Balancing Business With Being Part of the Team

After Abigail Beecher ’19 attended a Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship (FME) session as a prospective transfer student, her mind was made up.

A Rochester, New York, native and then-University of Buffalo student, Beecher had been searching for a school where she could put a greater emphasis on education, and eventually, a career in business.

“My biggest takeaway was how unique Babson was,” she said. “That was what really excited me, this entrepreneurial push in all areas of the college.”

Now, three years later, Beecher will graduate with an entrepreneurship degree in the coming weeks before starting as a financial business advisory consultant at Ernst & Young in New York City. During her time as an undergrad, she also helped lead the volleyball team to dozens of wins and two NCAA tournaments.

Always Been Entrepreneurial

Beecher was originally recruited to play collegiate volleyball at Babson while in high school, but opted instead to attend the University of Buffalo to play at the Division I level.

But, Babson remained at the back of her mind, and she began to consider transferring as a freshman.

“I’ve always kind of been entrepreneurial in small ways. My first thought when it comes to something is: ‘Why don’t I just go out and do it myself,’ ” she said. “It (Babson) seemed the most unique by far of all the schools I was looking at.”

Attending that FME session helped confirm where she wanted to be.

“My bigger focus was on school first,” Beecher said. “Just coming to Babson, I got so excited about the opportunities that I’d have here.”

Leading a Team to New Heights

While she was in the transfer process, she reached out to coaches at Babson about continuing to play collegiate volleyball. Beecher said playing volleyball for a Division III team helped her to focus more on her future business career and spending time with friends and family.

“That’s what allowed me to fall in love with the sport again,” she said.

Beecher said each part of her day happens with teammates, from meals to classes to practice, which she said contributes to a winning culture.

“You have to be close off the court to find any success on the court,” she said. “We lean on each other for everything.

And, winning is nothing new to the team. In 2017, Babson made a run through the NCAA Tournament’s Round of 16. Last year, it won 26 matches en route to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite 8.

“Other than winning a national championship, I couldn’t think of a better way to have ended my last season,” Beecher said. “Being there with my teammates and best friends, it was awesome.”

How Being a Student-Athlete Prepared Her for the Future

“I have known Abby her entire time at Babson and I have had the privilege of a front-row seat literally, and figuratively, to one of the great success stories in a highly accomplished centennial class,” said Ian Lapp, dean of the Undergraduate School. “Through a tireless work ethic and immense talent, she has taken the same winning approach in the classroom, on the volleyball court, and in the corporate setting.”

Beecher said the key to balancing a future business and collegiate athletic career is not to overlook either objective.

“What helped me throughout the way was just always reminding myself to balance both equally,” Beecher said, adding that juggling academics and athletics has prepared her for her full-time job. “You get such a good sense of time management.”

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership

Tagged Athletics, Campus, Career, Entrepreneurship of All Kinds, Student Life, Undergraduate

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