Today@Sam Article
COBA Senior Lands Five Job Offers Before Graduation
March 24, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd
By Tory Josey
For many students, the transition from college to the workforce can be daunting. However, for Mallory Struggs, a senior business management major at Sam Houston State University’s College of Business Administration (SHSU-COBA), preparation and persistence have paid off. With graduation just months away, Struggs has already secured five job offers from reputable companies, including DHL Supply Chain, Sherwin-Williams, Fastenal, Moore Supply Company and Amerisource Business Capital.
Struggs’ journey to multiple job offers was no accident. He attributes much of his success to early engagement with career development opportunities such as the COBA Business Career Fair.
“I first attended the career fair in 2022 after transferring to Sam Houston State, and I made sure to show my face each year,” he said. “Building those connections early helped companies remember me when it was time to apply.”
In addition to networking, Struggs leaned on his family for support. With his father serving as a department chair at Springfield College and his mother having attained her master’s degree, Struggs had an insider perspective on the inner workings of academia and career development. Together, they refined his resume and drilled him on interview preparation.
Struggs also took advantage of resources from the Center for Building Business Professionals (CBBP), a part of COBA, and the university’s Career Success Center.
“These resources helped me understand what companies are looking for and how to align my skills with their needs,” Struggs said.
His proactive approach and experience as a branch operations intern at Republic Finance set him apart from other candidates.
“My internship at Republic Finance gave me hands-on experience in branch operations, customer service and financial services,” he said. “I learned how to manage day-to-day operations, communicate effectively with customers and analyze financial data to make strategic business decisions. Those skills translated directly into the roles I was applying for.”
Originally from Montgomery, Alabama, Struggs transferred to Sam Houston State after realizing his passion for business management.
“I started as an engineering major at Spring Hill College while playing sports, but I knew that wasn’t the right path for me. Once I saw everything Houston and Texas had to offer, I knew this was where I needed to be,” he said.
Outside of academics, Struggs is an active member of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), an organization that has expanded his understanding of business opportunities beyond his major.
Struggs’ success is proof that with the right preparation, networking and use of available resources, students can land multiple job offers before they even graduate.
“The career fair is a great way to meet recruiters, get your name out there and explore different industries,” he said. “I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking to jumpstart their career.”
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