Ola has found ways to expand on her coursework in Economics through her experience working with the Finance Office.
In what ways has your campus job contributed to your personal, academic, or professional growth and aspirations?
My role as a Purchasing Intern has provided me with valuable insights into the daily operations of a major institution, offering practical experience that goes beyond what I learn in my classes. Under the mentorship of the Procurement Director, Olga Bookas, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from her expertise and guidance. I’ve come to understand the importance of nurturing long-term business partnerships through diligent communication via email, zoom, and in-person meetings. Moreover, I’ve honed both soft and technical skills crucial for professional success. For example, I’ve been tasked with conducting competitive analyses of suppliers’ proposals in Excel, writing monthly newsletters, reviewing Requests for Proposals/Quotations, and developing negotiation strategies. I’m grateful for the numerous growth opportunities I’ve had and the people who have made this experience so fulfilling and rewarding. Moving forward, I aim to leverage the skills and knowledge I’ve acquired to succeed in my future career endeavors.
How has your campus job helped you build connections or networks within the university or broader community?
Working at the Purchasing Office has allowed me to establish meaningful connections within the Wesleyan community, particularly with various departments and offices. Over the past two years, I worked on projects with ITS, Facilities, Communications, Sustainability, ResLife, Labs, and more. Through these collaborations, I have not only gained insights into different areas of the university’s operations but have also developed a network of colleagues whom I can rely on for guidance. I learned that collaborative efforts yield mutual benefits and contribute to long-term professional success. For example, by assisting the ITS team with numerous negotiations, we were able to secure the best possible solutions for Wesleyan’s technological needs. On the other hand, the VP of ITS helped co-create and present a software negotiations seminar during a Connecticut Colleges Purchasing Group meeting that we recently hosted at Wesleyan.
Give your campus job supervisor(s) a shout out – what did you love about their mentorship?
During my time working at the Finance Office, I’ve had the honor of learning under the guidance of Olga Bookas, the Director of Purchasing & Procurement. Olga’s mentorship has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth, as she emphasized the importance of collaboration, attention to detail, and effective communication in the workplace. Not only has she shared her extensive professional insights, but she has also been open about sharing personal experiences, fostering a deeper connection. I am grateful for the mutual trust that we developed and for the numerous opportunities that Olga provided me. By involving me in meetings with suppliers, she offered a firsthand learning experience where I could ask questions and contribute my insights, all of which she always valued. I am deeply grateful for Olga’s mentorship and I look forward to staying in touch following my graduation.
Ola won the 2024 Exceptional Student Employee of the Year Award, and was nominated by her supervisor Olga Bookas, the Director for Purchasing & Procurement at the Finance Office. Read the nomination below:
Ms. Aleksandra Szopa (Ola) has been working in the Purchasing Office for 2 years and has been an exceptional employee during her tenure. I feel strongly that she is deserving of this award for the following reasons:
Ola participates in internal meetings with diverse departments to discuss and present negotiation strategies. Connects with various departments, including ITS, Facilities, Communications, ResLife, Finance, Office of Advancement, Library, Labs, Investments, and Admissions, to obtain current and expired contracts that need to be re-negotiated.
Collaborates with suppliers and service providers to implement employee discounts for the Wesleyan community. Facilitates negotiations for various IT software solutions, including Workday, StarRez, Graduway, Apsona, Workforce, Snaplogic, Morningstar, Caissa/Burgiss, Unimarket, Salesforce, and ongoing negotiations with Stellic. Engages in collaborative efforts initiated by the Director of Sustainability, alongside two sustainability interns, to address and resolve shortcomings in green procurement practices.
Played a key role in organizing the Connecticut Colleges’ Purchasing Group meeting hosted at Wesleyan, which approximately 30 colleges attended including their IT departments. Collaborated with myself and Dave Baird, the CIO, to develop slides for the IT software negotiations presentation. Ola plays a key role in all projects undertaken under my direction. She actively engages with various university departments to understand their needs and align procurement strategies accordingly. Additionally, she assists in sending out RFPs to potential suppliers and conducts competitive analyses of their proposals in Excel to develop negotiation strategies.
Ola’s dedication to enhancing the university’s performance and achieving cost savings has resulted in substantial savings amounting to $9.7 million over two years. Additionally, Ola maintains diligent communication with suppliers via email, Zoom, and in-person meetings, fostering meaningful business partnerships and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. I highly recommend Ola, as she is most deserving of this award!
Updated May 16, 2024
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