Career and Post-Graduate Development

Photo of Jill Alspach
Photo of Jill Alspach

Jill Alspach

Major(s)

Business and Economics

Minor(s)

Media and Communication Studies

Current Position

Director, Project Management Operational Excellence

Employer

Thomson Reuters

Graduate School & Degree

I attended Widener University where I earned my MBA with a concentration in Business Process Management (Received Most Outstanding MBA Student Award 2014)

About

In my position, I identify areas of opportunity for efficiency within the company related to process, timeliness, quality, and cost effectiveness.

How did you get your start in the field?  

I was in the middle of my Business Process Management (BPM) concentration of my MBA and struck up a conversation with the VP of Operations at a work event. I learned how to give a “30 second elevator speech” while studying business at Ursinus so that’s exactly what I did. Turns out, my boss was looking for someone with a BPM background for an open position on his team and I ended up getting the job. 

Impact of Ursinus

Ursinus taught me the importance of developing trusting relationships that I can utilize for advice or guidance later on. The small class sizes made it very easy to truly get to know the professors and fellow students and keep in touch years after graduation. 

Piece of Advice

When you go to interview for a job, keep in mind that the person interviewing you is hoping that you are the perfect candidate and are rooting for you to succeed. The process of filling a position is extremely expensive and time consuming so they are hoping you are the last person they need to interview. 

Paying It Forward

I currently sit on the Business Advisory Board for Enactus at Ursinus College, the Business Advisory Council for the School of Business Administration at Widener University, and am on the Leadership Board for the women’s group where I work (Thomson Reuters).  I would be happy to speak to anyone who is interested in business process management, looking to obtain their MBA, or any women in business who have questions on how to succeed and take charge of their careers.  I have spoken to groups in the past (and in particular women who have interests in science and technology) about starting or making a change in their careers and being assertive to move up the ladder.