By Angelina Castro ’16
Earlier this month, Siena College students presented their research during the 10th annual Student Conference in Business. Participants shared research in the areas of economics, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary business.
“The Conference definitely reaffirmed the fact that public speaking is something you’re going to do in your everyday life beyond Siena,” said marketing major Sarah Burr ’15. “You rely a lot on yourself to really practice your presentation. It helps you learn how to prepare ahead of time.”
At the Conference in Business, Burr shared her research on the fear of missing out. She worked with Professor of Marketing Cheryl Buff, Ph.D. to continue research that was started by a previous Siena Student. Burr expanded upon the work that was already completed and administered her own survey.
Her success with the project allowed her to present her research at the Clute International Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada last October.
Fellow marketing major Stephen Barretta ’15 presented his research paper at an international conference in Puerto Rico, but he didn’t make the trip. Instead, Barretta submitted the Power Point slides and delivered his presentation in an “e-session.”
“The objective we had was to see if someone’s culture influences their reactions or attitudes towards advertisements,” Barretta said.
Barretta began his research while studying abroad in Turkey last spring. When he returned to the United States, Barretta created a mirror study to compare the two sets of data. Barretta’s research submission won best paper in its track at the conference, even though he presented it from afar.
“Doing research and being successful at it is something that I liked,” Barretta said. “Because of the resources at Siena, I know when I get into the workforce, I’ll be able to go into (it) with a lot more experience that someone who didn’t have the chance to do practical research while they were in college.”
Along with celebrating the work of current Siena College students, the annual Student Conference in Business welcomed Senior Vice President of Sales Operations and Strategy at Monster.com
Bob Bladel ’80 back to campus. During his keynote address, Bladel share some advice, including the importance of staying loyal to a company while growing and gaining new work experiences.
Through presentations and an engaging keynote speaker, Siena’s Student Conference in Business provided students with experiences and knowledge they’ll be able to apply as they begin their careers.
