By Tameka Shockley

On Tuesday, March 27^th, 2018, in the Bank of America Building, The College of Business students were up early to get a head start on their dreams. The Delaware Executive Exchange Program or, as they like to call it–DEEP Day, is a day full of intense panels, interviews and professional development for students to receive real world experience and place themselves ahead of the competition before they graduate.

The companies that were at the event included WSFS Bank, Mastercard, KPMG and Piedmont Airlines. Some of these companies also doubled as sponsors. Hornets were dressed to impress and had a great time showing it off through social media through the hashtags #DSUDEEPDay2018 and #DEEPDay. There was even a social media ring light to give students the perfect lighting they needed for impromptu headshots.

The day started out strong with a welcome breakfast followed by a series of innovative panels such as “The Art of the Interview” and “Understanding Your Personal Brand: Why Is Your Brand Unique and Distinct?”

Students also benefitted from an inspiring address from Keynote Speaker, Mr. Christopher Nichols, who is the Group Vice President- Market Manager for M&T Bank and is responsible for the six regions and 100+ branches across Southern New Jersey, Philadelphia, Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He talked a lot about remaining patient with one’s dreams and always putting one’s best foot forward in everything one does.

The day ended strong with the annual Business Case Competition. This year’s problem addressed the issue of homelessness and some of the esteemed judges who voted on the teams included our Provost, Dr. Tony Allen, and Mayor Robin R. Christiansen.

Senior Management Information Systems major, Xavier Wilcher, was excited to attend his last DEEP Day with the company he will work for upon graduation, KPMG. After a mock interview with the company his junior year, he gained an internship with the company and turned it into a full-time job offer. He says, “Deep Day can be beneficial if you make it work to your advantage and use all of the resources we as students are presented on a daily basis. This day was made for us to excel in the areas we want careers in.”

The COB holds this event every year in the Bank of America Building.