The magazine for alumni and friends of the UB School of Management
Issue link: http://ubschoolofmanagement.uberflip.com/i/1543053
14 Buffalo Business | AI AND BUSINESS ANALYTICS SOCIAL IMPACT OF MANAGEMENT BUSINESS OF CLIMATE CHANGE INNOVATION, ENTREPREURSHP AND LEADERSHIP W hen School of Management undergrads arrived at a networking event before the 43North Finals (Buffalo's Shark-Tank-style pitch competition held each fall), they were chasing a victory of their own. Using Suit-A-Bull, a gamified career-readiness app, the students were working toward earning a digital badge that recognizes newly developed skills — in this case, networking. The student engagement and success app is fun and interactive, featuring stackable badges customized to School of Management students. The school's Career Resource Center piloted the app in early 2025 and offi- cially launched it last fall. "I've gained so much since I began using the app for my Introduction to Management course," says Selena Huynh, BS '29. "With each mission and event, I am learning, growing and creat- ing a clearer picture of what I want to achieve while I am a student at UB." Each digital badge ties class- room skills to future careers. Built on the Suitable platform, the app integrates research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers to help students understand career readiness and their own strengths in the eight NACE competencies: career and self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork and technology. "Studies show gamification significantly boosts motivation and engagement, turning academic challenges into rewarding mile- stones," says Caitlin Rush, senior associate director of the Career Resource Center. The Academic Exploration Badge that students were working toward on the night of the 43North Finals was designed by Celine Krzan, clinical assistant professor of entrepreneurship, to encourage undergraduates to connect with the UB campus and the broader Buffalo community, while helping them think purposefully about what they want to focus on during their academic journey. Bringing skills to life For many students, networking events offer a natural way to test classroom learning. Abigail Nembhard, BS '29, used the oppor- tunity to take a new professional step, all while working her way up the Suit-A-Bull leaderboard. "I set up a LinkedIn account to connect with people in a By Alexandra Richter GAMIFIED GROWTH How an app is shaping career readiness Photo: Tom Wolf Huynh Nembhard Rush