Michaela Johnson '21

Majors: Business Administration, Information Technology and Spanish

Why this major?

I chose to pursue a degree in business administration because I liked how general the major was. After leaving high school, I was not sure which area of business I wanted to study. Business administration gave me the opportunity to take a mixture of different business classes such as accounting, economics and marketing. This helped me get a feel for which business track I wanted to pursue.

What is your career objective?

I am also studying Spanish and information technology in addition to business administration. I think this will help me stand apart from all the other candidates when applying for a job. My main career objective is to work internationally for a business. I would also love to be able to work my way up the corporate ladder.

How has what you’ve learned prepared you for your future?

Through my business courses, I feel like I have a much better understanding of how businesses work from the financial aspect of things. I’ve learned not only how to create financial documents, but how to read them and analyze the information about how the business is doing. I have also learned about economic issues that are happening nationally and globally. I never realized how different nations' economies impact each other, especially in regard to trading and how much we rely on other countries. I believe that taking these courses has helped me become more prepared to handle real-life scenarios for a legitimate business.

Have you had opportunities to work closely with Carroll faculty?

As a sophomore, I never expected to get the chance to apply for an internship until my junior or senior year. However, Dean Bialek approached me about an internship with a company that he thought would be a perfect fit for me. I ended up receiving the internship opportunity and I am currently working on a project for the company. At bigger schools you wouldn’t be able to say you had a conversation with the dean of business, much less get recommended by them for an internship. Since I am able to work at a place like Carroll’s Business Hall, I am able to work closely with all the business professors and develop relationships that have helped me gain important educational opportunities.

What is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your education at Carroll?

My most memorable experience was a volunteer project I did at St. Anthony’s Middle School during my Spanish class. At the school, I worked with children who had just immigrated to the United States. These kids were not at the same educational level as their classmates and could not speak English. I translated worksheets, taught the lesson plans and interacted with these students all in Spanish for a day. It was a very eye-opening experience to help kids adapt to a new school and a new country, especially when they didn’t know the language. I’m grateful for this experience because it made me realize how much of my education I take for granted, which allowed me to have a deeper appreciation for my own academic opportunities.

How has Carroll enriched your growth as a person?

At Carroll, I have pushed myself farther than I thought I could ever go. I am currently triple-majoring, playing a college sport, balancing two jobs and doing an internship. Through my college experience, I have learned all about time management and how to find a happy medium between school and having fun. Most importantly, Carroll has taught me that I can set high expectations for myself and still achieve them.

What would you say to someone considering business administration?

I would highly recommend my major to a prospective student because of all the routes they can take with a business administration major. This major allows students to easily add minors or other majors and still graduate on time. I think that business administration is a great major to pursue because it is so broad and allows students to explore other business tracks within the program’s courses.

How has financial aid made a difference in your life?

I received the Hilger Tradition Award as well as the Carroll Trustee Scholar Award. Additionally, I won the Lila Burton scholarship through my high school. Financial aid has played a huge role in my life because it has taken so much weight off my shoulders. I am able to concentrate on my education and put all my effort into doing well at school, instead of worrying about how I am going to pay off student loans.

What’s your favorite place to study on campus?

I enjoy studying in the Learning Commons with my friends.

Learn more about the Business Administration program

Find success at CarrollJoin our pioneer community

Apply Now!