2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeProgram offers summer business experience
By Rebekah Jones
Posted: 5/7/08, 8:22 PM EST Section: News
Sixteen undergraduates from across Central and upstate New York will join the Martin J. Whitman School of Management for the second annual Summer Experience in Business for Undergraduates (SEBU) program - and not one of them is a business student.
Whitman offers a two-week "mini-MBA," providing free room, board, transportation and an additional $1,000 to participating students, said Melvin Stith, the dean of Whitman. Students involved in the program are from Syracuse University, Cornell University, Fordham University, Binghamton University and the State University of New York at Geneseo.
"SEBU is a wonderful addition to our activities," Stith said. "So many times students think you need a business undergrad degree to get an MBA (Master of Business Administration), but this program offers students the chance to get real experience in the business field."
Last year, the Whitman School welcomed the 16 accepted students with a barbeque at the dean's house with Stith and other Whitman faculty.
"The Stiths invited all participants, including the faculty, into their home for an afternoon barbeque," said Kate Conetta, a Fordham University economics major and former participant in SEBU. "In my entire life of education, I have never felt so comfortable around administrators before."
Stith began the program last year as an opportunity for non-business students to become involved with the MBA program.
"I just thought that it would be nice to start a relationship with the liberal arts schools in New York," Stith said. "We had a great class last year. We could not have asked for a better group of young men and women."
Alex Regenstreich, a senior information management and technology major at SU, changed his career goals after attending SEBU.
"I decided to participate for the learning experience and extra cash for the summer," Regenstreich said. "The experience is extensive and challenging, but it's designed that way for a purpose. You aren't just lounging around, you're exposed to a jam packed schedule with seminars lasting all day and you're expected to be alert and ready to learn."
Whitman offers a two-week "mini-MBA," providing free room, board, transportation and an additional $1,000 to participating students, said Melvin Stith, the dean of Whitman. Students involved in the program are from Syracuse University, Cornell University, Fordham University, Binghamton University and the State University of New York at Geneseo.
"SEBU is a wonderful addition to our activities," Stith said. "So many times students think you need a business undergrad degree to get an MBA (Master of Business Administration), but this program offers students the chance to get real experience in the business field."
Last year, the Whitman School welcomed the 16 accepted students with a barbeque at the dean's house with Stith and other Whitman faculty.
"The Stiths invited all participants, including the faculty, into their home for an afternoon barbeque," said Kate Conetta, a Fordham University economics major and former participant in SEBU. "In my entire life of education, I have never felt so comfortable around administrators before."
Stith began the program last year as an opportunity for non-business students to become involved with the MBA program.
"I just thought that it would be nice to start a relationship with the liberal arts schools in New York," Stith said. "We had a great class last year. We could not have asked for a better group of young men and women."
Alex Regenstreich, a senior information management and technology major at SU, changed his career goals after attending SEBU.
"I decided to participate for the learning experience and extra cash for the summer," Regenstreich said. "The experience is extensive and challenging, but it's designed that way for a purpose. You aren't just lounging around, you're exposed to a jam packed schedule with seminars lasting all day and you're expected to be alert and ready to learn."
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