Reid McGowan and Catherine Linden
For our graduates, the transition from classroom to career isn’t just about landing a job – it’s about finding their place to make meaningful impact in their industry. We caught up with recent graduates, Catherine Linden ‘25 and Reid McGowan ‘25, to learn how the School of Business helped shape their journey from student to professional.
Building Success Through Faculty Mentorship
Linden’s success in landing a job at Boeing did not happen overnight. Instead, she credits smaller class sizes, mentorships with faculty, and in-class simulations.
“Being part of the School of Business gave me access to so many great opportunities — from career resources to networking events — and that really shaped my college experience in a positive way,” she says. “I was drawn to supply chain and information management because I’ve always been interested in problem-solving and understanding how complex systems operate. The major felt like the perfect mix of strategy, efficiency, and analytical thinking.”
Linden studied Supply Chain and Information Management at the College, taking MGMT 301, Management and Organizational Behavior, with Garth Cook, Ed.D.
“[He] connected me with incredible professionals at Boeing and consistently offered guidance, encouragement, and belief in my potential. His support made a lasting impact and was instrumental in helping me land my position at Boeing. Having a professor who not only taught me in the classroom but also took the time to mentor me personally gave me the confidence to take that next step into the professional world.”
Finding Direction through Campus Involvement
While Linden found her path through faculty mentorship, McGowan discovered his direction through campus involvement. For McGowan, discovering the Finance and Economic Clubs on campus was pivotal. Urged by his professors to become an active member of campus, McGowan discovered his passion for international business through the College’s study abroad program.
“Experiences like this played a key role in helping me grow personally and professionally. They also allowed me to develop the skills and mindset needed to make the most of the internship opportunity I was given and succeed.”
Leveraging these connections and skills allowed McGowan to join Tradd Advisory Company (TAC) as the first full-time member to be hired straight out of college. TAC is a growing and dynamic logistics company.
“I’m excited to grow personally and in my career with this team, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the future.”
Both Linden and McGowan’s journeys highlight how the College of Charleston School of Business creates multiple pathways to success—whether through faculty mentorship, campus involvement or experiential learning. For current students, their advice is clear: take advantage of every resource, build meaningful connections and remain open to where those experiences might lead.
