New Alum Perspective
By: Josh Erickson, Class of 2014
My name is Josh Erickson and I’m a recent graduate of Gonzaga University, Class of 2014. I graduated with a degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Management Information Systems & Operations and Supply Chain Management. So basically, I tried to fit as many words into my degree as possible.
Prior to graduating, I was lucky enough to secure a position at PricewaterhouseCoopers in San Francisco, CA in the field of Risk Assurance. You may be thinking, “PwC is an accounting firm, he didn’t major in accounting” and you’d be right. In fact I barely scraped by in my accounting courses because it was so difficult for me to think and work the way accounting requires. However, through working at the Career Center for a number of years and endless networking with Gonzaga alumni, professors, and professional connections, I was able to broaden my perspective of where I could get a job after college (that still feels weird to say).
To me, that’s one of the greatest things about Gonzaga — the amazing opportunities available to find out what to do with your major, network with companies at career fairs, and get help from the nearly-unlimited resources at our disposal. It was through the Gonzaga Career Center & GAMP that I found both internships I held while in school…at Costco Wholesale and PACCAR, Inc. While I did a lot in each of my internships, the most important thing I gained from them was what I learned about what I wanted in a job and company. This knowledge helped me better articulate what I was looking for in a career while in interviews and allowed me to quickly identify if a certain company was right for me.
In my four years as both a student and an intern in the Career Center, I have been able to observe so many awesome accomplishments achieved by my fellow classmates. I have seen Gonzaga seniors with as many as five or six internships under their belt, time spent volunteering while going to school full-time, and not to mention gaining employment at companies including every one of the “Big Four” accounting firms, Glassdoor, Boeing, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and multiple technology startups around the country. My classmates have studied abroad in Italy, London, Ireland, and Africa, each program offering amazing opportunities to learn and grow as Zags and as individuals. I can say with confidence that Gonzaga has helped cultivate an amazing group of people who are entering the workforce and the world to make a difference.
The biggest piece of advice I could give a current or future Zag (or a student’s parent to pass on to them) is to understand that there are jobs out there in every industry. Just because you are a history major doesn’t mean you have to be a professor, and if you’re a public relations major you don’t have to work for a PR firm. You can, and should apply for jobs outside your major and take a chance with a company you feel a connection with, regardless of who they typically hire. Being a Zag means being a well-rounded student and person. The liberal arts education a Gonzaga student receives allows us to thrive in any career, no matter how much it relates to our degrees. Zags are able to think critically, work well in teams and communicate better than most. If a position sounds interesting, don’t worry about not having enough experience or the right degree; it’s all about using your network, knowledge and enthusiasm for a position or company that will set you apart. Finally, the Gonzaga alumni network is among the top in the country – use it! Zags are always looking to help out fellow Zags, and whether that means giving career advice or helping to get an interview or a job, there is always someone willing to help you take the right step along your career path, including me!
Happy summer, Zag Families!
GO ZAGS!