University at Buffalo School of Management

16 Buffalo Business | BUSINESS ANALYTICS SOCIAL IMPACT OF MANAGEMENT BUSINESS OF CLIMATE CHANGE INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LEADERSHIP F or international students like Aiona Lawrence, who is completing her Master of Science in business analyt- ics, 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 grad- uate students, allows students to explore various industries and iden- tify 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 who complete the program receive a micro-credential — a digital badge that can be shared on social media, résumés and e-port- folios 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 trajec- tory 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 oen continue aer 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 Navigating corporate aspirations through alumni network BY A L E X A N D R A R I C H T E R School of Management students prepare to lead in today's business world School of Management students at United headquarters in Chicago.

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