The Wisconsin School of Business has a lot to celebrate this commencement season, with more than 870 undergraduate Business Badgers graduating. Whether the next step is making an impact in their chosen field, heading to graduate school, or launching that venture they’ve dreamed of, our soon-to-be graduates are writing the story of what comes next. On the cusp of graduation, six notable WSB students share their thoughts and future plans.
Suji Goetzke (BBA ’25)
Program: Marketing; Management and Human Resources, Management track
My future professional plans are: To keep growing GC Consulting, the company I started during my semester abroad. I’ll be moving to Copenhagen to work alongside my Danish co-founder, who I met at UW-Madison through the WSB-Copenhagen Business School exchange program.
What I wish I knew as an incoming student: The real game isn’t in the classroom; it’s in the conversations you’re bold enough to start. Grades mean nothing if you don’t know how to talk to people, follow up, and turn a conversation into an opportunity.
Rachel Kane (BBA ’25)
Program: Business Administration, Human Resources; UW–Madison Online
What I will miss most about WSB is: The long nights looking at my computer screen knowing that I am not only advancing my skills but showing my four teenagers what grit and determination look like.
One of my favorite moments at WSB was: Being awarded the nontraditional student Crankstart Reentry scholarship and going to the ceremony. Getting to walk the campus after only attending online classes truly made me feel like I was getting the college experience.
Valerie Magana (BBA ’25)
Program: Marketing; Certificate in Statistics
My future professional plans are: Working as a research project specialist for a consumer insights and data company called Numerator in Chicago. Last summer, I had the pleasure of interning with Numerator, and I’m incredibly excited and grateful to return to such a great team.
What I will miss most about WSB is: Throughout my time at WSB, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the board of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), working as a WSB Precollege Intern, and being a scholar recipient through the Business Emerging Leaders (BEL) and Advertising Research Foundation Workforce Initiative for Diversity and Excellence (ARF WIDE) programs. My favorite part of each experience was the people who surrounded me.
Liam Oas (BBA ’25)
Program: Finance, Investment and Banking; Risk and Insurance; Certificate in Accounting
My future professional plans are: Working as a junior reinsurance broker in Minneapolis and volunteering at my local Habitat for Humanity affiliate.
The WSB class that inspired me the most was: Finance 300 with Associate Professor Stacie Kelley. It was my first finance class and it really laid the foundation for all the different avenues I could take within the realm of finance. The class was intense and motivated me to work harder than ever before.
Mamie Redfearn (BBA ’25)
Program: Marketing
What I wish I knew as an incoming student: Every aspect of you is welcome here, not just the polished parts. Talk to the people around you, and you’ll see we are all just as gloriously chaotic as you!
My favorite project I worked on at WSB was: Recency bias aside, the Marketplace Simulation was definitely my favorite. Nothing brings people together like fake products, real deadlines, and a group chat full of strategic panic.
Henry Ruck (BBA ’25)
Program: Real Estate; Entrepreneurship
My future professional plans are: Working for PJT Partners in their strategic advisory business.
What I wish I knew as an incoming student: The connections you make with your peers and professors are just as valuable as the education you are receiving, so focus on meeting new people and staying in touch.