By Marisa Palmieri
Ohio University Senior Andrea Petzold has never lived in the same place for longer than six years. At a time when many graduating seniors are apprehensive about moving out of Athens, Ohio, and into the "real world," Petzold, 21, just smiles and shrugs.
"I think it can be hard, but it definitely teaches you the ability to adapt -- to be more open-minded and flexible," says Petzold, who now calls Durango, Colo., her home.
But maybe she's more relaxed than the average senior about her future because she accepted a job last October, while many of her peers are scrambling to send out resumes this spring.
Petzold will move to Chicago this summer to start Cardinal Health's Financial Development Program.
The job offer was a dream come true for Petzold, who interned with Cardinal Health last summer and has been one of its "virtual" interns, working 10 to 15 hours a week at Ohio University via computer since fall quarter.
"I knew after spending the summer at the corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, that I wanted to find a full-time position with the company," she says.
During her two-year long appointment to one of Cardinal Health's many leadership development programs, Petzold will rotate to different areas of the company every six-months to one year.
One might think that having landed a job in early fall, Petzold would be tempted to take it easy her senior year.
"I worked hard for three years, why slack off now?" she says.
She has remained busy keeping up her 3.7 grade point average and staying involved in the Corporate Leadership Program, where she is one of 12 business students chosen to represent the College of Business to the corporate world. The group recently traveled to Seattle to meet with some of the city's top executives, including those with Starbucks and the Seattle Mariners.
"Corporate Leadership Fellows definitely aided in the development of my professional skills," she says. "The program helped me to become more confident and comfortable interacting with professionals."
Many of Petzold's leadership skills were acquired through her experience last year as president of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. Although it was a stressful time for her, she said it was worth it because she learned delegation and decision making skills -- what she calls, "skills you can't learn in the classroom."
Although Petzold is accustomed to moving and embraces change, she said she is going to miss Ohio University -- Stroud's Run, Ping, "just hanging out" and the novelty of Athens. "There are so many things that are unique to Athens, things that are here and only here."
Marisa Palmieri is a student writer for University Communications and Marketing
