Qvotrup, Jennifer

Before college, Jennifer Qvotrup was fascinated by both business and English and thought she might become a K-12 teacher. “I didn’t have a formal career path in mind prior to deciding on business,” she says.During her time at the College of Saint Elizabeth, Professor Qvotrup was motivated to pursue a double major by her mentor and advisor, Sister Maria Rosa. She thought that a combination of Spanish and business would be a good double major to prepare for a career domestically or internationally.

“What I think is fascinating about business is how success comes down to effectiveness, efficiency and decision making,” Qvotrup says. “You really see how businesses move forward under the guidance of leaders who are very empowering, who help their staff achieve business goals and can really move a company forward together.”

Qvotrup started her career at Maersk Line, an international container transportation and logistics company. One of her positions in corporate was training new employees both domestically and overseas. After working at Maersk Line for 12 years, Professor Qvotrup segued into teaching.

“I realized that teaching and sharing knowledge about the shipping industry and about business information systems was something I wanted to do full time,” Qvortrup says. “That led me to apply to some colleges so that I could teach in my field.” In 2002, she became an adjunct professor at County College of Morris (CCM) and after 14 years of teaching, became a full-time business faculty member in August 2016.

“When I started as an adjunct, it was a great entryway into the profession. CCM is a supportive, student-focused college. Everything we do, from advising, to scheduling, to teaching, to assisting students with the transfer process, is done with the whole student in mind. We have a chance to develop a close connection with students, and you don’t see this in some of the bigger schools.”

Professor Qvotrup advises her students to foster a mentoring relationship with someone such as a trusted professor, adviser, coach or co-worker, so they have someone to turn to when needed. “Most of all, make the most of your college experience– absorb and learn everything you can!”