Business - Student Profile - Joel Lederman

Joel Lederman
Sophomore, Business
Middlebury, Indiana

What drew you to Hesston College?
My parents had a big influence on my decision because they are both Hesston College alumni. I also had no desire to continue on after two years, so getting a two-year business degree from here was attractive.

What attracts you to Business?
There are endless opportunities in the business world, and that excites me. Many people view making money in business as a negative thing, but I think it can be a gift, depending on how you use it.

How challenging are the academics in the Business program?
The academics of the Hesston business program are challenging, but different from normal work. I say this because they integrate a lot of personal thought into assignments, so it's not just repeating answers. That has been very beneficial for my development over the past two years.

What is your favorite Business course? Why is it your favorite?
I would consider any of Bill Mason's classes favorites, because he is a great guy with a lot of business experience. Marketing and Sales, Management, and the Small Group Business Study that I had with him were all very helpful. He has years of experience in many different aspects of business, which I think can be more helpful than a great education. He even taught my dad when he was here 25 years ago!

Did you find opportunities/learning experiences outside the classroom?
Throughtout the past 2 years, I have had the opportunity to interview, job shadow, and meet many local business people. In Bill Mason's independant study, we traveled to tour and talk with a few different companies, and I found those to be great learning experiences.

What are the professors like in the department?
The professors were very helpful in the business department. Not only do they want you to learn about business, they care about your personal and spiritual growth as well.

What are some of your most memorable moments as a student at Hesston?
Hangin out in the mod with the guys, weekend campus activities, mod olympics, Thanksgiving weekend, pranking, sporting events...there's so much to list.

What are your plans for after Hesston?
After graduation, I'm planning on going back home to Middlebury, Indiana, and working for my dad. My family owns and operates a tree nursery, so I plan to be a part of that, and someday take that over with my brother.