Class Gift Offers Freshmen Business Insights

The inaugural Goizueta Pathways Program, which took place during summer 2008, aimed to "increase access to the business arena for Emory University and Oxford College freshmen whose exposure and preparation for the field may have been limited." Selection for the program was based on financial need and the potential value added to the student’s academic experience. With funding from the 2003 Evening MBA class gift, this two week summer seminar gave 16 students a chance to immerse themselves into the corporate arena and broaden their understanding of business. Morning sessions were comprised of Goizueta Business School classes, lead by top professors and department heads, and were designed to highlight the functional areas of business. Afternoon and evening sessions featured interactive learning activities lead by corporate executives and industry specialists from various fields.

As Resident Advisor and Student Activities Chair, I had the unique opportunity to plan events and interact with the students throughout the two week program. Each student offered a different perspective which helped in creating a strong group dynamic and unforgettable experience. Evening activities ranged from a business etiquette dinner to an improvisation training program and gave students the opportunity to gain important skill sets necessary for their interviews and job-related experiences in the future. By the end of the two weeks, each student had gained a better understanding of the functional areas in business, learned important terminology, benefitted from hands-on experiences with top-level executives and industry experts, and built lasting friendships with the other participants in the program. The enthusiastic feedback from students was quite encouraging, and the BBA Program is currently selecting the 09 Scholars

Jordon Pious, BBA09