Niko Vuckovich, a recent graduate from Chapman University, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a Minor in Leadership in May 2024. Throughout his college years, Niko navigated the complexities of the pandemic and leveraged his experiences to propel him into his current role as a Sales Engineer at Keyence. Niko’s time at Chapman helped him build a strong foundation for his career and the valuable lessons he learned along the way.

Overcoming the Pandemic Challenge: A Unique Start at Chapman

Niko’s Chapman experience began during the 2020 class, a time when students were forced to transition to remote learning due to the pandemic. Despite the challenges, he saw opportunities to connect with others. “As a part of the incoming 2020 class, we were forced to deal with the pandemic, meaning classes were all online. However, Chapman Housing gave us the opportunity to move into off-campus apartments, which I gladly took advantage of,” he recalls.

His ability to adapt led to personal growth. “I was able to join a fraternity through Zoom and move in with one of the people in my pledge class. After the pandemic ended, I was able to return to on-campus life and already had a built-in friend group as a result of Greek Life,” he adds.

A Diverse Career Path: From Internships to Full-Time Work

While many students pursue internships to gain experience, Niko took a different route. Instead of internships, he worked in fully paid positions during the summers to fund his semester activities. “I believe that people get so caught up in internships that they fail to see that hard work can beat experience,” Niko states.

His role in the ACBE Graduate Program was key to his professional development. “This role allowed me to understand and sharpen my professional skills with five full-time faculty,” Niko explains, showcasing how his on-campus involvement contributed to his career trajectory.

Key Chapman Lessons: Sales, Leadership, and Personal Development

Niko’s time at Chapman wasn’t just about academics. The courses and projects he engaged in played a pivotal role in shaping his career. One such project was his leadership assignment in Professor Joe Pazmany’s LEAD-310 class. “We were assigned to identify strengths and weaknesses within ourselves, getting a full 360 review from other people in our lives. To be successful in any field, it’s imperative that you know what you do well and what you need to work on,” he shares.

Another influential project was his sports franchise breakdown in Professor Matt Wiech’s senior elective class. “The invaluable lesson of diversifying your outreach is something I do every day in my current role,” Niko notes, highlighting the lessons he learned from connecting with professionals in the field.

Networking and Campus Involvement: The Key to Career Success

Niko’s involvement in the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and his connection with fellow Chapman alum Alex Mummert directly influenced his career path. “Through extensive conversations with him and an understanding of the role, I was able to secure my current job at Keyence,” Niko explains.

Moreover, Niko stresses the importance of face-to-face interactions, particularly during the Chapman Career Fair. “I showed up dressed nicely, with personalized cover letters for the companies I was interested in, and printed out resumes. In the age of applying online, getting face-to-face is the key to success,” he advises. This proactive approach led to the opportunity that launched his post-graduate career.

Advice for Future Graduates: Embrace Rejection and Keep Pushing Forward

Reflecting on his journey, Niko shares his advice for students pursuing a similar path: “Put yourself out there. Every rejection from a company or failed interview is one step closer to landing the first job in your career.” He believes that resilience and the ability to face rejection head-on are essential in sales and in any career.

Looking back, Niko holds no regrets. “The reality is we all have regrets, but they lead us to become who we are today. So no, I don’t regret a single thing from my time at Chapman,” he says.

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