School of Business > UPDATE > Fall 2002 > Article

Teamwork 101: Great Student Groups
Student Organizations Play Key Role in Life of School

Want to measure the vitality of a business school? Check out its student organizations. The School of Business has more than 30 active student organizations. From the Entrepreneurship Club to the Finance and Investment Society, almost every business interest imaginable is covered and the list is growing. (See sidebar.)

The School of Business has a long tradition of active student organizations and many successful alumni point to experience they received leading student organizations during their college days as key to their later career success. Maria T. Metz, MS '93, said taking an active leadership role in the school's Graduate Business Association gave her the opportunity to practice skills that have served her in both professional and volunteer capacities. Metz, a marketing manager for Motorola, said constructive feedback from faculty, administrators and fellow students allowed her to "improve my leadership and influence capabilities the way my other professional skills were expanded through my graduate studies."

Employers recognize the value of experience in leading student organizations. Assistant Dean for Career Services Karen Stauffacher, who directs the business school's Business Career Center, says employers tell her that leadership in student organizations increasingly is a key consideration they weigh in evaluating resumes.

"Employers recognize that student organizations provide a unique opportunity for students to develop communication, leadership and team-building skills. Increasingly, employers tell us that students who want to stand out in today's tight job market should assume leadership roles in student organizations and make clear how those organizations benefited from their involvement."

It's not just the number of student organizations at the School of Business, it's the caliber. The Sigma Iota Epsilon Chapter, which promotes scholarship in the management field, recently was picked from 65 national chapters to win the National Chapter of the Year Award for the second straight year. In 2001, the UW chapter of the Society for Human Resources Management received a Superior Merit Award from its national organization and hosted a statewide conference attended by more than 100 students from 12 Wisconsin colleges.

The sheer number of student groups and volume of special events can be overwhelming. In an attempt to share ideas and network with peers, a new group was formed last spring, the Undergraduate Business Leadership Council (UBLC), composed of president and vice presidents of business student organizations. The group meets monthly during the school year to exchange ideas on best practices for student organizations and to collaborate on events and activities in the School of Business. The first major initiative of the UBLC was an Undergraduate Student Organization Fair held this fall. More than two dozen organizations filled two floors of the Grainger Hall atrium, and more than 200 students signed up with one or more organizations. Rebecca Smith, assistant director of alumni relations and the staff coordinator for student organizations, said the student feedback to the fair was extremely positive and the event will be repeated.

Students have many demands on their times: their studies, possibly a job, their personal lives. Why do so many Wisconsin business students bother to take the time to be active in student groups? According to student Katie Hauch, president of the International Business Student Association and of the undergraduate leadership council, it's simple: "Playing an active part in a student organization gives us the chance to share our passion and enthusiasm for the organization's goals. I know that my involvement in student organizations will be one of my most favorite memories of the UW."