from the Czech Republic.
earning an MBA.
studying economics.
someone who takes initiative.
an entrepreneur.
hyper.

Jan co-founded Willamette’s cycling team.

Local schoolchildren learn about globalism as Jan discusses his Czech culture.

The BA/MBA joint degree is putting Jan on the fast track to becoming an entrepreneur.

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IAM

A Business Man, Minus the Suit

Biking is more than a pastime for Jan Taborsky — it’s a vocation.

Academic Life

Jan Taborsky's summer internship at Scott USA was so much fun that it didn't really seem like work — he climbed in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains, test-rode cutting-edge new bicycles, took group rides with his co-workers during lunch breaks and met cycling journalists from across the country.

But he also conducted price-comparison research, helped market products to retailers and worked with media to promote the latest bikes.

That's the appeal of working in business, Jan says. With so many entrepreneurial possibilities, it's easy to find one that matches your personal passions.

Willamette helped Jan find a creative way to mix his personal passion for biking with his interest in business.

His Scott USA internship was one of two he pursued after winning the Kemper Scholarship, a national award that preps students for careers in business.

And the economics major also enrolled in Willamette's BA/MBA combined degree program, allowing him to get a jump start on his career by finishing both degrees in five years instead of the typical six.

The Future

Jan spent much of his childhood in the Czech Republic on a mountain bike, and you're more likely to see him riding his bike across campus than walking.

His ambition is to start his own business, hopefully on an international level, in cycling goods or services.

Beyond the Classroom

He already has experience launching new ventures. At Willamette, he co-founded the cycling team.

Forming a new team meant he had to put his new business skills to use as he did everything from recruit members to obtain sponsorships from local businesses.

Why I Value Willamette

"Attending Willamette and getting the Kemper Scholarship were life-changing experiences for me. Both opportunities gave me direction and laid out a potential career path.

"I also hold perspectives from two different cultures — central European and American — which will give me an edge in the business world."

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