Women in Business Spring Retreat Applications Open

 

Applications are now open for the Women in Business Spring Retreat 2022. 

We will be here in Charlotte from January 28- 29, 2022. 

We will have over a day and a half of learning, camaraderie, and applying current and newly acquired skills!

On Friday, we’ll participate in Venture Outdoor Leadership and have dinner and fun at Top Golf. On Saturday, we will learn about communicating with confidence, self-talk, implicit bias, and applying leadership skills to the workplace. We will also participate in a structured painting activity. All activities, lunch and dinner Friday, and breakfast and lunch Saturday will be included for participants in this free event! Space is limited, so apply today. Applications will close on January 19, 2022. 

Apply Here

The Peer Guides celebrated the end of the Fall 2021 semester!

 

This semester, the Peer Guides Guides attended professional development events within the

Niblock Student Center, hosted Peer Talks to connect with students in small groups, and

served as a mentor to new Belk College students. Great work Peer Guides!

If you are interested in connecting with the Peer Guides, you can meet them at upcoming events within the Niblock Student Center in Spring 2022. Stay tuned for more updates!

December 2021 Graduates- Congratulations!

December 2021 Graduates- Congratulations from the Undergraduate Programs team in the Niblock Student Center! We're proud of you and excited for you to join the Niner Alumni network! 

Make the Most of your Winter Break!

By: Peer Advisors-- Aleksandr and Courtney

Congratulations Business Niners! You made it to the end of the Fall 2021 semester! Now as we move into a couple well deserved weeks off, here are some tips on how to maximize your time during Winter Break

Spend some time outdoors! If you’re spending your break by staying in North Carolina, take a quick drive to the mountains or the beach. From Charlotte, Asheville is a 2 hour drive and there are so many things to do! You can check out the Biltmore Estate with all of the Christmas lights or take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. If the beach is more your style, Wilmington is 3 and a half hours away and there are plenty of great beaches and a fun downtown area. Lastly, if you’re not a fan of driving, you can take the light rail from campus to Uptown and check out Romare Bearden Park.

There are some other fun things to do in Charlotte during the break. The US National Whitewater Center has an ice rink and you can skate and buy hot chocolate. You can also check out the Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway through January 16th. If you’re looking for an opportunity to give back to the community over break, you can volunteer to help clean up the Charlotte Rail Trail on December 18th.

The US National Whitewater Center’s Ice Skating Rink

Next, the time off allows a good reset to prepare for the Spring semester. Be sure to return those Fall semester textbooks you rented and declutter your backpack and workspaces! It’s always a great idea to make sure you are organized and ready to go for the next semester. If you’re feeling ambitious and looking for other ways to advance your educational and career goals, you can spend time ensuring that your LinkedIn profile is up to date. You can also check out some courses on Coursera, they offer a couple of certificate classes that only last a few weeks and you get one course for free as a college student.

If you’re feeling like self-care is your number one priority going into the break, there are lots of great options. You could take some time to do a holiday movie marathon or watch your favorite movie. There are lots of great books that you can check out from Atkins Library to take home with you over the break. There also will be free massages in the Student Union on December 9th, 10th, 13th, 14th, and 15th. UREC will also be open if you want to spend some time getting some exercise. Check out their hours here!

Other ways to maximize your Winter Break is through spending time with family and friends. There are numerous festive activities here in Charlotte to try out if you are still in the area during break. Here in Charlotte there is WinterFest at Carowinds, the Holidays at the Garden, and the Lake Norman Christmas Lights Boat Parade just to name a few.

The WinterFest at Carowinds is open now until January 2nd and this is where you, your family, and friends can see Christmas lights, ride some of your favorite rides, and experience some Christmas treats on account of Carowinds’ holiday menu. At the Holidays at the Garden you get to see the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden transform into a Winter wonderland. The garden is decorated with numerous Christmas lights, has marshmallow roasts, and a holiday shop as well in case you need to do some last minute gift shopping. At the Lake Norman Christmas Lights Boat Parade boats are decorated with lights and travel on the water from Blythe Landing to Ramsey Creek Park to Duke Energy Explorium for everyone to enjoy on a lake front.

Besides some relaxation and spending time with family and friends, another way to make the best of your Winter Break is to look at scholarship opportunities. UNCC’s Scholarship Portal has been open since the beginning of November and there are numerous scholarships to apply for that you are qualified for! You can take advantage of this opportunity by logging into your UNCC Portal and logging into the scholarship portal or by utilizing this link: UNCC Scholarship Portal . Most scholarships are due in the spring semester but there are a few due in December. By looking and applying for scholarships now you will be ahead and will be able to get in some references and letters of recommendations if needed.

Also if you have not already, remember to submit your FAFSA before the deadline of January 1st! By doing this you will be able to get an early estimate along with grants from both the school and federal government. If you need any assistance or questions in regards to your FASFA application you can visit the Niner Central website: Niner Central or the FASFA website.

Overall remember to enjoy your Winter Break and to stay safe and warm! Happy Holidays!  

Q&A With Our Fellow Business Niners

 Hello BCOB Niners!

It is your Peer Guide, Kiy Roberts, here with feedback from an exciting Q&A with our fellow Business Niner Bailey Harris.

Name: Bailey Harris

Current Status: Senior

Major: Marketing Analytics

Q: "What is your favorite experience here at UNC Charlotte?

A: My favorite experience here at UNC Charlotte would have to be the first day of school for the Fall 2021 semester. Being back on campus after a painful year and a half of being away was an amazing feeling and it felt so good to know I was finally back at home at UNC Charlotte furthering my education and myself.

 

Q: Where is your favorite place to study on campus?

A: I have two favorite places to study on campus and typically it depends on my mood but the Reading Room in the Friday building and the tables behind Friday are where I can focus and complete the most work. 

The Reading Room is very quiet and has comfortable seating and a few computers, you guys may have to go check it out! 

Q:What piece of advice would you give to a student wanting to become more involved?

A: In order for college to be a fun, engaging, and growth filled time you have to push yourself to get out of your comfort zone. Go meet new people and try new things because ultimately while you are having these new experiences and meeting new people, you are finding yourself as well. 

We can all probably agree that most of our growth takes place outside of our comfort zone so we encourage the entire Belk college community to take that next step to do something that may seem difficult now but you will be proud of in the next few months!

 

Bailey Harris UNC Charlotte ‘21

If you would  like to ask a Peer Guide a specific question, you can submit a request here.

 

Thank you and we hope you enjoyed this week’s Q&A with our fellow Business Niners!

Top Places to Study on Campus

By: Amy Kidder, Senior Peer Advisor

As Finals draw near, you may be starting to think about your study plan. Planning what you need to study and when. But, have you considered where you are going to study?

The environment that you study in can impact how productive you are. In general it’s a good idea to find someplace where you won’t get distracted. Keep in mind the following:

• Find someplace quiet 
• With minimal distractions
• Good lighting
• Enough space to spread out notes
• Have a snack and water nearby
  
• Bring all the school supplies you may need
• Bring earplugs if necessary

If you are looking for some options to study on campus, here are a few of my favorite locations:

Library - This is probably the most obvious location, so I thought I’d mention it first. There are several places in the library that are perfect for all studying options. If you want to study in a group, the first four floors in the library are my favorite. There are a lot of tables with access to computers if needed as well. There are also spaces to study in groups on almost all the floors in the library. There are also study rooms available to reserve for a group on the ground and first floor. You can reserve a room by going to the Library website and entering the information for the type of room you are looking for. These rooms often have computers or whiteboards and can fit different sizes of groups. If you prefer to study alone, you can sit at any of the tables on any floor. If you are looking to make sure it won’t be too noisy, try to fit a “quiet zone” in these spaces, people shouldn't be talking. They even have a section with exercise equipment if you want to fit in a workout with your studying. One of my favorite places in the library is the tenth floor. Here there are a few places to sit and study and there is also an amazing view of campus and the city of Charlotte.

Student Union - The student Union has a variety of locations to study. Along the main staircase, there are chairs to sit by yourself or with a friend on each floor. There is also a great space with tables and booths towards the back of the union near Wendy’s.

Fretwell - On the first floor of Fretwell there are chairs and cubicles to study in. There is also a great study space in the back of Fretwell in the location where Peet’s Coffee used to be. It looks like there should be a new coffee shop opening soon there!

CHHS- If you haven’t had classes in this building or walked through it on your was to the Union or Library, then you may not be familiar with it. It is one of the two buildings directly in front of the Student Union. They have several classrooms as well as offices for Education Abroad and International Students. There are also some great study locations for groups or individuals studying on the first and second floors.

Prospector - Not only can you grab lunch between classes at this location across from the Friday building, but you can also find a place to study. The upper and lower levels of Prospector both have seating available. I like the section of upper Prospector where Salsaritas is because it usually has great lighting. However, it may be quieter on the lower level near the Mail and Package services.

McEniry- If you haven’t had  classes in this building you probably haven’t walked through it even though it is right next to Friday. However, they have a great recently renovated lobby area with good seating options for studying. I find that the quietest time in this location is in the evening after most of the daytime classes are over.

Cone - You can get Panda, Subway, and study in this location. It can be good for studying in groups as sometimes it may get a little noisy. There are plenty of tables available if you go past the restaurants and into the larger room of Cone. Just be sure to check that there isn’t any kind of meeting or event going on before you enter.

SoVi - Sovi has some great locations to study on the top floor. During winter, I love sitting next to the fireplace and in the warmer months you can sit outside and look at the great view.

Hopefully you can find the time to try out a new study spot this semester. Good luck preparing for finals!

Food Insecurity Among College Students

By: Taylor Gantt & Mallory Dewhurst (American Marketing Association)

Everyone has heard of the saying, “broke college student”, and many say it as a joke. However, college expenses continue to rise, and college students nationwide are dealing with the reality of balancing classes, full-or-part time jobs, internships, extracurriculars, and more in order to succeed. This amount of responsibility, however, leaves college students wondering; “Where is my next meal coming from?” and “Do I have any money to spend on food today?” 

The phrase “broke college student” is not something to laugh about, especially when considering the health and wellbeing of students who are unable to afford basic necessities, such as food.

In this blog post, the American Marketing Association at UNC Charlotte will explore different resources that college students can utilize if they are dealing with food insecurity. We will also showcase a recipe book written by AMA members with ideas for easy, affordable recipes.

What Is Food Insecurity?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Unfortunately, many students lack the resources for reliable food sources. 

Food scarcity and insecurity is rising amongst college students, and in fact, one in three college students experience food insecurity. It is something that needs to be addressed. The article, “College Student Hunger Statistics and Research”, from Feeding America states; 

    “College students are entering school later than students in the past: the average age at first enrollment is 21, and the overall average age of students is 26. As such, many college students are balancing schoolwork with parenting, with 22% of students caring for child dependents and 14% doing so as single parents. Overall, the share of college students with low household incomes has increased, and when these factors are combined with the rising cost of education, many students are struggling to make ends meet.”

This is difficult to think about, because when students are unable to take care of their needs financially, food is often the last priority, thus resulting in food scarcity and insecurity. Research and surveys today show that certain students are affected more than others; “one of the survey’s most troubling findings is that students of color- especially Black students, Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian students, and Indigenous students- are being disproportionately affected.”(Dedman)

Why is food insecurity so high among college students?

• Poverty, unemployment/under-employment, and inconsistent access to healthy food.
• Students who can not rely on the help of family members.
• Tuition and college expenses continue to rise, leaving little wiggle room.

Because the rate of food insecurity among college students is on the rise, the AMA chapter at UNC Charlotte composed an easy, affordable recipe book that includes meals that are low ingredient, low cost, and accessible to make. 

Easy, Affordable Recipe Book

Breakfast- Avocado Egg Fried Bagel

Lunch- Sweet Potato Quinoa

Dinner- Chicken Pesto Pasta

Dessert- No Bake Oreo Cheesecake

Snack- Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Granola Bites

*Click here to access the recipe book.

Resources at UNC Charlotte and the Community

Niner Pantry

UNC Charlotte Dining Services- Dining Eatwell- Teaching Kitchen

Swipe Out Hunger Program at UNC Charlotte

Apply for the Student Emergency Fund

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Health Department

Feeding Charlotte

The Harvest Center

For a full list of book banks in Charlotte, visit this article by CLTURE

Contact the Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) center on campus by calling 704-687-0289 or by sending an email to studentsupport@uncc.edu. You can also visit the website here.

Food insecurity affects many college students, and the American Marketing Association at UNC Charlotte hopes to bring awareness to food insecurity among college students by providing a recipe book with easy, affordable recipes and by hosting a food drive on campus. Bins will be set up on the 1st floor of Friday from Monday, November 15th until Friday, November 19th-- please donate if you are able!

If you are struggling with food insecurity, know that you are not alone. Utilize campus resources and resources in the community.

References

https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/definitions-of-food-security.aspx

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/college-students-food-insecurity/

https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/food-insecurity#:~:text=Part%20of%20what%20makes%20food,food%20%E2%80%94%20are%20often%20deeply%20interconnected.

https://centralrecorder.org/67096/news/the-broke-college-student-joke-is-a-starving-college-student-reality/

(https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/college-food-insecurity-support/)

Use Job Descriptions to Stand Out in Your Job Search- Here's How!

Pro Tip: A job description is a treasure trove of information that can help you in your application and interview process. Job descriptions can help you personalize your resume and cover letter so that you stand out more easily to those reading those application documents and also help you prepare for the types of questions you may be asked in the interview stage.

Below is a quick video that can show you how to use a job description to your advantage in the job search process:

You can find videos like this and other resources on our Canvas page for undergraduate business students. These are valuable resources you can access 24/7. Register for the course here!

Career Center's "Alumni Takeover Week"

Alumni are "taking over" the Career Center! Join the Career Center November 16-18 for a variety of alumni-led professional development panels. Learn more and register at the links below.

How to Network with Alumni

Tuesday, November 16: 12:00-1:00 pm

How to Start Your Own Business

Tuesday, November 16: 4:00-5:00 pm

How to Network with Alumni

Wednesday, November 17: 12:00-1:00 pm

Life After College

Wednesday, November 17: 4:00-5:00 pm

Interviewing from an Alumni Perspective

Thursday, November 18: 12:00-1:00 pm

Life After College

Thursday, November 18: 4:00-5:00 pm

Maximizing Your Internship Experience

 As you are solidifying your plans for the Spring 2022 semester, consider completing an internship. Internships are a great way to apply concepts you are learning in the classroom to a real-world work environment, build your professional network, and gain professional experience and skills. 

Below is a quick video of tips on how to maximize your internship experience. 

Have you received an internship offer and would like to receive academic credit for this internship? Visit the internship for academic credit page to learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Diversity & Inclusion Consortium Event with Bank of America

Read below for more information about an event designed for first and second-year students with Bank of America. Register here if you are interested by November 11. 

Registration Tips and Tricks

By: Christian Ray, Peer Advisor

It is hard to believe that we are over 10 weeks into the semester, yet here we are! With all of the joy (or stress) that may come around this time of the year, students have the added responsibility of registering for the next semester. While this responsibility may feel overwhelming, it does not have to be. Moreover, by planning ahead on your registration, you can set yourself up for success.

As a student myself, I am well aware of the obstacles that students encounter when registering for classes. This is why I believe the most important step in registering for classes is to select your classes ahead of time. Registration for Spring 2022 opens on November 1st at 9:00 AM. While the earliest available registration time could be later for a student depending on their number of hours earned or priority status, students should be ready to register as soon as possible. For more information about registration times, click here. Students should have all courses and sections planned out several days before this. If you need to speak to an advisor or a peer advisor, such as myself, do it now. Do not wait until the last minute. See information here for scheduling an appointment or visiting during drop ins.

The second most important tip is to make sure you are registering for the courses you need to be in. If you are a freshman going into your second semester, you should typically be working towards your writing, math, and science courses. In particular, pre-requisite courses, such as MATH-1120 or STAT-1220 should be prioritized. For more information on this, students should consult Degreeworks as well as their advisor.

Finally, students should be plan on contingencies (such as if the desired class is full by the time of registration). The best way to plan for this is to have a handful of backup courses to take in the event that a desired course is unavailable. Another thing I encourage students to consider is waitlisting. If a course is full, students may usually join a waitlist in the event that a seat opens up. In my experience, I have been very lucky with waitlists, though your mileage may vary.

Lastly, as an honorable mention, make sure to look at the meeting times of courses before you register for them. Most courses have a handful of sections offered at different times and this gives students flexibility to decide what days and times they will need to be in the classroom. I encourage students to use this to their advantage.

Schedule Wizard: One Tool for Course Planning

By: Amy Kidder, Senior Peer Advisor

Registration begins November 1st... have you planned what classes you want to take next semester?

There are several ways to plan your schedule. You may have set up an appointment with a Peer Advisor or Academic and Career Coach, attended Freshman Group Advising, or have just looked through classes on Banner and the Course Catalog. There is no wrong way to plan as long as you get the classes you need and have back up options. 

Another way to help plan your schedule for next semester is by using Schedule Wizard. Schedule Wizard can be accessed through your my.charlotte.edu homepage. It is one of the many useful icons located there on the right-hand side.

Schedule Wizard allows students to visualize their schedule by creating options from the courses you have selected and incorporating other scheduled events like work or an internship. It can also be a helpful tool if you already know the main courses you want to take and are looking for some non-business electives or other classes to fill in the gaps. Schedule Wizard can let you search for classes, read a description, and see the various professors and times it is available. 

To use Schedule Wizard:

• Click on the Schedule Wizard icon on your student homepage. 
• Select the term (Spring 2022) that you would like to create a schedule for. 
• Click “Add Course” Here you can use the drop down menus to find the classes you are interested in.
• Click “Add course” again at the bottom corner and “go back to generate schedules”. 
• Now when you click “generate schedules” you should see a list of possible options with the courses you’ve selected. 

You can click through and even compare two schedules at a time. If you find a specific time slot for one course you can lock it into place. Remember to click “generate schedules” each time you make a change to see the updated options. If you find a schedule you love, save it as a favorite. Now you can have all the CRN numbers ready for the courses you want to register for.

Disclaimer: Schedule Wizard is not recommended as a way to register for classes, simply use it as a tool to help you visualize and plan your semester. 

Commercial Real Estate Virtual Internship- Spring 2022

Project Destined (see CNBC feature here) is offering a paid, Commercial Real Estate Virtual Internship Opportunity in Spring 2022. The virtual internship is available to students from all academic majors and ranging from freshman to senior classification.   Project Destined, founded by a former Carlyle Group executive, has partnered with 100+ leading real estate firms and 70+ universities around the country to provide diverse students with internship opportunities to explore ownership through live real estate deals. The 8-week Paid, Virtual Internship Program will launch in 25 U.S. and International markets in February 2022 with an incredible group of partners including Wells Fargo, JLL, Greystar, Hines, Eastdil Secured, Brookfield Properties, PGIM Real Estate, among others.   As part of the program, interns will work 4 to 6 hours per week including real estate training, a bi-weekly Executive Speaker Series, and competing with students from 60+ universities in “Shark Tank” style live deal pitch competitions.   Students will have the opportunity to: · Get partnered with one of the 60+ Sponsoring Companies · Get access to our network of over 450+ corporate mentors in leading firms. · Earn a stipend of $500 and a chance to win an additional $1,000 from weekly competitions  Please sign up here to join an Open House and learn more. Candidates can also apply here.

Connecting with Faculty

By: Christian Ray, Peer Advisor

Are you considering applying for any internships or leadership positions over the next six months? What about scholarships or honors? Even if you answered no to some or all of these, connecting with faculty is still a great thing to do. There are opportunities available which professors and faculty can help guide you towards that you may not even realize exist.

In my experience transitioning from dual-enrollment with a community college to enrollment at a four-year university, connecting with faculty has been a major help. I have been fortunate enough to have teachers write scholarship letters and references for me. These references and letters have played a major role in helping me get to where I am today.

While, admittedly, it can be more challenging to connect with faculty at a bigger school- especially during the pandemic- the opportunities are available if you are willing to put in a little extra effort. There are a variety of ways to connect with faculty, but the most important in my opinion is to be an excellent student. This does not mean making perfect grades, necessarily, but rather, engaging with your professors and learning from them.

Some “best practices” that we recommend to students attending our “Peer Connections for Success” sessions include participating in class, demonstrating respect towards your professors/faculty, asking questions, and attending office hours. Additionally, you might consider practicing some occasional small-talk with your professors either before or after class. Overall, think of connecting with faculty similarly to how you think about networking with recruiters. While you are never guaranteed an opportunity or reference from your professors, your odds will increase substantially if you go the extra mile of getting to know them.

After all, your faculty want to help you succeed as much as possible! However, it can be difficult to recommend or write a reference for a student when you do not know them very well.

Keep in mind, however, that references are certainly not the only reason to get to know your professors or staff within the university. These individuals are often highly experienced and well-connected in a variety of fields. Maybe you are trying to learn more about different career options or working for different companies. Or, perhaps you need wisdom on how to approach a research project. Or, maybe you are just looking for an advisor to help oversee your student organization. These are all areas where having a good relationship with your professors can be beneficial.

If you are still not sure exactly where to begin connecting with faculty, that is okay. The best place to start is simply getting to know your faculty and being ready and willing to learn from them whenever they have something to share. At the end of the day, keep in mind that the faculty members at Charlotte want to see you succeed and they are happy to help you along the way! In many cases, all you have to do is ask!

Belk College of Business Student Organizations

Looking to get involved on campus specifically within the Belk College of Business? Want to meet new people and learn new things? Then you are in the right place!

My name is Bailey Harris and I am a Senior Peer Advisor for the Niblock Student Center. I HIGHLY recommend all business students to get involved on campus and meet new people but especially within the student organizations in the Belk College.

The Belk College of Business supports 16 student organizations. Click on the link here to watch a video about each student group and see the faculty/student contact information. You can also click the link below for group information through Niner Engage, UNC Charlottes student organization database which provides information on the hundreds of student groups you could join!  

Actuarial Science Program: for those interested in actuarial science. The actuarial science profession makes use of a person’s knowledge of math, economics, finance and risk theory in the business world

Alpha Kappa Psi: Co-Ed Professional Business Fraternity where members participate in things like professional speakers, team building events, intramural sports, and leadership training seminars.  http://www.charlotteakpsi.com

American Marketing Association (AMA): Nationally affiliated with AMA, all majors welcome where members have access to workshops, AMA certifications, speakers, and even panel discussions. We spend time with our community and build relationships with our members through community service and social outings. 

Association of Information Systems (AIS): formed for the purpose of promoting the study and utilization of information systems through programs of professional development, social networking, and community development. 

Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA): The Association of Latino Professionals is geared towards all professions, not only for the financial and accounting fields. 

Beta Alpha Psi (BAP): Beta Alpha Psi is an honorary organization for Financial Information students and professionals.  Our weekly meetings involve a variety of professionals presenting on an assortment of topics.

ENACTUS: an international non-profit organization that brings together student, academic and business leaders who are committed to using the power of entrepreneurial action to improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need 

Future Leaders of Accounting (FLA) - UNC Charlotte Chapter:   an organization for accounting and finance majors of all classifications. Weekly speakers provide opportunities for self-development and association among members and practicing business professionals.

Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS): an international professional development organization with a focus on insurance, risk management and actuarial science open to all majors.  Provides many professional development opportunities and group/individual coaching for career goals.  

Global Business Brigades: spend the year fundraising in order to collect $1,500 dollars to give to the community-owned bank in the area where we decide to take the brigade. On the brigade we provide financial planning workshops in order to increase financial literacy around a culture of savings and borrowing while helping banks to increase membership, improve operations, and identify lower risk borrowers. 

Intersections UNCC:  a branch of IntersectionsCharlotte, which is an organization founded by Bank of America employees that meets to listen to speakers talk about how they integrate their faith into their occupation.  We invite people from all professions and majors to connect with God and the professional community by intersecting Church Street, Wall Street and College Street. 

Management Consulting Club:  provides students with the resources, knowledge, opportunities and experience to better prepare members for a successful career in management consulting. https:www.unccmcc.com

National Association of Black Accountants (NABA): Founded in 1969, NABA has served as a network for professionals for nearly 50 years. Our chapter strives to encourage scholarship, leadership, and financial education while establishing essential connections for our undergraduate members.

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - UNC Charlotte Chapter:  nationally affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management. SHRM is the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management, representing more than 210,000 individual members. SHRM is a premier HR organization that offers guidance, information, and access to an intimate, private network of HR professionals and specialists. 

Real Estate Club: focuses on preparing students to understand the different careers in real estate and the investment strategies to generate wealth. . Our bi-weekly meetings consist of local real estate professionals who help our members better understand the business they work in and how they achieved the success they have had. 

Sports Analytics Club: Learn about sports analytics and apply what we’ve learned into real-world scenarios. We are currently partnered with the UNCC baseball and football team collecting, analyzing, and presenting data. 

By joining an organization(s) you create a world of diverse opportunities for your professional and personal life! Below are some benefits to being involved:

• Networking (Professional & Personal) 
• Deepened Knowledge of Areas of Business 
• Growth in Public Speaking Skills 
• Job & Internship Opportunities

All of these organizations are amazing ways to get to know new people and opportunities. Try something out of your comfort zone! Don’t be scared to get involved and take advantage of the different student organizations available to you here in the Belk College! 

Have you considered Studying Abroad? You Should!

By: Aleksandr Wittemann, Belk College of Business Peer Advisor

Studying abroad is one of the most unique and intriguing opportunities in college. You can travel to a different country, live like a local, and spend a semester studying in a completely new environment. It can be intimidating at times to navigate the process, but this blog post will share some helpful tips and ways you can learn a bit more about studying abroad.

Some background information about me and my experience: I am a study abroad alumni and a study abroad ambassador with the Office of Education Abroad (OEA) at UNC Charlotte. I studied abroad in Spring of 2020 in Madrid, Spain at La Universidad de Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M). I studied abroad through an affiliate provider, International Studies Abroad or ISA. Sadly, my study abroad experience was cut short due to the pandemic, but I was able to spend a little more than 2 months exploring Spain, making lifelong friends and eating lots of good food! 

What are some reasons to Study Abroad?

• See the world in a new way
• Gain valuable resume experience
• Learn about different cultures and meet new people
• Make new friends and connections
• Have fun!

Keep reading for some frequently asked questions!!

How do I find out more information about study abroad? You can click here and complete Study Abroad 101. Study Abroad 101 is a free, non-credit Canvas course where you will complete modules that answer questions about program options, how to finance study abroad, academic credit transfer, housing abroad, and how to succeed studying abroad!

What kind of housing is available abroad? It will largely depend on your program. Most programs offer student housing (dorms), homestays (living with a local family), or you can arrange your own housing. 

How do I get academic credit for studying abroad? For traditional programs, before you go abroad, the OEA will provide you a “course equivalency form” where you will need to get equivalency approval from different departments on campus. You can do this by printing the syllabi from your courses abroad and giving it to the department attached to your course equivalency form. 

When should I study abroad? It is recommended for most students that the study abroad their sophomore or junior year. Students cannot study abroad their last semester at Charlotte, unless it is a faculty led experience.

Where is the bet place to study abroad?  That is up to you! There is no wrong answer to this question. When trying to find a place to study abroad, you should consider the language, culture, academics, and financial implications.

Do I need to speak a foreign language? Not at all! Thankfully, we live in a world where modern technology is everywhere – meaning translation apps! It can be helpful to know a few words and to put some effort into learning the language but that also happens simply by living there!

The BCOB sponsors several faculty led Study Abroad Experiences during Spring Break and the summer. Check out those experiences here.

Only 11% of students throughout the United States take advantage of study abroad. This is a great opportunity to develop some new skills and help your resume stand out to employers. 

I hope that these are some helpful tips for starting your study abroad experience! If you have more questions, you can reach out to the Office of Education Abroad or you can send me an email!

Listen Up Accounting and Finance Majors! There’s a new ACCT course you should know about!

 A new course has been created for the 2021-2022 Academic Year. This course is ACCT 3323 - Intermediate Accounting I and it has BIG implications for Belk College Students.

TLDR: If you plan to major in Accounting or Finance and have not completed ACCT 2122, you should take ACCT 3323 instead of ACCT 2122.

ACCT 3323 is designed to better prepare students in Accounting and Finance majors for their upper level coursework and will now be required for those majors. The course will fulfill similar requirements as ACCT 3311 (which is being phased out), but will also take the place of ACCT 2122 in some Progression GPA calculations. 

Which Accounting course needed is dependent on your intended major as well as your catalog year. Here is the general breakdown:

• Students planning to major in something other than Accounting or Finance should take the following sequence: ACCT 2121 -> ACCT 2122. 

• Students planning to major in Accounting or Finance should take the following sequence: ACCT 2121 -> ACCT 3323.  

• One exception - Students planning to major in Finance who are Pre-Business and have a catalog year of 2020-2021 or prior, may not be required to take ACCT 3323. We recommend speaking with your Academic and Career Coach to see if ACCT 3323 is right for you and your career goals.

FAQS:

• What if I take ACCT 3323 instead of ACCT 2122 and then decide not to major in Accounting or Finance?

• If you earn a C or above in ACCT 3323, you do not need to take ACCT 2122 in order to move forward in your major of choice.  ACCT 3323 will be used for the Progression GPA calculation and, if meeting all declaration requirements, you will be able to declare any Belk College of Business major. 

• What if I take ACCT 2122 and then decide to change my major to Accounting or Finance?

• If you have completed all of the progression by the time you complete ACCT 2122 you will be eligible to declare your upper-division major and then take ACCT 3323. If you take ACCT 2122 and ACCT 3233 before completing progression, both grades will be calculated in your progression GPA.

• If I took ACCT 2122 in a previous semester and want to be an Accounting major, do I now need to take ACCT 3323?

• If you have completed ACCT 3311, you do not need to take ACCT 3323. If you have not completed ACCT 3311, ACCT 3323 is required.

• If I took ACCT 2122 in a previous semester and want to be a Finance major, do I now need to take ACCT 3323?

• ACCT 3323 is recommended for all Finance majors, unless they have completed ACCT 3311. 

• If your concentration is Finance/Accounting, and you have not completed ACCT 3311, you need to take ACCT 3323. 

• If you have selected Finance or Risk, Management and Insurance as your concentration and your catalog year is 2021-22 or later, you need to take ACCT 3323. 

• If you have selected a concentration other than Finance/Accounting and your catalog year is 2020-21 or earlier, you are not required to take ACCT 3323. You should consult your Degree Works audit and speak with your Academic and Career Coach if you have any questions.

• What if DegreeWorks is showing that I need ACCT 3311?

• ACCT 3311 will only be offered in Spring 2022 for students who have already taken the course but not earned a satisfactory grade. So if you need ACCT 3311 on your DegreeWorks audit and you haven’t attempted it yet, you need to register for ACCT 3323. 

• What if DegreeWorks is showing that I need ACCT 3312?

• ACCT 3312 will be offered in Spring 2022. Students who have already taken ACCT 3311 will continue onto ACCT 3312 in Spring 2022 instead of ACCT 3323. 

• Where can I find my current catalog year?

• The easiest place to find your current catalog year is on DegreeWorks. Looking at the first block of requirements on your audit, the Catalog Year, Overall GPA, Credits Required, and Credits Applied are all listed at the top right.
  

• Can I change my catalog year?

• Yes, a student may petition to move forward to another catalog year, but not to earlier years.