Smith MBAs Attend the National Black MBA Association’s 30th Annual Conference & Exposition

It’s not often over 12,000 professionals, industry experts, community leaders, company representatives, and MBA students gather in one place. But at the National Black MBA Association’s (NBMBAA) conference and exposition, it happens every year. Smith first- and second-year MBA students had the opportunity to be a part of one of the nation’s largest development, recruiting, and networking events for black professionals.

“It was an excellent opportunity to network with so many top employers and professionals,” said Malav Patel, full-time MBA Association (MBAA) vice president of career development at Smith. “I think our students represented Smith’s diverse nature and potential for success.”

Featured speakers included Kenneth D. Lewis, chairman, CEO, and president of Bank of America, and Roland Martin, a nationally syndicated columnist. Students had the opportunity to attend a career exposition featuring dozens of employers, including many of the Fortune 500’s brightest stars. Former NBA stars Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were just a few of the career expo’s distinguished guests.

Despite the challenging economic environment, hiring employers sought candidates for MBA internships and full-time positions. Students learned valuable lessons concerning career planning and how to strategize in a competitive job market.

On his conference experience, Thandi Akerele, full-time MBA student and an MBAA and Black MBA Association officer, said:

“My goals were to get a job and network with companies in my industry. I learnt that getting a job is what you want to make of it. In this environment, things are tough. I think that every individual should map out a concise strategy and "attack" from every angle.”

Donna Lin, MBA Candidate 2009, Smith Media Group