Connor Mockenhaupt
Like many seniors in high school nearing their graduation, thoughts of the next step, where to go, and what to major in, started to enter Connor’s mind. Business proved the obvious choice. It runs in the family after all and is a comfort that Connor has grown up around. His father is a salesman and pinball is their product. Pinball Pro is a pinball machine distributor which originally began as a speaker upgrader. Connor recalls starting small with basic assemblies to now being responsible for prepping speaker kits and all the products that they sell.
Growing up in Oakland, Nebraska, a small town of 1,300 people, Connor Mockenhaupt’s graduating class consisted of 35 people; 25 he had known since kindergarten. This small-town experience with small class sizes had its pros and cons, but generally allowed a solid foundational learning experience and the ability to participate in a variety of activities beyond academics. Connor cites opportunities with band, choir, theater, and speech group that he’s thankful to have experienced and may not have received in a larger school.
The time spent in speech competitions directly influenced Connor’s participation in the North Shore Sales Competition with the Professional Selling Team at the CBA. The NSSC, held in Salisbury, Maryland every spring, is a nationally recognized competition. This is both UNO and Connor’s second year attending. He has high hopes for placing well having practiced with his teammates and the Director of the Professional Selling Center, Dr. Shannon Cummins.
Though secondary in sales, Connor’s first instincts involved marketing. Having helped with his local Future Farmers America (FFA) chapter during high school, he started to pursue the same track in college. He went through the marketing program but found sales to be more fulfilling. “I really love the people aspect. And I also love too that the success is really up to you and I’m much more motivated by my own success.”
Coming into college with at least 24 college credits from high school offered a unique entry to the CBA. Essentially Connor had to dive into a major right away. With marketing already selected, it was under the advice of a CBA advisor to consider adding a management concentration to his workload. Learning how to administer a business and people has been an incredibly useful addition to Connor’s skillset, one that he enjoys discussing with his dad at times.
Connor credits Dr. Nick Arreola as an influential figure in his management studies. “He was very caring, really took interest. The in-person class was a super small group, but we got to have plenty of conversation. He made sure I had everything I needed. I really appreciated it.” The strategy classes are another point of praise from Connor. The team of faculty involved are engaged and enjoyable.
Connor reflects that in the beginning he was ready for the transition from small to big town. Honestly, he would have liked to have gone bigger, but enjoys Omaha and glad for the experience. Balancing a social life, work, and academics offers the usual struggles for a college student, however Connor has taken a holistic approach to managing these stresses. A single credit class by Gaye Walker offers relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, journaling, and internal scans on how a person is feeling at that time.
“It’s one of best classes I’ve ever taken,” Connor says. “It would be helpful for any incoming freshman to take. Honestly, anyone would benefit from this class.”
After graduating in May, Connor plans to stay in Omaha for at least a year. He currently works at CED part-time, with the potential to move to a full-time position. He would like to transition into a sales position but is open to whatever comes his way. Job opportunities are what you make of them, and Connor has had a share of interesting jobs. He spent last summer working at Henry Doorly Zoo in the children’s adventure trails. He was a supply runner for the beverage concessions during the championship weekend of College World series. He even considered working on a cruise ship after graduation. “To say I did it,” he says with a smile. “I just love being able to talk about it.”
When asked for advice he would give to incoming students, Connor had this to say. “Find and be willing to reach out to your professors. Build relationships with them.” Regarding college life in general, he says; “Get out of your shell. Meet people. Don’t be afraid to be social.”