When University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student and Stevens Point native Gracie Gundersen graduated from high school, she was ready to explore what lied beyond her hometown and state.
After visiting colleges across the Midwest, she initially enrolled at Indiana University South Bend, pursuing a degree in criminal justice.
“I had never even applied to UWSP,” said Gundersen. “I grew up here and knew I wanted the college dorm experience in another state.”
What began as an exciting out-of-state adventure quickly became a learning experience.
“It turns out it was a commuter school, so everyone would go home on the weekends,” said Gundersen. “I had made friends, but they would still go home on the weekends.”
In addition to a different series of challenges during her time there, Gundersen began to rethink her path. Through that reflection, it brought her back home to Stevens Point.
“When I came home, I really didn’t know what I was going to do,” she said. “I remembered that UWSP had received a large gift from Sentry, so I knew that the business program was going to be good and they are putting a lot of effort into it.”
Since enrolling in UW-Stevens Point and the Sentry School of Business and Economics, Gundersen has found both purpose and community. “I’ve been loving all my professors,” she said. “I did not think I was going to do business when I was in high school. I didn’t even want to go to college at the time and did not plan on going.”
Now pursuing a business administration degree, she has taken full advantage of the opportunities available. Working part-time at Gamber-Johnson, a global manufacturing company based in Stevens Point, she completed a summer internship that introduced her to the world of professional sales and marketing.
“I started out doing customer service to help out and get my mind around how sales orders work, what people are purchasing and where they are purchasing it from,” said Gundersen. “Then for majority of my time, I did a competitive research project.”
Her work had a tangible impact on the company. “After some research, I brought up that most of our competitors have events pages on their website, but Gamber-Johnson did not have one of their own. So, I said we have to add this event page, and they ended up building one.” Gundersen said the proof and result of her work and research coming to life within the company was rewarding.
She credits her mentors at UW-Stevens Point, such as Lecturer Kit Kiefer, for connecting her to various opportunities. He encouraged her at the time to explore Gamber-Johnson for the internship.
“Gracie has made herself into an excellent student through hard work and determination,” said Kiefer. “She has always had a great attitude and a wonderful demeanor, but she’s really taken it to another level through her time at UWSP. She credits mentors for some of her success, but you can have all the mentors in the world, and it can mean nothing if you don’t take the initiative. Gracie’s taken the initiative and run with it.”
Through the experience, Gundersen gained confidence, skills and a clearer sense of her professional goals. “Communication is definitely big,” said Gundersen. “Even when you have a bunch of people in the same group, there’s still stuff that people don’t know about.”
She also learned the value of adaptability. “Don’t be nervous when your advisor goes, ‘Let’s go and talk,’ or ‘Are you ready to give your presentation,’ with little to no notice,” said Gundersen. “It’s nice at Gamber-Johnson because they do not have the mindset of everything has to be perfect. You can make mistakes. Things can be wrong sometimes. As long as you express and communicate that, you are fine.”
For Gundersen, staying local has offered more than just convenience. It’s allowed her to focus on her studies and work and save money all while staying close to her support network.
“I’m still living at home. I’m saving money,” she said. “I like having my mom’s cooking and being five minutes from campus and able to walk sometimes.”
Gundersen’s father John, a UWSP accounting alum who currently works at Sentry Insurance, also lived at home during his time as a student.
Balancing classes, work and extracurriculars, Gundersen found ways to stay involved through the Sentry School Smiley Professional Events program and intramural volleyball. She says that she goes to Pro Events, even if they are not required, as they are a good way to connect with her friends and peers.
Gundersen is slated to graduate in just three years this December. “Over the summers, I took three classes, and then my winter term, I took another class,” she said. “After those summers, I realize I actually have a lot of credits and could actually graduate early.” The benefit of living at home has allowed her to take those additional course when students usually go home for the summer and winter months.
Looking ahead, she hopes to continue with Gamber-Johnson, pursuing a career in sales or product marketing with a goal of eventually leading her own company.
Her journey from wanting to move away to finding her second home at UW-Stevens Point has shaped how she views growth and opportunity.
“Something that I always live by is ‘Get uncomfortable to get comfortable.’ If you’re not feeling uncomfortable, then you’re not growing.”