Most young college students wait until after graduation before starting a career. Not Aaron Bates.

Just a week after beginning his final semester, Bates joined the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce as vice president of communications. He will graduate in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in marketing with a minor in finance.

A fourth-generation Lakeland native, Bates transferred to USF's campus in Lakeland after his sophomore year at Florida State. He moved back to Lakeland when he married his wife, Katie, to be closer to friends and family and to take advantage of this campus' unique academic environment.

"The faculty is excellent," says Bates, "and you can actually sit down and talk to them. You're not just a number. If you choose to engage the professors, you'll get all the attention you need. "You can have success close to home," he said. "You can, as our slogan says, stay home and go far."

Although Bates did not fit a traditional student profile with a wife and two sons soon to follow, that did not stop him from being involved in student life. He took the opportunity to develop his leadership skills and helped shape what students enjoy today though his involvement in the Student Government Association. He served as vice president, treasurer and started the student senate. He was also helped begin the Delta Sigma Pi chapter and served as vice president.

Bates says professors Andrew Artis, Carol Osborne and Arun Tandon played key roles in helping him achieve his academic goals and prepare for a business career.