Campus Involvement and Academic Achievement Help Ramsburg Land Position with Target Corporate Posted on March 9th, 2012 by Lisa Klass '12

Gustavus senior Alaina Ramsburg

Four years ago, Alaina Ramsburg was impressed by how warm and enthusiastic the Gustie Greeters were in helping her navigate her First Year Orientation experience, as a result, she set a goal to become a Greeter and help other first year students work their way through the challenging first part of the college experience.   Three years later, the leadership skills gained through her participation with the Greeters combined with a strong academic program in the Department of Economics and Management has helped Ramsburg secure a highly sought after position with Target Corporate in Minneapolis.

When Ramsburg drove up College Avenue for the first time in the fall of 2008, she was filled with excitement about attending Gustavus, yet nervous about what might happen in her all-important college years. Fortunately for Ramsburg, her desire to learn new things and work hard has led to a great opportunity with a national corporation such as Target.

“Gustavus provides so many opportunities for students to gain valuable leadership experience, all you have to do is take the time to get involved,” stated the senior from Eden Prairie, Minn.

Ramsburg has been involved with the Gustavus Youth Outreach, the Alumni Mentoring Program, and Peer Career Advisors, but nothing prepared her for life after college like being a Gustie Greeter.

“I have never been a part of a group that has helped me grow as a person more than the Gustie Greeters,” she said.  “Most importantly, I have learned how to work effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and skill sets to best serve the group and the campus as a whole”.

Ramsburg (left) and fellow Gustie Greeters during First-Year Orientation.

Academically, Ramsburg is a Management major and Religion minor who has found inspiration from Professor of Management, Dr. Kathi Tunheim. Ramsburg describes Tunheim as “an incredible resource for Gustavus students in the business world, especially for women.” Tunheim’s years of business experience as a corporate consultant in the Twin Cities allows her to pass on valuable practical information in her classes. As a mentor, Tunheim has helped Ramsburg prepare for her new position at Target Corporate where she will begin as a Merchandise Planning Business Analyst in August.

Ramsburg’s road to her new position started when she walked into the Gustavus Career Development Office in the college’s Center for Servant Leadership. In the fall of her junior year, the Career Development Office helped Ramsburg prepare for the Minnesota Private College Job and Internship Fair by guiding her to set up a pre-select interview for an internship at Target.  Ramsburg said “preparing for the interview was crucial” due to how many people were applying for the same internship.  “The help I received from both the career center staff and alumni volunteers set me apart from others applying from the same position.”

As a result of the preparation, Ramsburg was selected for an interview before she even got to the fair and she was offered a Business Analyst internship position a few weeks later. That opportunity allowed her to showcase her skills to the management at Target, which played a big part in her being offered a full-time position at the end of her summer internship.

With job in hand, Ramsburg can now spend her final semester at Gustavus focusing on completing her academic work, enjoying her friends, and taking part in the activities on campus. “It is a bit sad to think that my time at Gustavus is nearing an end, but it has turned out to be everything I hoped it would be when I drove up that hill for the first time four years ago,” stated Ramsburg.  “The memories I have gained in working with the Greeters and the ways I have been challenged to learn and grow will stay with me the rest of my life.”

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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication Luc Hatlestad
luch@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510