A business student is making the most of her time during her college career.
Natalie Speer, business administration senior, has filled her schedule with classes, soccer and an internship.
Speer got her associate’s degree in French from Rose State College in Midwest City. She then transferred to OCU for business administration and to continue playing soccer.
“Coming from Rose, I was able to get a good scholarship to OCU with soccer and transferring into business,” Speer said. “It was difficult finding a school that had business and soccer that wasn’t outrageously expensive.”
Speer said her dad inspired her to pursue business.
“My dad is in business. Ever since I was a kid, I was intrigued by it, but I never thought it was what I wanted to do,” Speer said.
Speer said she hopes her degrees in French and business will allow her to pursue international business.
“I’m hoping that French and business will work together in the future,” she said. “I plan on traveling, and I hope wherever I go, the two will be of use to me.”
Speer started an internship in February at Paycom, an Oklahoma City business for outsourcing payroll.
“So far it’s pretty awesome,” she said. “It’s a rapidly growing company grown in Oklahoma City.”
Speer said she worked with her advisers to find the internship.
“I had been talking with my HR professor and my advisers about finding an internship that would be flexible with my schedule,” she said. “I also went to some career fairs and went on LinkedIn.”
In addition to her internship, Speer acts as treasurer for the on-campus chapter of National Society for Leadership and Success. She also participated in the Doer’s program, a trip that takes 16 OCU students to Taiwan for two weeks to participate in cultural exchange.
“NSLS reached out to me through email. I googled it, and it seemed legit, and once I got involved, I saw the benefits,” she said. “It helps you take that step towards success.”
Speer is considering furthering her college education.
“If everything goes as planned, I will be working next semester, and I’m thinking about getting my masters,” she said.
Speer said she’s grateful for her teachers and advisers, including Lynette Martin, director of student success for the Meinders School of Business.
“Lynette Martin is one of my advisers,” Speer said. “From the first time I got here, she really invested into students. She pushed me towards certain scholarships and internships.”
Martin said Speer has worked hard to be where she is today.
“Natalie, as a transfer student, has taken ownership of her education,” Martin said. “She is the student you want, one who takes advantage of the college experience and becomes an involved student on campus.”
Speer said she advises students to work hard.
“One of my biggest pieces of advice is to take as many hours as you can,” Speer said. “If you’re struggling in a class, just do your best so you don’t have to drop it. Go to class expecting to learn and expecting to grow from it. And don’t waste your time because it flies.”
By Web Editor Jessica Vanek
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