Big Sky Times

When Anissia Sylla came to Montana State University to pursue a degree, she didn't realize how much the university’s community of mentors and resources would contribute to her success. 

Originally from Ivory Coast, a country in West Africa, Sylla had pursued a degree in food science and quality control back home, planning to work in the country’s cocoa industry. Her agriculture aspirations drove her decision to transfer to MSU because of its reputation as a land-grant university, she said, but she soon found her interest in finance blooming. 

“Many people helped me be successful (at MSU),” Sylla said. “I knew when I was dealing with a difficult situation, there were people there to help me like Deborah in Office of International Programs, Brenda Truman in the business college and friends.”  

With French as her first language, Sylla spent seven months at MSU taking classes to perfect her English before diving into a finance business degree in the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. Sylla said that while her spoken English greatly improved, the MSU Writing Center helped her improve her written assignments.   

“When I went to the Writing Center, tutors helped me figure out what wording was best,” she said. “They asked me questions that lead to more explanation, and my paper would get better this way.” 

She also took advantage of office hours with faculty to help her figure out parts of lectures or homework, and the business college’s Bracken Center assisted with internships and business assignments. 

“All students should take advantage of office hours,” Sylla said. 

Business students are encouraged to have an internship before graduating from the Jabs College, and various factors can make navigating that process more complicated for international students, said Mariah Stopplecamp, director of Bracken Center. The center helps business students find professional engagement opportunities like internships, student organizations and business communications assistance.     

“Anissia is fantastic,” Stopplecamp said, noting that with the assistance of MSU’s Office of International Programs, Sylla was able to get needed visa approvals for her paid internship. “She faced many barriers to get the internship and took the initiative to make sure all her bases were covered.”  

Gary Caton, an MSU business professor and adviser for the Finance Club, said that over the course of three years he saw Sylla take advantage of opportunities, including a networking trip to New York, where she confidently made presentations as vice president of the Finance Club.

“I was delighted to watch her transformation from tentative, second-language English speaker to confident finance professional,” Caton said. As Sylla sought out internships, campus clubs like the African Student Association and activities, she developed a community of mentors and peers who supported her through academics and other life challenges, including the death of her mother last year in school, she said.

“My mother passed away that January. I was so lost and disoriented. It was really hard,” she said, adding that her mother strongly supported her traveling from Ivory Coast to Montana to complete her education. Between her college friends and campus offices helping her explore scholarships and work-study, people from across the MSU community supported her when she needed a hand, Sylla said. 

She graduated from MSU in the fall of 2022 and is now working for a tax preparation company on the East Coast while volunteering her time with business development and fundraising opportunities. “I am so grateful to all the people in my corner supporting me, believing in me and encouraging me throughout my journey, and showing me kindness,” Sylla said. 

Contact: Audrey Capp, Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, audrey.capp@montana.edu

or 406-994-7026

Original source can be found here.