Smith MBA students at Launch Weekend February 6th-8th, hosted by the University of Miami
The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business is proud to be a founding member of a newly established Global Business Consulting (GBC) consortium. The GBC consortia member business schools are the University of Maryland, the University of Miami, San Diego State University, and George Washington University. GBC will provide global consulting opportunities for Smith students and support the mission behind the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER), which is to foster international understanding and enhance the ability of American businesses to prosper in the world economy.
The first Smith MBA students to be selected for GBC projects in 2015 are Arian Stevens, Sanjay Srikantiah, and Abigail Malchow. These students were selected by the CIBER GBC committee through a highly competitive application process and will be participating in international consulting projects this year. Arian, Sanjay, and Abigail were matched with their clients based on their interests, work experience and specific skill sets. Each student will join a team of 5-6 students from GBC consortia member business schools and will participate in a for-credit, action-based consulting experience for highly respected global companies.
Smith MBA students selected for GBC projects in 2015
from left to right Sanjay Srikantiah, Abigail Malchow, Arian Stevens
GBC teams will be tasked with providing their clients with fact-based, actionable recommendations that will address an opportunity or challenge faced by the organization. The team will develop an innovative operational plan and make strategic recommendations to solve real business challenges for their global clients.
The students met their teammates and clients in person during GBC Launch Weekend in early February. During Launch Weekend students defined the scope of work with their clients and attended workshops on creating high performing virtual teams and in building cross-cultural competency skills needed for success in international workplace.
Leading up to the on the ground consulting experience, students will work virtually with their team, faculty advisor, and client. Students will then travel abroad in May to conduct additional project research and to give their final presentation to their client. This year, all teams will be traveling to present to high-level executives based in Latin America.
Students participating in GBC projects will gain:
- In-depth, first-hand experience providing consulting services in a foreign country
- Access to global companies that recruit students
- Virtual teaming and cross-cultural communication skills
- Increased competitiveness in today’s job market
The Smith School representative to the GBC consortium is Rebecca Bellinger, Director of the Office of Global Initiatives/CIBER.
GBC projects are open to all full-time and part-time MBA students. For more information please visit the Office of Global Initiatives website. New GBC projects will be announced on the website in late Fall of 2015.
-Lauren Beilin, Program Manager, Office of Global Initiatives
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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.