Navigating corporate aspirations through alumni network
School of Management students prepare to lead in today’s business world
By Alexandra Richter
For international students like Aiona Lawrence, who is completing her Master of Science in business analytics, the school’s Experience the 50 program offers global perspective through the exploration of a wide range of businesses right here in the U.S.
“I came to the School of Management from India four years ago, so the United States is still a whole new place for me,” says Lawrence. “Through Experience the 50, I have been able to immerse myself in a new city, while connecting with alumni in that region.”
The seven-week program, open to both undergraduate and graduate students, allows students to explore various industries and identify ways to make an impact in major cities across the country both through a virtual component and then traveling to a program’s city.
In the past year, the program has offered four experiences: Tech Trek to Boston; Leadership, Industry and Culture in Chicago; Business Practices in Disney; and West Coast FinTech and West Coast Tech Trek with combined travel to Silicon Valley.
Students learned about business practices at the Walt Disney offices in Kissimmee, Florida.
Students who complete the program receive a micro-credential — a digital badge that can be shared on social media, résumés and e-portfolios to increase their marketability and showcase their abilities.
Participants say the program provides them with skills in critical thinking, communication, time management and professionalism, as well as insight into post-graduation opportunities.
“The program offers a tangible glimpse of the potential trajectory if you go right from an MBA program into a corporate internship, and then onward into a profession,” says Professional MBA student Jennifer Augustine. “The journey is not as linear as I thought; there are numerous deviations to explore.”
Over the past year, students visited such companies as Google, United Airlines, Visa, Wayfair and the headquarters of Wow Bao. On these corporate visits, students connect with alumni, elevating their experience and allowing them to envision where their careers could take them. The connections and conversations, which often continue after the experience through networking sites such as LinkedIn, shape perspective and boost confidence for students as they enter their chosen fields.
“The networking is unmatched,” says Hui Song, a senior in the business administration program. “As business students, we need a lot of opportunities and resources beyond textbooks. In this program, we can learn from the experience of others so we can be more prepared to accept opportunities.”
Lawrence, who participated in both the Chicago and Silicon Valley experiences, says she looks forward to tapping into alumni resources when she graduates this spring, noting that alumni can tell students things that they would not otherwise know about a city, such as what the work culture is like in the region.
“Many of the alumni we connect with have graduated within the last decade, so it’s an inspiration to see what we can soon be achieving as well,” says Lawrence. “They explained the post-educational journey in a way where I can see what is realistic, how the world is evolving, what is happening around us and what can impact our careers.”
Students with alumna, Joanne Rinaldo, second from right, at Universal Studios.
Joanne Rinaldo, BS ’95, director of the IT Program and Project Management Office at Universal Studios and Resorts, has participated in the program both during her career at Universal Studios and at United Airlines in Chicago.
“Participating in Experience the 50 program allows me to give back to School of Management students even though I no longer live in Western New York,” she says. “Our operations tours shed light on how much is involved behind the scenes compared to what students see from a customer perspective. Hopefully, it's a reminder that the analysis and decisions that are made in a conference room impact not just the bottom line but also operations, employees and the customer experience.”
Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah, clinical associate professor of organization and human resources and faculty director of Global Programs, encourages students to experience the world of global business right here in the United States.
“Experience the 50 is a wonderful opportunity for students both personally and professionally, as they expand their perspectives, make new connections and prepare to lead in today’s business world,” Siaw-Asamoah says. “With the hybrid nature of the program, it allows students to deepen their knowledge and connect with alumni and business leaders in a more accessible way.”
To learn more about Experience the 50 and all of the school’s global programs, visit management.buffalo.edu/globalprograms.
