Alvernia University Alumni

The O'Pake Institute helped Brody DeGroodt '24, MBA ’25, stockpile experience for his future during his time at Alvernia.

“It’s been fantastic,” he said. “A lot of entry-level jobs want two years of experience. But if you’ve just graduated college, how are you expected to get that? O’Pake has actually solved that problem. We’re completing college with all this experience.”

During his time as a Fellow and a Graduate Assistant, he worked on the following, all before graduating:

-His initial project, begun in 2024, involved helping the READING AREA FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM increase its volunteer roster and attract more visitors. The intensive consultation over a few months involved an analysis of strengths and weaknesses and a business plan that included improving the website, bolstering social media and connecting with other organizations to promote the museum to tourists. He also created an electronic database for its numerous artifacts dating to the 18th century.

-He helped present eight sessions on personal finance for English-speaking registrants of the Financial Empowerment Series, open to Alvernia students and community members. Topics included budgeting, investing, and student loans.

-He repeated those presentations for Opportunity House, a local nonprofit that helps unhoused people.

-He also completed a project management certification.

“The most interesting part is working with a client and applying what I learned in the classroom to the real world,” said DeGroodt, who received his MBA at Alvernia ahead of entering Syracuse Law School in the fall. “I’m able to step out of my comfort zone and try something new.”

Read more about Brody's journey and the projects he worked on 🔗 https://www.alvernia.edu/success-stories/opake-institute-work-helps-mba-student-stockpile-experience-future-career

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