The best part of it all? These 26 students completed their studies on the Reading, Pennsylvania, corporate headquarters of Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics. Tomorrow they will be the first onsite class (also known as a cohort, because they went through the program on the same track) to earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from nearby Alvernia University.
<p>These graduates possess a wide array of job titles at various levels, ranging from specialist and analyst to director and vice president.</p><p><strong>MBA Experiences Help Define a Career </strong></p><p>Sarian King works for Penske Logistics as a lead load planner, where she arranges a complex network of shipments of customer products. The program “was an excellent way to devote myself to acquiring new skills,” she stated. “I would like to grow in the logistics industry.”</p><p>King, who was born in West Africa and moved to the U.S. following high school graduation, enjoyed a class project where the group was asked to develop a business plan for an airline. “We came up with three strategies towards improvement: code-sharing of planes with other airlines; acquisition of another low-cost carrier; and technology improvements,” she said.</p><p>A mother to an 8-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son, she found the program to be quite convenient and would have likely delayed grad school until her children were older, had the program not been on the company’s corporate campus.</p><p>Brittany Dean became Brittany Balmer since taking her first class in October 2013 (she was engaged in February 2014 and tied the knot in November of that year).</p><p>Balmer, a corporate billing supervisor, was fascinated with a marketing class that allowed her team to develop a new service and market it accordingly. She is also a more confident public speaker after partaking in countless presentations. Last December Balmer was promoted to her current supervisor role.</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="bbec6a7b9c33d350d719991b9bac9b88" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="b8844" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyNzk2OC9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYyOTg1NDkwNn0._XUAw9FIwOsS4yI_uOmOVf2VHBvl1Yo_Qiz61IR2Kpo/img.jpg?width=980"/></p><p>Matt Itell is manager of Penske’s used trucks call center. He has designs on an executive role with the company down the line and “wanted to gain additional knowledge.” He explained: “This was a good way to immerse myself in a program and learn about different aspects of the business.”</p><p>Most notably, Itell has increased his accounting acumen considerably. Following numerous case studies on existing businesses, and writing and presenting about their best practices (and failures), he now processes the business world through different lenses, with a heightened awareness of what defines success.</p><p>After two-plus decades away from the classroom, and with two children in college, Deb Arnold knew the time was right to continue her education. A director of financial accounting, the MBA program allowed her to work towards mandatory educational requirements for a certified public accountant designation (she will be taking the CPA test in the near future). “I need to be a CPA to continue career-wise,” Arnold explained.</p><p>“There were definitely some interesting classes and a lot of it was a refresher,” she noted. An investment management course was impactful to Arnold. “Learning more about stocks, bonds and the stock market – I really liked that. I gained a better understanding of how fiscal policy affects the markets.”</p><p><strong>Success of the Onsite Program</strong></p><p>“I am thrilled for this group of graduates and I am pleased they took part in our continuing education opportunities,” stated Jennifer Sockel, the senior vice president of human resources, who furthered her education with a law degree. “This is one of many career development opportunities available to our associates companywide.”</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="94692d447ce86a4ab58f116f02c31e32" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="f0bdc" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyNzk2OS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTYxNjkyNTE0MX0.l1piQcxp9WZSxYlmVDOcwX5HYyALeFxFsAmESS2J1Oc/img.jpg?width=980"/>Daria LaTorre, dean of Alvernia’s school of graduate and adult education, stated the program has been enriching for both the institution and corporation. “We’re thrilled to also help Penske leadership enhance their employee benefit offerings.”</p><p>According to Mandy Sensenig, Penske manager of talent development and performance management, there are nearly 50 other local Penske associates pursuing several levels of degree programs (with differing timetables) on the Alvernia campus.</p><p><strong>Graduation Time</strong></p><p>It is quite an accomplishment to earn a graduate degree while working full-time for a global transportation company like Penske. Some of these master’s degree holders also raised families during the time they spent together as a cohort.</p><p>“I will feel great when the program is done,” King summarized a few weeks ago. “But I will miss my classmates.”</p><p>There are no more classes to attend or TED videos to watch. It is now time for them to celebrate a major milestone on Saturday afternoon at Santander Arena.</p><p><em>By Alen Beljin</em></p></div>
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Interns Gaining Real-World Experience at Penske
June 02, 2015
This summer, Penske is helping 34 college students jump-start their careers through Penske’s Summer Internship Program at its corporate headquarters in Green Hills, Pennsylvania.
<p>Penske’s internship program provides college students with a valuable opportunity to gain real-world, hands-on experience in their field of study, as well as exposure to the ins and outs of a leading global transportation services provider.</p><p>“Our interns start contributing and providing value to Penske on day one,” said Karyn Troxell, corporate HR manager. “Many of them are working on projects that directly align to their assigned department’s key goals for the year. The interns can clearly see the connection between what they are learning in school and how it applies in a business environment.”</p><p>Revamped in 2012, the program also gives these young adults a well-rounded experience through participation in community service projects, networking with professionals and professional development opportunities – features which Troxell says are unique to Penske’s program.</p><p>“Networking is an extremely valuable skill that we provide to our interns,” Troxell explained. “Throughout the summer, they have opportunities to build professional relationships with key leaders at Penske, within the community and within their own internship team. Many of them maintain these relationships even after they complete their internships. Some of these professional relationships have led to future job offers.”</p><p>Like the students, Penske is benefiting from its popular internship program, which has become a valuable recruiting tool. Penske has filled 17 permanent positions with interns (38 percent of its 68 interns since 2012). Six of these hired interns received promotions within two years.</p><p>Other advantages to the company include development opportunities for future supervisors to manage interns, extra department resources and increased brand recognition through partnerships with colleges and universities.</p><p>“Departments really benefit from the high caliber of talent that we bring in each summer through our internship program,” Troxell said. “Managers are not only appreciative of the interns’ extra support, but they also gain a glimpse into the mindset of the new generation’s workforce.”</p><p>The 2015 interns will work in the following departments at Penske:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Asset Management</li> <li>Billing</li> <li>Billing and Freight Payment – Logistics</li> <li>Central Reservations</li> <li>Contract Administration</li> <li>Financial Accounting</li> <li>Financial Operations</li> <li>Financial Reporting</li> <li>HR Analytics</li> <li>HR Operations / Staffing /Diversity & Inclusion</li> <li>HR Training</li> <li>HR Logistics</li> <li>Insurance Risk Management</li> <li>Information Technology</li> <li>ITDS Operations</li> <li>Legal</li> <li>Maintenance</li> <li>Maintenance - Finance/Analytics</li> <li>Maintenance Technical Training</li> <li>Operational Excellence</li> <li>Real Estate</li> <li>Rental</li> <li>Sales</li> <li>Sales & Operations Management</li> <li>Sales Training</li> <li>Sourcing</li> <li>TMSS</li> <li>Vehicle Planning</li> <li>Vehicle Remarketing</li> <li>Vehicle Supply</li></ul><p>The interns are currently enrolled in these schools:</p><p><strong>Pennsylvania:</strong> <a href="http://www.alvernia.edu/">Alvernia University</a>, <a href="http://www.iup.edu/">Indiana University of Pennsylvania</a>, <a href="http://www.juniata.edu/">Juniata College</a>, <a href="http://www2.kutztown.edu/">Kutztown University</a>, <a href="http://www.lasalle.edu/">La Salle University</a>, <a href="http://www1.lehigh.edu/">Lehigh University</a>, <a href="http://www.psu.edu/">Pennsylvania State University</a> - Berks, Harrisburg and University Park campuses, <a href="http://landing.onlineprograms.sacredheart.edu/overview?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=Sacred%20Heart%20University&utm_campaign=Search%20Sacred%20Heart%20Brand&utm_content=Brand%20SHU%20EXT&uadgroup=Brand%20SHU%20EXT&uAdCampgn=Search%20Sacred%20Heart%20Brand">Sacred Heart University</a>, <a href="http://www.ship.edu/">Shippensburg University</a>, <a href="http://www.temple.edu/">Temple University</a>, <a href="http://www.pitt.edu/">University of Pittsburgh</a>, <a href="http://www.wcupa.edu/">West Chester University</a> and <a href="http://www.ycp.edu/">York College of Pennsylvania</a></p><p><strong>Maryland:</strong> <a href="http://www.towson.edu/">Towson University</a>, <a href="http://msmary.edu/">Mount St. Mary's University</a></p><p><strong>New Jersey:</strong> <a href="http://www.rowan.edu/home/">Rowan University</a></p><p><strong>New York:</strong> <a href="http://www.rit.edu/">Rochester Institute of Technology</a></p><p><strong>North Carolina:</strong> <a href="http://www.highpoint.edu/">High Point University</a></p><p><strong>Virginia:</strong> <a href="https://www.vt.edu/">Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)</a></p><p>To qualify for Penske’s internship program, students must meet the following requirements:</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li>Full-time college student pursuing a bachelor’s degree (some internships require specific areas of study)</li> <li>GPA of 3.0 or higher</li> <li>Entering junior or senior year</li> <li>Completion of some core curriculum classes is preferred</li></ul><p>Interested in an internship in 2016? Visit <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/careers/">GoPenske.com/careers</a> to apply for the internship of your choice. Applications will be accepted beginning February 2016.</p><p><em>By Kandace Wertz</em></p></div>
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High Point University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
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Juniata College
Kutztown University
La Salle University
Lehigh University
Mount St. Mary's University
Pennsylvania State University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rowan University
Sacred Heart University
Shippensburg University
Summer Internship Program
Temple University
Towson University
University of Pittsburgh
Virginia Tech
West Chester University
York College of Pennsylvania
Penske Recruiting at Various Colleges in March
February 27, 2015
Penske is seeking qualified candidates for a variety of positions at college career fairs nationwide throughout March.
<p>Penske’s human resources staff will be available at the following schools to discuss with students and alumni the <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/">Penske Logistics</a>’ Supply Chain Leadership Program, and rental representative and management trainee positions.</p><ul class="ee-ul"> <li> March 4: Career Fair at <a href="http://www.memphis.edu/">University of Memphis</a>, Memphis, Tennessee</li> <li>March 5: Diversity and Career Fair at <a href="http://www.olemiss.edu/">University of Mississippi</a>, Oxford, Mississippi</li> <li>March 12: Career and Internship Fair at <a href="http://www.unr.edu/">University of Nevada’s Reno Campus</a>, Reno, Nevada</li> <li>March 18: Career and Internship Fair at <a href="http://www.sau.edu/"> Ambrose University</a>, Davenport, Iowa</li> <li>March 18: Career Fair at <a href="http://www.gtcc.edu/">Guilford Technical Community College</a>, Jamestown, North Carolina</li> <li>March 18: Career and Internship Fair at <a href="http://www.alvernia.edu/">Alvernia University</a>, Reading, Pennsylvania</li> <li>March 18: Career Fair at <a href="http://www.bk.psu.edu/">Penn State Berks</a>, Reading, Pennsylvania</li> <li>March 19: Career Fair at <a href="http://www.iastate.edu/">Iowa State University</a>, Ames, Iowa</li> <li>March 26: Career and Internship Fair at <a href="http://www.millersville.edu/">Millersville University</a>, Millersville, Pennsylvania</li></ul><p>Please contact your school directly for specific times and locations.</p><p>For more information about Penske’s open positions, visit the <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/careers/">Penske careers</a> page. Penske offers competitive wages and a wide range of <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/careers/employment_benefits.html">benefits</a>. Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer.</p><p><em>By "Move Ahead" staff</em></p></div>
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Management Trainee
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University of Memphis
University of Mississippi
University of Nevada's Reno Campus
Penske Management Trainee Overcomes Adversity to Find Success
December 22, 2014
Newly hired Penske associate Junior Bernard had a more difficult childhood than most others. Growing up in Haiti, he lived without running water or electricity, and faced the threat of starvation daily. When a devastating earthquake hit his nation in 2010, hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives. Bernard knew he needed a new start.
<p>In the aftermath, Bernard sat down and wrote a letter to his friends describing all his hardships and how he was determined to overcome them. The letter was shared among his friends through social media and eventually found its way into the hands of staff at <a href="http://www.alvernia.edu/">Alvernia University</a> in Reading, Pa., who eventually awarded him a scholarship.</p><p>Now, nearly five years later, Bernard is a recent Alvernia graduate who will begin his career at <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/">Penske</a> as a Sales and Operations Management Trainee in early 2015.</p><p>It’s still hard for the 24-year-old to grasp how much life has changed in such a short time. With little more than hard work and determination, he earned his bachelor’s degree in communications, becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college.</p><p>“It’s difficult to believe how far I have come,” said Bernard. “I can’t even think of just one thing that excites me because everything excites me and everything is an opportunity now.”</p><p>Fluent in four languages, Bernard feels that his new role at Penske will allow him to use his story to inspire people on a daily basis.</p><p>“I know that changes in life can be difficult,” Bernard said. “But if we pay attention to the details, we can make the most of any situation.”</p><p>Despite all that he has been through, Bernard inspires those around him with his actions just as much as his words. It is his drive and passion that initially put him on Penske’s radar.</p><p>In fact, Penske’s Executive Vice President of Operations Art Vallely knew that Bernard was special from the moment they first met.</p><p>“Junior is a very impressive young man,” said Vallely. “He has all the qualities we at Penske look for when hiring for our management training program, and he'll be a great addition to the Penske team.”</p><p>In the future, Bernard plans to return to Haiti to inspire people to make positive changes in their lives. He takes a great deal of pride in knowing that if he can do it, so can others like him. In the meantime, Junior is excited to begin his new career with Penske.</p><p>“This is a great new part in my life,” said Bernard. “I’m just so happy now. It’s amazing.”</p><p>Penske is hiring qualified candidates like Bernard to join the Sales and Operations Management Training Program. Visit <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/careers/">GoPenske.com/careers</a> to apply today.</p><p><em>By Tony Kozuch</em></p></div>
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Penske Attending March Career Fairs - New Schools Added
March 03, 2014
Penske is participating in career fairs in March at these colleges nationwide: San Jose State University, University at Buffalo, Hudson Valley Community College, San Diego State University, Northeastern University, Penn State, Penn State – Berks, College Career Centers of Western Massachusetts and Alvernia University.
<p>Penske is seeking qualified candidates for a variety of positions, including part-time Rental Representatives, full-time Management Trainees and participants for its Supply Chain Leadership Program.</p><p>Students and alumni are invited to attend these events. Please check with your school’s Career Center for exact times and locations.</p><p>March 6: <a href="http://events.sjsu.edu/EventList.aspx?view=EventDetails&eventidn=7515&information_id=17265&type=&syndicate=syndicate">Expo ’14 Job/Internship Fair</a> at San Jose State University, San Jose, Calif.</p><p><span>*NEW*</span> March 12: Career Fair at <a href="http://www.buffalo.edu/">University at Buffalo</a>, Buffalo, N.Y.</p><p><span>*NEW*</span> March 12: Career Fair at <a href="https://www.hvcc.edu/">Hudson Valley Community College</a>, Troy, N.Y.</p><p><span>*NEW*</span> March 13: Career Fair at <a href="http://www.sdsu.edu/">San Diego State University</a>, San Diego</p><p>March 13: Supply Chain Expo at <a href="http://www.northeastern.edu/">Northeastern University</a>, Boston</p><p>March 19: Career Fair at <a href="http://berks.psu.edu/">Penn State-Berks Campus</a>, Reading, Pa.</p><p>March 26 and 27: <a href="http://careerfairs.psu.edu/spring/student/default.shtml">Spring Career Days</a> at Penn State University, University Park, Pa.</p><p><span>*NEW*</span> March 27: Career Fair at <a href="http://www.cccwmjobs.com/">College Career Centers of Western Massachusetts</a>, Springfield, Mass.</p><p>March 27: <a href="https://www.alvernia.edu/events/2013/02/AlverniaCareerInternshipFair.php">Career and Internship Fair</a> at Alvernia University, Reading, Pa.</p><p>For more information about Penske’s open positions, visit the <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/careers/">Penske careers</a> page. Penske offers competitive wages and a wide range of <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/careers/employment_benefits.html">benefits</a>. Penske is an Equal Opportunity Employer.</p><p> <em>By Kandace Wertz</em></p></div>
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Penske & Alvernia Team Up for MBA
October 10, 2013
Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Logistics are partnering withAlvernia University to offer a Master of Business Administration degree. Alvernia, a 3,000-student, 121-acre private institution in Reading, Pennsylvania, is bringing its MBA professors to Penske’s global headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania, for a program that begins Oct. 23. The two campuses are separated by 4.3 miles.
<p>According to Penske senior trainer Colleen Kunkle classes will meet weekly and the 17 enrolled students are expected to earn their degrees in three years (the number could increase to 20 by the time classes start). The program follows a cohort model: students start collectively and graduate together.</p><p>Penske associates will receive a discounted tuition rate.</p><p>Of the 17 students, 13 are employed by <a href="https://www.gopenske.com/">Penske Truck Leasing</a> and four from subsidiary <a href="https://www.penskelogistics.com/">Penske Logistics</a>.</p><p>Six associates work in a finance capacity, while the rest support the company’s supply chain, fleet services, truck vehicle maintenance, used trucks, quality and information technology groups.</p><p>Cilia Torres is a project manager for Penske’s used trucks product line where she works with the company’s vendors and its various sales channels. She earned a criminal justice bachelor‘s degree from Alvernia and has been with the company for nine years.</p><p>“I was researching various MBA programs and I thought that this was a great option,” she said. “Having the program here at Penske gave me the push to start now.” Torres is also pursuing her Six Sigma black belt certification.<i></i></p><p>Kevin Bender has spent 13 years in the supply chain industry, earning a bachelor’s degree in business logistics, with an operations management minor, from Penn State University. He has been with Penske for a little over a year as a manager for carrier relations, involved with the company’s third-party logistics transportation network.</p><p>“I was looking to enter a graduate program for a number of years,” Bender explained. “This is a good program for family life and work balance – I have two small children at home. I feel like this is the last piece to help me get to the executive level.”</p><p><img class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4a2ca4d5f8784b70063e71e8fd1dfeaf" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" id="6f8c6" type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTEyNzMwOS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTU5NjUwNDIxMX0.Ay3EjxjOXpIkB7dFD7Ygr15WxJ7fWC1xt79BXAvX9io/img.jpg?width=980"/>While Penske spends millions on training each year for the company’s 18,300 global associates, and has a long history of promoting educational and developmental opportunities to their associates, this is the first time they have partnered with a university to bring classes directly to their associates.</p><p>“I would call this relationship with Alvernia another progression of our learning efforts,” explained Ken Hurley, Penske senior vice president of human resources. “We promote high levels of learning and career development here at Penske. At every level of the organization there are opportunities for our associates to learn, grow and develop – both personally and professionally.</p><p>“As a company we care about our associates and one way we do that is by showing an interest in their personal and career growth through our tuition assistance program,” he stated. “Programs like this are a great way to help develop the next generation of Penske leadership talent.”</p><p>Penske has a long-time relationship with Alvernia and has employees who earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from the school.</p><p>Alvernia has offered its MBA program on locations at other area companies. Its business faculty conducts regional leadership and training seminars.</p><p>“We really believe that partnerships like this are important for professionals in the community,” said Daria LaTorre, Alvernia dean of graduate and adult education. “If we can make it easier for Penske employees to gain a career advantage with minimal impact on their busy lives, then it’s well worth the effort.”</p><p align="right"><i>By “Move Ahead” Staff</i></p></div>
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