EVOLUTION OF A BUSINESS PROGRAM DESIGNED TO DEVELOP STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

This paper describes the 20-year evolution of the College of Business in developing a comprehensive, four-year professional and career development program for students. We began by designing a business spine, a series of courses introducing students to the tools of business decision-making. The spine culminated by requiring each business major to complete two internships, consisting of at least 300 hours of work experience. We now understand that students also need to acquire a variety of skills over four years, on their paths to becoming business professionals. We show the importance to students’ success of experiential learning, including internships, mentoring, and skill-development. Students now take freshman and sophomore business experience courses, meet with their career mentors over their four years, and participate in a variety of workshops and other activities and events to help them learn business and professional skills and attitudes. We believe this comprehensive, four-year program contributes to our nearly 99% placement rates within six months of graduation.