TSB Hosts Internship and Career Expo Connecting Students with Employers
February 12, 2026
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE – More than 100 University of Mount Olive (UMO) business majors gathered this morning at the Pope Wellness Center Gym for the Tillman School of Business (TSB) Internship and Career Expo, an event designed to connect students with employers and introduce them to potential career pathways.
The expo began with an initial networking session, followed by a series of six-minute employer presentations in which the employers highlighted their respective companies, discussed workplace culture, and outlined internship and employment opportunities. The event concluded with additional networking opportunities.
Participating employers represented local, regional, statewide, and national organizations across a variety of industries, including banking, healthcare, insurance, energy, government, military service, and professional services. Businesses in attendance included Goshen Medical, KS Bank, Atlantic Casualty, Sampson-Bladen Oil, NC Department of Information Technology, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, UNC Health Wayne, and Ernst & Young. Representatives from the UMO MBA program, the University’s Business and Financial Solutions Center, and recruiters for military and federal civil service careers also addressed students.
Presenters emphasized growth opportunities, community engagement, and organizational culture. Mike Tidwell of KS Bank encouraged students to take ownership of their futures. “It is up to you how far you go,” Tidwell said. “We focus on professional development and personal fulfillment as we put unity in community.” An Atlantic Casualty representative added, “We bring a fun and family-focused atmosphere to our workplace.”
Employers discussed career paths in finance, accounting, marketing, cybersecurity, and human resources. Students also learned about the qualities organizations seek in potential hires, including reliability, strong work ethic, teamwork, and a willingness to step outside of their comfort zones to grow professionally.
Students described the experience as both informative and motivating. “My biggest take-away is that there are many companies looking for employees who are ready to learn and grow,” said Baleigh Godwin, an accounting major and management minor from Selma, NC.
Kristoffer Dalbak, a finance major from Norway, added, “I learned about some great opportunities today.”
Kayden Crawford, a business management major from Wilmington, NC, said, “I really enjoyed the presentation by Sampson-Bladen Oil. They have a lot of great opportunities both locally and statewide. Mrs. Gail Thornton was very knowledgeable and informative.”
Henry “Brayden” Taylor, a business management major from Bear Grass, NC, reflected on the value of networking. “The importance of making connections that will be useful down the road was very eye-opening to me,” he said.
Dr. Kathy T. Best, Dean of the Tillman School of Business, said the expo reflects the school’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers. “This event is just one example of how the Tillman School of Business intentionally connects classroom learning with real-world opportunities,” Best said. “Our goal is to equip students with the professional skills, confidence, and industry connections they need to succeed in today’s competitive job market.”
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
