This is part of #EberlyAmazingStudents, a series from the IUP Eberly College of Business and Information Technology that focuses on students who are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities.
The IUP Eberly College of Business and Information Technology today features senior marketing major Emily Kostelnik, who chose to attend IUP because of Eberly's AACSB accreditation and the Business Honors program.
Emily was born and raised in Pittsburgh, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, in a neighborhood named Lawrenceville, a mere 10-minute drive from the downtown area. Emily first learned about IUP during her years in high school and states that she fell in love with the university when touring campus with her parents."When I toured Eberly, I felt very at-home, and knew it was the right fit for me." Aside from a deep appreciation for the campus and the Eberly facility, the primary reason behind Emily's decision to attend IUP was the AACSB accreditation that Eberly held coupled with the Business Honors program."Once I was accepted into the program, I knew it would be beneficial for me later on when looking for employment opportunities."
Emily is a very active member in the Eberly community and has earned the presidential position of two separate organizations: Phi Gamma Nu and the College of Business Student Advisory Council. She also works part-time for Eberly's Digital Marketing Team, which she credits for many of the skills that she has learned and utilized in her internships. "I have made so many professional and personal connections through the business college."
Emily has been the president of both PGN and COBSAC for nearly a year, but began her participation early on. Through working her way up to where she is today, Emily has learned many lessons and had countless valuable experiences. However, she cites her role as president as the most valuable. "My leadership positions have had the strongest impact on me throughout college I learned to balance my time, work with a team, change my perspectives on ideas, and grow as a leader."
Emily has also interned with several Pittsburgh companies in the past few summers. She has held a number of positions and internships in her field, including with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Magazine, Highmark Health, and the nonprofit Dress for Success Pittsburgh. "I'm glad I worked in a variety of industries. It helped me to quickly confirm what I want most out of an employer for post-graduation while also broadening my skill set to match many fields."
When asked about her core values and beliefs, Emily said, "My favorite quotes are hard work pays off' and you get out what you put into it.' I stand by these every day because I truly believe putting in work and believing in yourself and your dreams will take you as far as you want to go. I hope others believe that just as much and do the same."
Emily plans to continue pursuing and filling leadership positions throughout her career, as she has as a student. "Leading others in their professional journey is something that I'm passionate about, and I hope to lead in my work and in organizations post-graduation."
About #EberlyAmazingStudents
The #EberlyAmazingStudents series features students who are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities. Associate Dean Cyndy Strittmatter is overseeing the project. "We are proud of our students who balance their academics with extracurricular activities and recognize the commitment that it takes to excel at all levels. We look forward to sharing their accomplishments with the IUP community and beyond!"