Spring Break Study Abroad in Paris and Croatia: 2023 Recap

MKTG 3000, Global Marketing Practicum, is a Spring Break Study Abroad experience to Paris and Croatia. The experience is led by marketing professor, Cindy Fox, and students receive credit for MKTG 3000. 

*Applications for Spring Break 2024 are currently open and due November 1st! Program details, cost, and the application can be found here. Students 2nd semester freshman and up (major doesn't matter!) are eligible to apply.*

Special thanks to Kenan Moore, Destiny Faggart, Anna Hogan, and MaKena Jordan (SB 2023 participants) for sharing photos, their experiences, and tips for studying abroad.

Kenan noted that "the architect of Paris is so beautiful and very attentive to detail on everything, the food in Europe is really good and cheaper than how much it is in the United States." 

Posing with the Mona Lisa at the Lourve

Photos from Anna exploring Paris

The class at the Arc de Triomphe

 

While in Paris, students visited Station F, a startup campus that offers everything entrepreneurs need to launch and grow their business. Pictured below is at a local shop for a cheese tasting.

 Destiny commented that she had never traveled internationally before so was excited to do something she was hesitant about doing. She was able to utilize Union Station (1st floor Student Union) to get her passport and spoke with her faculty advisor and the Office of Education Abroad about securing scholarship opportunities. She says, "share your uncertainties with your advisor to help connect any doubts you may have about how to make this experience a reality for you!"

MaKena says the highlight of her experience was "visiting the Eiffel Tower at night to see it sparkle and seeing the sun rise over the water." She also enjoyed a visit to Disneyland Paris and the Palace of Versailles. She created a budget prior to going and utilized the app Duolingo to help her learn basic French. 

Both MaKena and Destiny participated in a baking class at a local bakery.

Students flew together from Paris to Croatia and enjoyed several site visits.

They met with an events company and learned how they marketed an annual race

And also went to a shipping company to learn about logistics

"The amazing views from Dubrovnik over the water and hills really made the experience something I would do over again. I appreciated the great tour guides and Ms. Fox for leading us around the globe and this is something I will truly cherish for a long time." - Kenan

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Exploring Croatia on a boat tour

Spring Break Study Abroad in Germany: 2023 Recap

Dr. Vijay Patel led an inaugural Study Abroad experience to Germany during Spring Break 2023. Students received credit for MGMT 3280, Strategic Management while spending 10 days abroad exploring various companies and learning about business from a global perspective.

**Spring Break 2024, Dr. Patel will lead a group to PARIS and GERMANY.  Belk College of Business students are eligible to apply pending you meet MGMT 3280 prerequisites. See more information on the schedule, cost, and program highlights here. The deadline to apply is November 1st, 2023.**

See pictures below of student highlights from the 2023 experience.

Welcome Dinner together at “Gasthaus Krombach”

Guided tour of the Reichstag to learn about the architecture of the building and the political system of Germany. The Reichstag is the center of Germany’s political life and the supreme democratic structure within the government.

Bradenburg Gate/Bradenburger Tor in Berlin

 

Visit to Porsche Logistics. The company delivers automotive parts to 800 locations worldwide. Depending on the distance, the parts reach their destination within 24 to a maximum of 48 hours. After a presentation on their work, you will be led through their logistic center.

Site visit to MAHLE, a leading international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry as well as a pioneer and technology driver for the mobility of the future. Students met with their Human Resources Team and learned about MAHLE New Ventures.

DRIVE - Volkswagen Group Forum to find out how the Group’s brands are dealing with topics as environment and communication.

Guided tour of the Mercedes-Benz production plant in Sindelfingen. With the Mercedes-Benz, Smart, and Maybach brands, Daimler AG offers its international passenger car customers top class premium automobiles in all vehicle segments.

A tour at the University of Stuttgart

Students also visited the Porsche Museum

Exploring Stuttgart.

Students enjoyed the experience and noted the following about their time abroad.

"I loved the variety of insights into many different areas of life in Germany and impact on the global economy (history, tech, culture, food, education, sustainability, auto productions)."

My favorite part was getting to experience another culture and how they conduct business compared to how we do. It was an eye opening experience and the guides from CEPA were amazing." 

Professional Development this summer with TEKSystems

TEKsystems is hosting Professional Development sessions relating to Resumes, LinkedIn help, How to impress an employer and how to find a career using social media. All of these events are virtual. Once you click on the Link, you can register as well as see the link for the event in the description. 

 Please see the Professional Development Summer Series below: 

 

May 17th – Resumes 

• TEKsystems Professional Development Summer Series - Resumes 

June 14th – LinkedIn 

• TEKsystems Professional Development Summer Series - LinkedIn 

July 19th – How to impress an employer

• TEKsystems Professional Development Summer Series - How to impress an Employer 

August 16th – How to find a career using Social media 

• TEKsystems Professional Development Summer Series - How to find your career using Social Media

Laila Terry | 5 Tips on working in the business world by Peer Guide

 

5 Tips on working in the business world by Peer Guide Laila Terry

 

1.      Act professionally: Everyone you communicate with could be a lead to a job. It doesn’t matter if you are sending an   email to an old neighbor, chatting with fraternity alumni, meeting with a professor, or interacting with anyone else. Always treat every interaction as an opportunity to put your best self forward and show that you are a professional who can be counted on.

2.      Communicate: Most business leaders today did not grow up in an era with cell phones, let alone smartphones, text messaging, and Snapchat. While your friends might appreciate your LOLZ and can quickly decode your shorthand text messages, you should always use proper spelling and grammar for all communications related to business, and with anyone you interact with outside of your close circle of friends.

3.      College Students Should Grow Their network: The adults who are already a part of your life are a major asset when it comes time to find a job. Scout leaders, religious leaders, volunteer organizers, and old bosses are great references and outlets to find potential jobs when you graduate.

4.      Focus on the value you provide: School may have taught you that there are no winners or losers, but when you get into the real world there are no participation trophies. You have to prove your value in your interview, and continue to provide it every day at work. It is no longer about what you want, it is about what you offer.

5. Don't forget to smile :)

 

 

 

 

Upcoming February Events

Spring 2023 CONNECT: The Faces of Business

Our Spring 2023 Keynote presenter is Omar G. Jorge Peña, CEO of Compare Foods in Charlotte and Chairman of Aurora Grocery Group.  CONNECT is a mini-conference for Belk College Black and Latinx students, alumni, and Charlotte professionals.  The event includes lunch, breakout professional development sessions, networking, and scholarship presentations.

When: Friday, March 17, 2023, Noon - 4:30 p.m.

Where: Popp Martin Student Union Third-Floor Salons

 

 

 

 

 

Laila Terry | Tips for Making Friends on Campus

 

Tips for Making Friends on Campus

Peer Guide: Laila Terry

1. Go to Orientation

Whether you’re attending a large university with several orientation groups throughout the summer, or a smaller college with an orientation week before classes begin, go and make the most ofit.

2. Living Learning Communities (LLCs)

If you’re worried about finding people that have similar interests to you to hang out with, maybe a LLC is the place for you.

3. First-Year Seminars/Courses in Common

Some colleges and universities require students to enroll in a first-year seminar. These are usually writing-intensive courses and may count towards a general education requirement.

4. Join a Club

If you’re looking for a ready-made friend group on campus, the most logical thing to do is to join a club. After being in class all day and working on homework during downtime, you’re going to need something fun to do!

Laila Terry | Peer Guide Mentorship Program + 7 Tips for Networking Success

 

PEER GUIDE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

 

The Peer Guide Mentorship Program provides individual professional development support to students by connecting participants with a Peer Guide. Peer Guides are encouraging new undergraduate business students who are interested in receiving individual career support and guidance to apply to the Peer Guide Mentorship Program for the Fall 2023 semester. Peer Guides are striving to connect with new students, especially underrepresented students (students of color, first-generation, low socioeconomic status). Each Peer Guide Mentor discusses career resources and shares their own experiences with navigating internships, career exploration, networking, and getting involved on campus. The program is a one-semester commitment and is individually designed to support students around their goals.

 

If you are interested in being a mentee, please fill out this link to a qualtrics form to apply for the program.

 

Please contact Brianna Davis at bdavi179@uncc.edu if you have any questions.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

As a participant of the Peer Guide Mentorship Program, you will be able to:

●      Identify the Niblock Student Center competencies.

●      Clarify personal and professional development goals for the 2023-2024 year.

●      Explore career resources and opportunities within the Niblock Student Center

●      Connect with undergraduate business students at events and through the Mentorship Program

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS:

●      Be actively involved and engaged within the program.

●      Meet with your mentor twice per month throughout the semester.

●      Attend at least two professional development events.

●      Complete the professional development plan with your mentor

 

COMPONENTS:

As a participant of the Peer Guide Mentorship Program, you will have the opportunity to participate in:

●      A week-by-week guide to developing core competencies

●      Organized goal setting with your mentor

●      Create a career profile

  

Niblock News Weekly Post - Laila Terry

 

Hello, Business Niners!

Here are some upcoming events and study tips by your Peer Guide Laila Terry!

Events:

1.  1. Professional Development Lunch and Learn

The Belk College of Business Niblock Student Center Professional Development team is hosting a Lunch and Learn on Studying Abroad! This lunch and learn will be a panel-style event including current students, staff, and alumni who have studied abroad. This will take place on January 30th from 3 pm-4 pm in Friday 302 and via zoom.  If you are interested in attending, please register using this link.

 

When: January 30^th from 3 pm – 4pm

Where: Friday Building room 302

Register: Use this link to register

 

W2. Women in Business January Coffee Hour

On Monday, January 30, Women in Business is having their January coffee hour! At Coffee Hours, we learn about a topic from event leadership before participating in small-group discussions about the topic. No advanced knowledge or experience is necessary, and everyone is welcome.

 

When? Monday, January 30^th from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm

Where: Friday Building Room 302

             Register: Use this link to register

  

 

Study Tips

● Pay Attention to Your Syllabus and Online Discussions

● Set a Study Schedule

● Use Tutoring

● Stay Organized and Track Your Progress

● Block Out Distractions and Avoid Procrastination

 PD Quote of the Week: 

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”