BCC Spotlight!
Summer 2009
IN THIS ISSUE…
- Deadline Approaching for Sophomore Shadow Participation
- First Sophomore Business Class Admitte
- Fall Recruiting Is Her
- Recruiting Now Easier on UW-Madison Campu
- Parking Reminder for Grainger Hal
- Registration Still Open for Fall Career Forum 200
- Moving On With…Jake Nelso
- International Education – Preparing Global Leader
- Corporate Partner Benefits Revampe
- Who Are Our Students
- The BCC – Now on Twitter
- Key Dates to Remembe
- We Enjoy Hearing from Yo
Deadline Approaching for Sophomore Shadow Participation
Employers interested in taking part in the BCC's Sophomore Shadow Program this fall must post their shadow opportunities in BuckyNet by September 18. Through this new program, employers have the opportunity to give newly admitted sophomores in the Wisconsin School of Business and School of Human Ecology an up -close look at their company or industry by "shadowing" professionals through a normal day on the job.
The one-day shadow experience, occurring during winter break (January 4 –January 15, 2010), will match students with business professionals based on their career interests. There is minimal cost to employers as students are responsible for travel and lodging. The BCC coordinates the program, provides employers with materials to get started, and facilitates the matching process.
The Sophomore Shadow Program is integrated within the BuckyNet online recruiting system for employers to screen and rank all students. The system will process the employer - student matches. Posting instructions, along with other details about the Sophomore Shadow Program may be found on the BCC website. For more information contact: Diane Upto at the BCC.
First Sophomore Business Class Admitted
This fall the Wisconsin School of Business(WSOB) welcomes its first incoming class of sophomores. The 397 sophomore students admitted to the school possess an average pre-business GPA of 3.56 and a cumulative GPA of 3.35.
A second wave of sophomore admissions will occur this spring. As the WSOB transitions from a junior to a sophomore admission process, the school also admitted 400 juniors who averaged pre-business and business/economics GPAs of 3.50 and cumulative GPAs of 3.55.
Fall Recruiting Season Is Here! The fall on-campus recruiting season at the Business Career Center begins Monday, October 5 and continues through Monday, November 30. Despite the economic slowdown, several dates are already filled to capacity. We encourage employers to book your on-campus recruiting date as soon as possible. To reserve your on-campus recruiting date, please LOGIN to your BuckyNet account and click on "Create New Schedule Request." Employers planning an Information Session in Grainger Hall or elsewhere on or off campus should make their information session request on BuckyNet under "Request New Information Session."
Recruiting Now Easier on UW-Madison Campus
Through the newly expanded BuckyNet partnership, employers now have access to one student database encompassing thousands of students in over 100 majors from the Wisconsin School of Business (undergraduate), College of Letters and Science , College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), School of Human Ecology and the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA).
Using the same username and password, employers can login to the BuckyNet online recruiting system from any of the schools to set up on-campus recruiting schedules, post a job and access student resumes. For more information about the affiliated recruiting system, please contact Tena Krummel, Assistant Director, Technology Services at tkrummel@bus.wisc.edu.
Parking Reminder for Grainger Hall
Recruiters in need of parking for their on-campus interviews at the Wisconsin School of Business must contact their BCC Employer Relations representative to request a parking reservation of Lot 7 under Grainger Hall. Recruiters may request one permit per schedule and the name of each recruiter is required at the time the reservation is made.
Please note that Grainger Hall parking will be based on availability and you may be directed to a nearby lot on campus. It is best to arrive early to ensure plenty of time to park and arrive in the BCC offices. Recruiters with advance registrations will be able to purchase permits for a nominal fee under their names from the Grainger Hall booth attendant the morning of their interview schedules. BCC Corporate Partners at the Silver ($5,000) and above levels will receive complimentary parking permits and should follow the same procedure to pick up their complimentary permits. Due to space limitations, we will not be able to provide Grainger Hall parking for greeters.
Registration Still Open for Fall Career Forum 2009
Start your 2009-2010 recruiting season with our biggest career fair of the year! Thursday, September 17 kicks off our on-campus recruiting program for the academic year with our annual Career Forum 2009. Attended by over 1,500 highly qualified UW-Madison students from over 100 majors, the Forum offers employers a convenient and time-efficient way to meet with a broad cross-section of students interested in a career in business.
For your convenience and to ensure your success in reaching potential candidates, the Career Services offices of the Wisconsin School of Business, College of Letters and Science, the School of Human Ecology, and the Wisconsin Alumni Association jointly sponsor this event. The fair is scheduled from 4:30 – 8:00 pm at the Kohl Center. Registration is taking place on BuckyNet.
To take full advantage of your Career Forum participation, employers should be sure to:
- List your jobs (full time and internships) on the BuckyNet online job board or on-campus interview schedule. Both our job board and on-campus interviews are free of charge to employers.
- Use the free Web Resume Book (available September 14) to invite students to visit your booth using the books e-mail feature.
- Stand "out in front" of your booth to engage students in a friendly and welcoming manner.
Consider becoming a Corporate Partner of the BCC. Corporate Partner status as the Bronze level or above gives organization prime table location and recognition at BCC career fairs.
"Twenty years from now you will be more is appointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."Mark Twain UW Senior Jake Nelson certainly has heeded Twain's advice as he has used the world as his classroom during his four years as a Wisconsin School of Business student. As an international business and finance major, Nelson has taken advantage of the university's myriad of study abroad opportunities to enrich his personal, professional and academic life.
Nelson's interest in studying abroad sparked from an international sales internship he did two summers ago with a company based in his home town of Winona, Minnesota. "I worked and traveled to India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Korea and Japan –working with the sales team and at the corporate offices. I gained numerous business contacts and friendships that will be great to have as I pursue other business endeavors," he explained.
He was home for only a semester before he was off seeing the world again – participating in two back-to-back study abroad programs to Hong Kong as a business exchange student, and then a language immersion program in Tianjin, Peoples Republic of China.
"It sounds cliché but the international perspective you gain from studying abroad is totally true," he says. "You look at problems and solutions in an entirely new manner. The way we do things in the U.S. is not the only answer – whether you are talking about business solutions or political solutions."
Nelson, who speaks both Spanish and Chinese, has applied his international savvy to a business venture he co-founded with a fellow student – Tour Goggles LLC, a full service tour agency aimed at students. Branded as "Sconnie Tours," the company simplifies the trip planning process and helps students get a fair price for athletic road trips, spring break excursions, social functions and conferences. Nelson is currently expanding the business to other cities and college campuses.
"Starting a business was one of the best experiences I ever had", Nelson said. "It's been an incredible learning experience and one that I would like to share with other students who are interested in entrepreneurship." His own business, coupled with the business and people skills he learned while serving as President of his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta, and recruitment activities for the Inter-Fraternity Council on campus, have all contributed to the leader he is today.
While being an entrepreneur is his ultimate goal, Nelson understands the value of corporate experience and plans to pursue a career in consulting or investments following graduation. The time management skills he honed as an undergraduate will come in handy as he also plans on continuing his tour business, furthering his language studies and doing some volunteer work.
Nelson also enjoys assisting other students formulate their study aboard plans by working as a Peer Advisor in the International Programs Office in the Wisconsin School of Business. "It's fun to share my passion for travel with other students," he said. "Being from the Midwest you sometimes get written off by employers as not being „worldly enough, but through international study experiences, you can show employers that you can operate successfully in other environments."
"My international travels and campus activities have taught me how important it is to put things in perspective. It is important not to get wrapped up in all academics or all social --that "C" you got on an exam isn't the end of the world. You need to recover, and take what you learned from it and move on." Nelson advised.
Now that his school days are winding down what will the graduating senior miss most about UW-Madison? "Absolutely, I am going to miss a summer evening on the terrace. Of all the places in the world it's still one of the coolest places I have ever been," he enthused.
Sometimes, you don't have to travel far to get an awesome experience.
International Education–Preparing Global Leaders
In this globally interconnected world, it is more important than ever for future business leaders to be able to understand and interact with culturally diverse populations. One way students at UW-Madison and the Wisconsin School of Business develop the skills, attitudes and knowledge to navigate the world in the 21st century is through international learning opportunities.
In 2006-2007, UW-Madison ranked 10th among U.S. research universities for study abroad participation –1,900 students of all majors participated in one of the 223 study abroad program offered by the university in 51 countries. The Wisconsin School of Business (WSOB) alone offers 25 programs at premier business schools in 20 countries and each year has from 130-150 students participate in its programs.
"We are constantly looking at ways to expand our program opportunities," according to Judy Symon Hanson, co-director of International Programs for the WSOB. "Our faculty understands the vital role study abroad plays in producing globally competent individuals and leaders. Our goal is to eventually require all of our students to have an international study experience whether abroad or through other international learning opportunities on campus."
Employers too recognize the value of international education and are increasingly looking for it when it comes to hiring candidates. Students who study abroad gain an international perspective and develop cultural awareness, says UW Business School Alum Kristin Wiseman who has worked in China, Israel and London as a Project Leader for Infrastructure Integration for General Electric. "By living in a new country, students improve their ability to adapt to change and to develop relationships with people of different backgrounds. These skills are highly valued in a global company like GE."
Corporate Partner Benefits Revamped
The Corporate Partners Program at the Wisconsin School of Business Career Center offers employers an opportunity to increase their corporate presence at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Having this visibility increases your ability to explore human resource potential, help our students become well-prepared for the workplace, develop relationships with faculty and staff and create vital linkages with one of the top universities of the world. Beginning this fall the BCC Corporate Partners Program has been revamped with additional benefits and an added level for sponsorship. Depending on the level of participation, included in the new benefits are: digital company display, participation in the Business Student Organizations Speakers Bureau, featured item in the BCC student newsletter/blog, full page ad in B-Line publication, prearranged focus group with students, and a scheduled breakfast or lunch meeting with one of the Wisconsin School of Business deans.
The BCC serves students in ten undergraduate majors as well as students in the Integratedand Graduate Masters of Accountancy programs and Masters of Science candidates in Actuarial Science and Quantitative Finance. We alsoserve freshman and sophomores who have not yet applied to the School of Business but are planning to do so upon completion of the necessary requirements. The BCC is also the primary on-campus recruiting office for students in the School of Human Ecology (SoHE). >Each year more than 250 SoHE students register on the BuckyNet database. The following graph may help you in your planning for upcoming recruiting activities:
Have a question for the BCC staff? Need more information about an event or program? Employers can now follow the Business Career Center on Twitter! Check out our Twitter page today! New to Twitter? Discover how people are turning to Twitter as a communications platform to help their businesses at the Twitter 101 webpage
Key Dates to Remember Fall Semester 2009
Instruction Begins: September 2
Career Forum 2009: September 17
Deadline for Sophomore Shadow Job Postings: September 18
On-Campus Interviews: October 5–November 30
Actuarial Science/RMI Career Fair: October 9
Homecoming: October 17
Thanksgiving Recess: November 26 – 29
Last Class Day: December 15
Job Shadow Dates: January 4-15, 2010
As always, we welcome your feedback and encourage you to contact any BCC Employer Relations Team member with your comments and questions.
Steve Schroeder Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Program and Director, Business Career Center sschroeder@bus.wisc.edu 608 265-3771
Lois Flad Senior Associate Director, Employer Relations lflad@bus.wisc.edu608-263-6286
Diane Upton Assistant Director, Employer Relationsdupton@bus.wisc.edu 608-262-2725
Duane Cooper Assistant Director, Employer Relations and Career Events dcooper@bus.wisc.edu 608-262-4393
