Colorado University Athletics
Naghede Abu has led CU in blocks as a freshman and sophomore
Photo by: Gary Breedlove
The Sky's The Limit For Abu, On And Off The Court
July 21, 2017 | Volleyball
BOULDER — Colorado junior middle blocker Naghede Abu has been a breakout star for the Buffs since the day she stepped foot on campus her freshman year. During her sophomore season Abu led the team in both blocking and attack percentage, bringing the perfect amount of physicality and competitiveness needed to help the Buffs win in a highly competitive Pac-12 Conference.
Abu is no stranger to excelling quickly in whatever she puts her mind to. The Buffs standout didn't even start playing volleyball until her junior year at Norte Vista High School in Riverside, Calif., and earned all-league honors almost immediately. That ability to adjust and stand out quickly translated to the college level, when she broke CU's freshman season record by posting 142 total blocks (15 solo and 127 assists). She also played in 31 of 32 matches and earned 29 starts during her freshman season.
It is easy, when discussing Abu's accomplishments, to list her on-court accolades and successes. But what perhaps may not be mentioned enough are her off-court accomplishments and how she is making strides in the business community.
Abu is a business administration major with an emphasis in finance and accounting and is working toward a minor in leadership studies as well. During the 2016 season, Abu earned a spot on the Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention team. Her hard work in her fields of study have already been opening doors for her in the business world, one of these doors being an opportunity to participate in a 10-week Operations Internship program with Wal-Mart U.S.
The majority of her internship has been spent in Denver, but she had the chance to travel to the Wal-Mart Home Office in Bentonville, Ark., and see some of the inner workings of Wal-Mart.
"It was really cool because I was able to see what goes on behind closed doors and exactly what it is that makes them such a successful company," Abu said of her visit to Bentonville.
This internship is designed to challenge and bring out Abu's creativity during the 10-week program period. She is required to complete a project over the course of her internship that involves coming up with an innovative plan for Wal-Mart to drive sales in their stores, leverage costs, provide convenience to the customer, and provide a work environment that every member of the Wal-Mart community can be proud of. She was assigned a Wal-Mart store in Denver to implement her plan and the element of implementing her plan with an actual store allows her to measure her success rate.
Abu is still still not completely sure what she wants to do after graduation, but she is keeping her options open.
"I am currently majoring in accounting and finance so I could easily see myself working on Wall Street someday or maybe even continuing to medical school to become a surgeon," she said.
For Abu, this summer has helped her gain some insight on a possible post-college career option. She isn't opposed to the idea at all of possibly working for Wal-Mart in the future.
"I would be honored to work for Wal-Mart in the future," said Abu. "This summer has really caused me to realize that retail is an exciting field and it is constantly changing and growing. I especially love that every day presents a new challenge and that there are no dull moments."
Throughout the duration of most internships there are always important lessons learned and these lessons are usually what make internships worthwhile. Abu is in the eighth week of her 10-week program with Wal-Mart and she says the biggest lesson she has learned thus far is that the classroom is not a substitute for the real world.
"The Leeds School of Business has done a good job in preparing me for what a job of this caliber entails, but I was still stunned by how different it was in the real world, where my actions could have an actual impact on customers, associates and profit," she said.
Abu credits her mother for her ability to adjust and excel quickly in whatever situation comes her way in her life. Her mother sets a standard that inspires Abu to be the best version of herself on a daily basis.
"I attribute any and all success I have had to my mother," Abu said. "While I was growing up she worked very hard to make sure I had everything I wanted so I do what I can to make her proud."
Abu has drive to be the best in whatever she does and this drive helps her stand out among the rest. She is undoubtedly a talented young woman with a bright future ahead of her in both the CU volleyball sphere and in the career venture she sets her sights upon in the future.
Abu is no stranger to excelling quickly in whatever she puts her mind to. The Buffs standout didn't even start playing volleyball until her junior year at Norte Vista High School in Riverside, Calif., and earned all-league honors almost immediately. That ability to adjust and stand out quickly translated to the college level, when she broke CU's freshman season record by posting 142 total blocks (15 solo and 127 assists). She also played in 31 of 32 matches and earned 29 starts during her freshman season.
It is easy, when discussing Abu's accomplishments, to list her on-court accolades and successes. But what perhaps may not be mentioned enough are her off-court accomplishments and how she is making strides in the business community.
Abu is a business administration major with an emphasis in finance and accounting and is working toward a minor in leadership studies as well. During the 2016 season, Abu earned a spot on the Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention team. Her hard work in her fields of study have already been opening doors for her in the business world, one of these doors being an opportunity to participate in a 10-week Operations Internship program with Wal-Mart U.S.
The majority of her internship has been spent in Denver, but she had the chance to travel to the Wal-Mart Home Office in Bentonville, Ark., and see some of the inner workings of Wal-Mart.
"It was really cool because I was able to see what goes on behind closed doors and exactly what it is that makes them such a successful company," Abu said of her visit to Bentonville.
This internship is designed to challenge and bring out Abu's creativity during the 10-week program period. She is required to complete a project over the course of her internship that involves coming up with an innovative plan for Wal-Mart to drive sales in their stores, leverage costs, provide convenience to the customer, and provide a work environment that every member of the Wal-Mart community can be proud of. She was assigned a Wal-Mart store in Denver to implement her plan and the element of implementing her plan with an actual store allows her to measure her success rate.
Abu is still still not completely sure what she wants to do after graduation, but she is keeping her options open.
"I am currently majoring in accounting and finance so I could easily see myself working on Wall Street someday or maybe even continuing to medical school to become a surgeon," she said.
For Abu, this summer has helped her gain some insight on a possible post-college career option. She isn't opposed to the idea at all of possibly working for Wal-Mart in the future.
"I would be honored to work for Wal-Mart in the future," said Abu. "This summer has really caused me to realize that retail is an exciting field and it is constantly changing and growing. I especially love that every day presents a new challenge and that there are no dull moments."
Throughout the duration of most internships there are always important lessons learned and these lessons are usually what make internships worthwhile. Abu is in the eighth week of her 10-week program with Wal-Mart and she says the biggest lesson she has learned thus far is that the classroom is not a substitute for the real world.
"The Leeds School of Business has done a good job in preparing me for what a job of this caliber entails, but I was still stunned by how different it was in the real world, where my actions could have an actual impact on customers, associates and profit," she said.
Abu credits her mother for her ability to adjust and excel quickly in whatever situation comes her way in her life. Her mother sets a standard that inspires Abu to be the best version of herself on a daily basis.
"I attribute any and all success I have had to my mother," Abu said. "While I was growing up she worked very hard to make sure I had everything I wanted so I do what I can to make her proud."
Abu has drive to be the best in whatever she does and this drive helps her stand out among the rest. She is undoubtedly a talented young woman with a bright future ahead of her in both the CU volleyball sphere and in the career venture she sets her sights upon in the future.
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