
Conference

A world-class faculty

Investing in career outcomes

Pulling rank

Off

��ɫ��Ƶ Launches New Master’s Degrees in Sustainable Business, Engineering

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Bridging Classroom and Career: Leeds Launches Business Leader-in-Residence Program

Off

Introducing Leeds' Community Leader-in-Residence: Wendy Lea

Join Us

Off

How Leeds Students Turned Summer Break into Business

Summer sunshine and startups

Outdoor adventures and internships

Fun and finance

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Get in on the Action

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Want To Get Ahead at Work? Learn To Be Funny.

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News

Getting Down to Business: How Leeds’ Career Events Can Turn Handshakes into Hires

From table talks to career moves

Keeping up the momentum (and staying motivated)

Making Career Events Work: Five Reasons to Show Up and Stand Out

Off

Business as Art: Wendy Lea Inspires the Leeds Community

Lessons for the next generation of business leaders

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Why We Laugh—Or Lash Out—At Political Jokes

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Boldly Moving Business Forward: Leeds Climbs in U.S. News & World Report Rankings

How Leeds Stands Out

#1 in Colorado

#32 overall

#21 public

Top 6%

#4 in Big 12 Conference

A world-class faculty

Investing in career outcomes

Pulling rank

Off

��ɫ��Ƶ Launches New Master’s Degrees in Sustainable Business, Engineering

Related Articles

Bridging Classroom and Career: Leeds Launches Business Leader-in-Residence Program

Off

Introducing Leeds' Community Leader-in-Residence: Wendy Lea

Join Us

Off

How Leeds Students Turned Summer Break into Business

Summer sunshine and startups

Outdoor adventures and internships

Fun and finance

Fall colors and continued opportunities

Get in on the Action

Off

Want To Get Ahead at Work? Learn To Be Funny.

Related Articles

#4 in Big 12
Conference