Chris Hoefke has completed his first year of study with the MBA Program and expects to graduate in 2005 with a concentration in Finance. Before entering the program, Chris received a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Northern Illinois University and worked for Anixter International, Inc. as a Business Analyst and Project Leader in the Information Systems department. While studying for his MBA, Chris worked for W.W. Grainger in the Treasury department. He serves on the MBAA Executive Board and is involved with several student clubs, including the Graduate Finance Association and the Graduate Marketing Association.

Chris decided to get an MBA in order to position himself for upward mobility in his career. He specifically chose the University of Illinois because he was impressed by the outstanding credentials of the faculty. After entering the program, he has found their presentation of the material to be particularly effective and engaging.

This summer, Chris worked in a sales and marketing position for Anixter International, Inc. in New Orleans. The objective of his internship was to develop new business in a market segment that has significant potential for expansion. He worked on a marketing plan, developed customer relations, and went out on sales calls.

Over the past year, Chris has gained an understanding of both the fundamentals and intricacies of business from a practical perspective. While his undergraduate studies provided him with the necessary technical skills, his experiences in the Illinois MBA Program have impacted his ability to think abstractly and about the business as a whole. He has found that the comprehensive nature of both the curriculum and the environment have accelerated his transition from information systems to a business management role.