Linking Learning to Industry

The ACHIEVE program in the School of Business Administration (SBA) is a powerful catalyst for connecting students with industry leaders and furthering professional development. All SBA undergraduates must complete ACHIEVE, a series of three courses that teach students core competencies including communication, networking, professionalism, critical thinking and ethical decision making. The program also includes hands-on programming including workshops, resume reviews and mock interviews with industry professionals.

From ACHIEVE to REx Sense
In a mock interview scheduled through the ACHIEVE 3990 course, volunteer Travis Peterson, Director of Sales and Program Management at Lear Corporation and Co-Founder of REx Sense, saw an opportunity to facilitate meaningful connection.

Travis, a dedicated ACHIEVE volunteer and SBA Executive in Residence, often facilitates mock interviews for the ACHIEVE program, helping students polish their interview skills and prepare for the “real thing.” It was there that he encountered Theresa Lowery, at the time, a senior marketing student at Oakland University. Impressed by her strong knack for data aggregation and analysis within the marketing realm combined with her professional presentation skills, Travis saw a perfect fit for his startup, REx Sense. In February 2023, REx Sense hired Theresa for a project based contract role, a decision that would prove pivotal for both parties.

Exceeding Expectations
REx Sense was in the midst of market testing and Theresa’s work fit a key need. Her marketing project, which she presented in March 2023 to both co-founders, proved valuable to REx Sense. "Theresa exceeded our expectations and demonstrated a high level of skill for someone unfamiliar with our industry, but fully understood the statement of work we issued her and completed a meaningful project that we utilize still on our end."

Linking students with industry leaders harnesses a mutually beneficial dynamic, where students acquire real-world insights and experience, while industry leaders tap into new perspectives and potential talent pools. Lowery notes, “Working with REx Sense added valuable, relevant experience to my resume prior to graduation. I am forever grateful to the ACHIEVE program for connecting me with Travis and helping me discover my passion for market research.”

“I'm really looking forward to staying involved with the SBA as a volunteer. I've witnessed firsthand the benefits that the ACHIEVE program brings to students and industry, and I'm excited to keep contributing to its success.” said Peterson.

Learn more about the ACHIEVE program.