For many students attending Bemidji State University, the northern lake shores and adventurous landscapes take on a special meaning. For Toby Glen ’22, it is home. Having growing up in Bemidji, the senior project management student knew he wanted to continue growing his roots at Minnesota’s premier north woods university.
“I loved the idea of going to school in the town I’ve grown up in,” Glen said. “I knew that BSU would be a great fit.”
With an affinity for the outdoors and a strong connection within the Bemidji community, Bemidji State was his first choice for college.
“I enjoy the outdoor atmosphere that Bemidji State has come to embrace,” he said. “Being on the lake and just minutes from a wide variety of other outdoor activities has been a favorite throughout my time at BSU.”
As Glen was completing his senior year of high school, he planned to pursue a degree in environmental studies because of BSU’s unique campus and environmental stewardship. However, after exploring the university’s many programs, Glen became interested in project management. Along with the promising career opportunities within the field, the program had also aligned with Glen’s work style.
“I considered how much I really enjoyed collaborative work,” he said. “I haven’t looked back since; this degree is the perfect for me and my future goals.”
Bemidji State’s project management program, housed within the School of Technology, Art and Design, provide hands-on learning that not only prepares students for future careers, but gets them involved with their campus community, Glen said.
“The extensive labs offered to students in the TAD programs open so many doors for students like me,” he said. “Learning about the processes we will be a part of in the future not only makes us competent employees but also meaningful managers.”
In 2020, Glen started his career by securing a position at Bemidji Steel, a metal company with a wide range of services and materials that are sourced globally. After starting as the company’s Fiber Laser Operator, Glen has worked his way up to his current position as Value-Added Manager where he does employee and job scheduling along with all 3D design and modeling for the company.
“What I have come to love about my job is that every day is something different,” he said. “Somedays its working with people in agriculture then the next aerospace, and the next precision manufacturing.”
Glen said the management styles and techniques he’s learning at Bemidji State paired with his on-the-job experience has contributed to his success in his position and within the industry. In the Summer 2021, he was invited to travel with Bemidji Steel to Europe where they began buying materials for company’s new facility south of Bemidji. It was eye-opening, Glen said.
“You don’t have to go to an inner city to get a good paying job,”he said. “Jobs at companies such as Bemidji Steel are scattered all amongst upper Minnesota. Even if they do not have the same feel as a job in the cities, they still hold a lot of promise.”
With graduation just around the corner, Glen is preparing to continue his growing career with Bemidji Steel. He is excited to not only see where his position at the growing company takes him, but to stay close to his roots.
“I look forward to being a part of a growing, prosperous company while still being able to enjoy all that the Bemidji area has to offer.”
Links
2022-B-064