Author: Hannah Roberts

Faculty, staff, students and alumni can head to the JCPenney Suit-Up event to save up to 45% off select career wear, shoes and accessories when you use the extra 30% off suit-up coupon available at the JCPenney Suit-Up event from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 at JCPenney in Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg Dr. 

Make sure you bring your Shocker ID or number, or you can shop online by texting “SHOCKS” to 67292 to get your 30% off coupon.

Kaushik Avancha’s journey from student to professional is a testament to the transformative power of education and the opportunities available at Wichita State. As a proud alum, he attributes much of his career success to the resources, experiences and support he received during his time at WSU.

Recently, he secured a role as a production scheduler at Starport Technologies, part of MCC, a leading label manufacturing company. In this position, he is responsible for overseeing and optimizing plant operations, analyzing performance metrics and ensuring seamless coordination across multiple departments. “It’s a position that not only challenges me but also allows me to leverage the skills and knowledge I cultivated at WSU,” Kaushik said.

Join the Shocker Career Accelerator for the Fairmount College Career Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center. Meet and chat with employers interested in hiring co-op students and part-time/full-time employees. Visit wichita.edu/FairmountFair to learn more.

Nidhi Shenoy’s journey as an international student pursuing her Master’s of Science in economics and quantitative analysis reflects ambition, resilience and a strong desire for growth. Expected to graduate in May 2026, she arrived in the United States in July 2024 after earning her bachelor’s degree in journalism and economics in India.

The move marked a significant turning point as she sought to gain a global perspective on economics, blending her undergraduate expertise with new learnings to create a unique career niche. During her first semester, Nidhi demonstrated a remarkable ability to seize opportunities and multitask.

Daysha Bullocks earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2020 and her master’s degree in sport management in 2021. During her time at Wichita State, she excelled not only academically but also athletically, competing in track and field. Daysha’s exceptional time-management skills allowed her to seize a variety of applied learning opportunities that paved the way for her future success.

One opportunity came through the Living Sport program, which enabled Daysha to participate in the NHL All-Star Weekend in 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Through this experience, Daysha engaged with fans, distributed merchandise and facilitated hockey-related games. Her journey continued in Las Vegas working as a Raiders ambassador. Describing this role as the highlight of her career, Daysha fondly recalls assisting with Raiderettes tryouts, organizing community events and working at the 2022 NFL Draft.

Graduating seniors can receive a free WSU alumni T-shirt by completing a brief survey.

Here’s how to participate:

1. Log in to Shocker Central: Use your WSU credentials to access your account.
2. Complete the Survey: You will be prompted to complete the survey after you log in. If you don’t see it, navigate to the “Outcomes” box and click “+Report Status.” for Post-Graduation.

Your input is invaluable to us, and it will help us track the success of our graduates. We’re eager to hear about your future endeavors, whether you’re pursuing graduate school, entering the workforce, or taking a different path.

The Shocker Career Accelerator is collecting Post Graduation Outcomes (PGO) for all undergraduate and graduate students who plan to graduate in fall 2024. Previously called the First Destination Survey, post-graduation outcomes collected via Shocker Central provide insights into recent graduates’ employment status, further education and other career-related activities. The information collected provides clear, concise and consistent data on the outcomes associated with a college education on a national scale.

Outcomes include:

• Types of employment — full or part-time, contract, freelance, other
• Additional education, e.g. accepted to graduate or professional school
• Still seeking either employment, further education or military
• Starting salary for those employed full-time

How can you contribute to the success of collecting post-graduation outcomes? 

• Encourage your graduating students to take this short (three to five minutes) survey
• See below for example marketing text you can email to your fall 2024 graduates or add to your classroom Blackboard

“Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Wichita State!

You’ll receive a FREE WSU Alumni T-shirt by completing this brief survey.

Here’s how to participate:

1. Log in to Shocker Central: Use your WSU SSO credentials to access your account.
2. Complete the Survey: You will be prompted to complete the survey after you log in. If you don’t see it, navigate to the “Outcomes” box and click “+Report Status.” for Post-Graduation.

Your input is invaluable to us, and it will help us track the success of our graduates. We’re eager to hear about your future endeavors, whether you’re pursuing graduate school, entering the workforce, or taking a different path.

Learn more“

Bhavani Ruthwik Goteti, a graduate student in management science and supply chain management (MSSCM) at Wichita State, is carving an impressive path for himself in logistics and supply chain management. Originally from Hyderabad, India, Ruthwik now interns at Union Pacific Railroad under Loup Logistics, where he applies his academic knowledge to solve real-world logistics challenges. His journey — from classroom to career — has been one of growth, innovation and inspiration.

The MSSCM program at WSU equipped Ruthwik with the skills needed to excel in his role. Courses such as Introduction to Business Analytics, taught by Murtuza Nasir, helped him understand the power of data in solving industry-specific challenges. Meanwhile, Global Procurement and Outsourcing, taught by Ashley Gerlach, sharpened his networking and negotiation skills. Ruthwik credits this coursework with giving him the knowledge to hit the ground running at Union Pacific.

As an intern, Ruthwik has gained invaluable insights into carrier operations, pricing strategies, and the impact of demand fluctuations. His role has underscored the importance of railroads in supporting the U.S. economy and maintaining supply chain stability. This experience has deepened his appreciation for the complexity and significance of railroad logistics.

Meet Paige Youngdahl, a senior at Wichita State majoring in information technology and management information systems. This past summer, Paige advanced her skills as a data analyst intern at Koch Industries.

Reflecting on the experience, Paige says her favorite part has been connecting classroom concepts to real-world applications. “I can’t explain how many things clicked that I didn’t fully understand from my classes. I have learned so much and have met so many amazing people.” Paige encourages other students to pursue internships, saying, “For me, it was like two puzzle pieces were coming together. I’m currently learning the textbook knowledge I need, while also seeing how this knowledge is used in a business.”

Meet Ja’Nae McKelvy, a dedicated sport management student at Wichita State, who is making significant strides in her field. After completing an internship with the Kansas City Chiefs as a KC Training Camp Intern this past summer, Ja’Nae is excited to take on a new role as the fall 2024 intern with the Kansas City Sports Commission & Foundation.

Reflecting on her time with the Chiefs, Ja’Nae shares “One of the highlights from camp,” she recalls, “was being able to watch practices and stand on the field with the players.” That experience not only deepened her appreciation for the sport but also enhanced her understanding of teamwork and leadership.