This grad credits BizSquad for hands-on practice in career-building skills.​

Mary Blavat’s exemplary classwork earned her a spot on a recent BizSquad student team. “I was honored to be accepted into the program,” she states. “BizSquad gives students a chance to solve real business problems for area companies while learning how to work in a team.”

Blavat is a 29-year-old Michigan native who now lives in Little Chute with her Fox Valley Tech-graduate husband and two young children. During BizSquad she worked on two different projects. “The first was building a website for a professional barn dismantling and demolition company,” she recalls.

The second project was for B.A.B.E.S., Inc., a non-profit child abuse prevention and respite organization. “We developed two fundraising packets and learned how to deal with change,” Blavat says. “The experience served as a great relationship-building opportunity.”

Blavat primarily wrote and edited brochures while doing database work as well. “Regardless of what project we worked on, using effective communication skills was always important,” she says. “Understanding a client’s expectations is what it’s all about.”

Getting a chance to work one-on-one with employers and learning how to adapt to the unexpected represent two big takeaways for Blavat from the BizSquad experience. “It’s rewarding work and a nice alternative to an internship,” she adds.

Blavat graduated from FVTC in August with an associate degree in Human Resources and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree.