Excellence in a Discipline | 2024-25
Sophia Cichocki
Excellence in a Discipline - General Management
What is your favorite Seidman memory?
My favorite Seidman memory was all of the roleplays and
activities we did in Paul Hillman’s Management 340 class, but
specifically his signature “the Dollar Game” we played in his class.
This is a staple in his 340 class, and I can’t give away any tips on
how to win, but it was eye opening to see all the ways students won in
other classes, versus our class barely winning anything. My class
definitely got out-smarted!
Our building namesake – Bill Seidman – exhibited many
desirable traits of a leader such as an innovator, integrity,
curiosity, and future-minded. How did your experience at Seidman
help you develop one or more of these traits?
Curiosity has always been a defining trait of mine, and the
Seidman College of Business nurtured this quality by encouraging me to
ask questions, explore new perspectives, and actively engage in
discussions. Through class conversations, I was able to deepen my
understanding and refine my critical thinking skills. The professors
created a safe and supportive environment that fostered and brought
out curiosity, creating a community where curiosity and engagement was
not just welcomed but celebrated.
What would you like people in the community to know about
Seidman graduates like you?
Seidman graduates are thoroughly prepared for the next step and
eager to jump into their careers because our curiosity drives us to
learn, adapt, and innovate. We don’t just attend class—we show up
engaged and ready to participate. Balancing rigorous coursework with
professional commitments, as many of us also work for businesses
deeply rooted in Grand Rapids, helps us apply our skills learned from
Seidman while being full-time students, and allows us to have the
strongest time management skills. We have the strongest ability to
manage time effectively and embrace challenges with curiosity,
ensuring us to be assets in our next step forward for any business.
What is your career aspiration?
I would love to be a people leader one day, and inspire younger
generations to help foster young careers like professors have done for
us Seidman students and leaders I have had at Steelcase the past two
years. This support at the beginning of my career has helped me
discover what I am passionate about, and I would love to be able to do
this for a young professional like myself down the road. I am excited
to be starting my career at Steelcase as a Hybrid Collaboration
Customer Marketing Specialist, where I have interned for the past two
years and hope to continue my career there. I am super excited for my
next step in the journey.
How did your time at Seidman College prepare you to contribute
to your community as a Laker for a Lifetime?
My time at Seidman has prepared me to contribute to my community
as a Laker for a Lifetime by encouraging connections between fellow
students and professors. It has shown me the value of building
meaningful connections and the impact those relationships can have.
Through curiosity, collaboration, and a passion for learning, I’ve
developed strong bonds that have played a key role in launching my
career. I would love to stay connected with GVSU and hope to give back
by mentoring younger students as they begin their professional journeys.
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