Wright State hosts expert panel for students seeking careers at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

Wright State students learned about working in the government and in the defense industry at a luncheon hosted by the Raj Soin College of Business. (Submitted photo)

Almost 100 Wright State University students learned about working for the government and defense industry at the Demystify Career Opportunities in Government and Defense luncheon on Feb. 22 in the Student Union Endeavour Room.

Hosted by the Raj Soin College of Business, the event featured a discussion by four panelists with ties to Wright State who are now influential leaders in the government and defense community.

“I think it’s genius hosting these kinds of events,” said Aaron Clark, a finance major at Wright State. “It’s applicable, informative, and can help calm the uncertainty of finding jobs after graduation.”

Panelists included Cassie Barlow, president of SOCHE and retired base commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; Andrea Kunk, president of Peerless Technologies and a Raj Soin College of Business alumna; Jamie Parks, procurement analyst at the Air Force Research Laboratory and a Raj Soin College of Business alumna; Kathy Sowers, director of strategic plans, programs, requirements and analyses at the Air Force Material Command and a College of Business alumna.

The panel was moderated by Shu Schiller, Ph.D., associate dean of the College of Business.

The panelist provided insights on available positions and internships at Wright- Patterson Air Force Base, private companies that support the Air Force base and career pathways in government and benefits.

“Learning the various aspects of the internship opportunities was very inspiring and led me to put in my own application,” said Clark.