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Thinking Forward: Q&A with OSU Alumnus Joel Walker, Client Manager at SGK
The social media team sat down with Joel Walker ’20, MBA ’21 at the College of Business Student Leadership Conference to talk about his experience at OSU as well as his advice on finding professional success.
College of Business: What made you choose OSU in the first place?
Joel Walker: Funny enough, I didn’t even know OSU was a school until I started getting recruited in my junior year of high school. I was verbally committed to the United States Air Force Academy, but through the recruitment process, I made a great connection with Associate Head Coach Ben Stoddard, and after processing my goals with my family and friends, going to OSU made a ton of sense for my academic and athletic future. Coach Stoddard sent me a video highlighting OSU’s campus. The opportunities for growth appeared endless to me, so I decommitted from the Air Force and committed to Oregon State to pursue a College of Business degree and play in the Pac-12 on the men’s soccer team. I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
COB: What is your greatest accomplishment while at OSU?
JW: Wow, what a question! I’m going to cheat and say that everything that happened in 2021 was my greatest accomplishment at OSU. At the beginning of 2021, I proposed to my now wife of three years in Corvallis. In spring 2021, I was named the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the soccer team entered the NCAA tournament as the No. 1 seed, I completed my human resource management MBA, and I married my beautiful bride! It was a fun and busy year at OSU.
From what I’ve learned then and now, curiosity always leads to growth and deeper understanding.
Joel Walker
COB: What was your favorite thing about attending OSU?
JW: The community and people. This one is too easy to answer. A few things I always tell people about OSU… I never got tired of walking around the campus — even through the cold and rainy winters. I always appreciated the historic look of the buildings, the vibrant greenery from the trees and grass, and I met so many incredible students, professors, administrative leaders, coaches and people. It is one of my favorite places to go back to.
COB: Were there any classes that taught you important skills you find important in your professional career?
JW: The BA 160 series during my freshman year with Boss Hodges and BA 550 Organizational Leadership during my Master’s. Having the BA 160 series as my first courses at the College of Business showed me the endless opportunities that are out there in the business world. From making a LinkedIn profile to running a sock business with my other classmates (#DAMSox), there were foundations of business acumen that were built in the first year that I will never forget. My MBA Organizational Leadership class was incredibly beneficial as I was captaining the men’s soccer team and planning to dive into my post-grad career plans. Being able to take a deep dive into topics such as servant leadership, humble leadership and empowering leadership supported my appetite and overall excitement to grow as a leader.
COB: What was the biggest lesson (life lesson and/or educational lesson) you learned while attending OSU?
JW: Be curious. I learned this from my pastor, mentors, professors and friends. From what I’ve learned then and now, curiosity always leads to growth and a deeper understanding of, first and foremost, myself, and then my family, friends, co-workers and the community around me.
COB: What advice would you give someone graduating college and entering the professional world?
JW: Be hungry to grow and walk as confidently as you can into any space you walk into. Also, ask questions every day — even when you’re the CEO of some awesome company someday.
The BA 160 series my freshmen year with Boss Hodges and BA 550 Organizational Leadership during my Master’s. Having the BA 160 series as my first courses in the College of Business showed me the endless opportunities that are out there in the business world.
Joel Walker
COB: What skills are essential for success after college?
JW: Critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills are essential for a successful career. Ask questions, present solutions to those around you, and ask more questions to understand the best ways to communicate with your internal and external business peers. I love what my boss always says: you can teach anyone how to use new software or Microsoft Suite, but being able to remain composed and find solutions with people through the day-to-day opportunities and friction points is where a lot of fun and impact happen in the post-college world.