Victoria Posey, a business major at Alma College, has found a home in Business Professionals of America (BPA), where she’s been able to apply classroom learning to real-world experiences and grow as both a student and a professional. We caught up with Victoria to learn more about her journey.
Q: What drew you to Business Professionals of America?
Victoria Posey: I joined BPA because I participated in it all four years of high school and really enjoyed it. When I came to Alma College and saw how successful the program was here, I wanted to continue growing within myself and within the organization. BPA at Alma College is really good at helping students do that.
Q: How has BPA helped you in your studies as a business major?
Posey: BPA has definitely helped me grow within my major. It’s given me skills I wouldn’t have learned outside the classroom. More importantly, it’s helped me apply what I’m learning in class to real-world situations. I think that’s really valuable—not just for business majors, but for students from all different fields.
Q: What kinds of experiences does BPA offer students?
Posey: BPA is a multifaceted organization with a variety of events. There are computer science competitions, presentation-based events, and opportunities in economics, healthcare, administration — basically anything in the business world. Personally, I enjoy the law-related events, but I’ve also explored healthcare administration and HR. BPA really lets you craft the experience to match your interests and goals.
Q: Is BPA only for business majors?
Posey: Definitely not. BPA includes students from all kinds of majors. We have people from neuroscience, political science, and I even brought my perspective as a Spanish minor. It’s a great way for students from across the college community to come together.
Q: What’s the conference experience like?
Posey: BPA has two main conferences each year: the State Conference in February in Grand Rapids and the National Conference in May, where we get to travel across the United States. I’ve been to Chicago and Orlando, and this year we’re headed to Nashville. Many conferences are run by alumni, which is inspiring because you see how BPA has impacted their careers and lives. Some alumni come back year after year — it’s a testament to the value of this organization.
Q: What advice would you give to students considering BPA?
Posey: I would 100-percent advise both current and prospective students to join. BPA isn’t just for business majors. Whether you want to improve public speaking, build presentation skills, or explore new topics, BPA is a fantastic way to learn, get out of your comfort zone, and connect with the Alma College community.
On a campus that feels like home, you’ll have the space to explore, the support to push your limits, and the chance to not just learn, but to experience — hands-on, all in. Learn more about experiential learning at Alma College.
