Experiential / Reality-based Learning / November 12, 2014

Smith Undergrads Visit Alumni in NYC

Each year, undergraduate students at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business travel to New York City to explore potential careers and visit with UMD-Smith alumni. 

This year, nearly 200 students and 10 faculty/staff chaperones made the trip, Oct. 23-24, 2014. Students from all years and majors were represented and divided into different tracks for the trip: accounting; consulting; entrepreneurship; marketing; design; entertainment; and Business, Society, and the Economy Scholars. 

“We have been planning this trip since May,” said Zoddy Imoisili, a senior supply chain management and marketing double major and vice president of events for the Smith Undergraduate Student Association (SUSA). “After changing hotels, adding another track and handling a new job, it was a great feeling that the trip was so successful. We all worked to plan every possible detail we could think of, and fix any foreseeable problems before they happened. This was the largest SUSA New York trip to date and it was almost flawless!” 

Judy Martinez, assistant director of undergraduate career programming in Smith’s Office of Career Services (OCS), praised the coordination efforts of SUSA, OCS, Smith’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations, faculty and staff partners, campus partners, NYC alumni and an engaged student body. 

“This was an excellent experiential learning opportunity for our Smith Terps,” said Martinez. “I am especially proud of the multifaceted collaborations that helped make this SUSA NYC trip so successful. It was possible because of people like our alumni and engaged employers who were so generous in opening their doors to us so Smith Terps could learn from them. I’m looking forward to debriefing on this experience and seeing how we can continue to grow the positive impact even further.” 

Connecting Students & Alumni

During the experience, Smith Terps attended an alumni networking event and visited companies, allowing them to explore different industries, professions and company cultures. 

“Never underestimate the value of experience; it is one of the best ways to increase your net worth. Maryland pride will never dissipate, so always reach out to alumni,” said Luke Makris, a sophomore at Smith. 

“My favorite part about the New York trip was the presentation by each company because it was tailored just for our interests and where we’re from,” said Michelle He, a sophomore marketing and finance major (consulting track). “Being separated by track was also nice because I was able to meet and connect to more students with similar interests as me.” 

Many of the alumni hosts participate in the program each year. Etim Edim, MBA ’05, has been part of the program for the past five years, as well as similar trips for MBA students. 

Edim organized an open forum panel at Credit Suisse where students could ask questions of seven UMD-Smith alumni. “First and foremost in my mind, the students see that it is possible to attend UMD and land a job in one of the biggest investment banks in the world. You don't have to be from Harvard or Wharton or Columbia, etc. ...” he said. “I think that sticks in their minds. Apart from that, we try to give them a sense as to what it’s like working at the bank. What's our day-to-day like?  What does it takes to be successful – and of course we try to mix in a bit of fun as well.” 

The Smith School has nearly 60,000 alumni and making connections between students and alumni is often the key to a successful and rewarding career. 

“I really enjoy hosting the students and helping out as much as I can,” added Edim. “I remember being in their shoes. I wouldn't have gotten to where I am now if not for alumni help and support. So I try to return the favor and pay it forward.” 

Want to find out more about our undergraduate program at Smith? Visit www.rhsmith.umd.edu/undergrad

Are you a Smith Terp alum looking to get involved? Visit www.smithconnector.com for volunteer opportunities or www.hiresmith.com to recruit at Smith. 

Thank you to the companies and UMD-Smith alumni hosts: 

Accounting
KPMG, Anchin Block & Anchin, MSG

Consulting
Deloitte, McGladrey

Design
SmartDesign, Carat, Wall Street Journal

Entertainment
CBS, Universal Music Group, NBC

Entrepreneurship
Outbrain, Samsung Innovation Center, Bain Capital Ventures

Finance
Evercore Partners, Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs

Marketing
Pepsi, Civic Entertainment Group, Unilever

College Park Scholars, Business, Society, and the Economy (CPS BSE)
Evercore, Google, IDEO, Goldman Sachs 

View photo gallery on Facebook.

Alissa Arford, Office of Marketing Communications

Media Contact

Greg Muraski
Media Relations Manager
301-405-5283  
301-892-0973 Mobile
gmuraski@umd.edu 

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and flex MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, business master’s, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

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