About 85 Sorrell College of Business students got the opportunity to learn more about the banking industry and network with banking executives on Wednesday during the College’s “BBQ with Bankers” event.

Presented by the Sorrell 360 Center for Professional Life and the Alabama Bankers Association, the event featured a panel of community banking executives, who shared with students the various job opportunities available in the banking areas and answered students’ questions spanning topics such as wealth management and financial planning, in and the most important qualities they look for in employees.

“We love providing this event for students because, whether they are interested in a career in banking or finance or not, there is always an incredible amount of valuable professional development advice for anyone in any field,” said Dr. Laura Dove, Assistant Dean. “For finance and economics students, this provides a tremendous networking opportunity as well. Students don’t just come in and listen to a presentation. They also can sit down, eat lunch and practice networking with professionals but in a more casual setting. We believe that the one-on-one opportunity is the most important part.”

Bankers represented at the event were: Corey Thomaston, Bank Independent; Eric Lee, Brantley Bank & Trust Co.; John Mark Bentley, Bryant Bank; Barry Harp, CB&S Bank; Trey Brownlee, Fred Leopold, and Sarah Rackley, Community Bank of Mississippi; Kacey McCluskey, First Bank of Alabama; Samantha Bagwell, Andrea Frost and Joe Warrick, First Citizens Bank; Branden Axtell, Southern States Bank; and, Quinton Blocker and Mark Jordan, Troy Bank and Trust Co.  

Colton Kasarjian, Operations Coordinator for the Alabama Bankers Association, said events such as BBQ with Bankers help illuminate the opportunities that exists through careers in the banking industry.

“I think the biggest thing that we want students to know is that banking is an incredible industry. We just want to share our love of banking and show everyone how great of a field it is,” he said. “I think the students were very interested and asked some great questions. I think this event opened their minds to considering banking as a career field.”