Sometimes a breakthrough requires a break from the routine.
Arkansas Tech University students Nikki Victory and Allie Stoll traveled to Boston, Mass., to attend a meeting of the National Millennial and Gen Z Community (NMGZ) April 13-16.
“This experience made things seem achievable,” said Victory. “I used to think I wasn’t professional enough, not smart enough…not anything enough. But after meeting with top executives of some of the biggest companies in the world, I realized that we’re still all humans. I don’t have to be perfect to make it. I have to be innovative, creative and persevere. I realized that not every workplace may be for me. However, I will continue to further my education and find a career that I love.”
Founded in 2016, NMGZ is a national organization that brings together students, young professionals and civic leaders to engage in multi-generational conversations aimed at challenging misconceptions and elevating the voices of millennials (defined as people born between 1981-96) and generation Z (defined as people born between 1997-2012).
The meeting provided Victory, a sophomore business management and digital marketing major from Mayflower, and Stoll, a sophomore business data analytics major from Benton, with opportunities to network with peers from across the United States.
“It can be intimidating traveling with business students who go to larger schools and are from areas with tons of large companies,” said Stoll. “There were quite a few Californians and New Yorkers. Sometimes I get caught in a ‘I am just from Arkansas’ state of mind, when really that has nothing to do with how I will end up. All of the executives we talked to came from schools about the size of ATU. I was so shocked about that. It really inspired me to think bigger. I limited myself to working in Arkansas because I always thought that was all I could do. This trip made me realize I can end up in Boston working at one of these companies.”
The experience also showed Stoll that major companies are more relaxed in reality than they were in her mind.
“All of the workplaces we visited were really laid back,” said Stoll. “The execs dressed in casual clothes, and with every visit the NMGZ students were dressed up more than them. It honestly took pressure off of me. One of my goals is to work for a larger company, so seeing the people I wanted to be like having such a calm atmosphere and personality really made me feel like I could accomplish that goal.”
Victory and Stoll were accompanied on the trip by Katie Hook, ATU instructor of business administration and coordinator of outreach and student success in the ATU College of Business and Economic Development.
“During the trip, we engaged in meaningful discussions with executives from companies including SharkNinja, Macy’s, MullenLowe U.S. and Converse,” said Hook. “These conversations provided students with invaluable insight into the evolving workforce and the power of authentic representation.”
ATU was the only university or college from Arkansas represented at the National Millennial and Gen Z Community conference in Boston.
“The opportunity reflects Arkansas Tech University’s ongoing commitment to student success by connecting academic learning with real-world, high-impact experiences,” said Hook. “Through partnerships like this, ATU continues to provide meaningful pathways for students to grow as leaders, innovators and professionals prepared to thrive in a global economy.”
Hook, Victory and Stoll expressed appreciation to Bill Imada, co-founder of the National Millennial and Gen Z Community, and Jimmy Ferguson, ATU benefactor and former Arkansas Tech assistant vice president and dean of students, for the roles they played in making it possible for the ATU delegation to participate in the conference.
“I have had my mind set on accomplishing great things my whole life,” said Victory. “This trip made me realize that those dreams can become a reality. The world is a huge place with so much opportunity. All you have to do is put yourself out there, meet new people and claim those things for yourself.”
Learn more about the National Millennial and Gen Z Community at www.nationalmillennialcommunity.com.
Learn more about the ATU College of Business and Economic Development at www.atu.edu/business.
