Welcome First Year Belk College MBA Orientation

Last weekend, The Westin Hotel in Uptown Charlotte hosted the Belk College of Business Graduate School’s orientation. The orientation held about 175 MACC, MBA, MS in Economics, & MS in Mathematical Finance students.

Belk College Orientation @ Westin Hotel

Dr. Kohut, Director of the MBA program, did an excellent job welcoming the group to the MBA Program and the UNC Charlotte's. Afterwards, we were assigned a group case analysis. *surprise* The room was divided into groups of four. Each group was assigned a scenario based on specific yet fictional ethical dilemmas involving UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business. Upon completion of the case, each group answered several follow up questions based on their readings to present to the class. I appreciated the fact that not only did we, the students, have the opportunity to discuss our interpretation of the various scenarios but also several faculty members were assigned scenarios to present their interpretations. This exercise was a good opportunity for us to network with each other and engage is various conversations. The culmination of the evening consisted of a reception yet another networking opportunity to connect with other new students in the various programs, faculty, and staff.

 Venture Challenge Course

For those students in MBAD 6100, we participated in a 2-day orientation in which the second half was a Venture Challenge Course on Saturday Afternoon. This brought back flashbacks (good of course) of my middle/high school years. (Begin Tangent ) Shortly after the beginning of each school term, each grade had a Ropes Course Day. On “Ropes Course” day the students were divided into smaller groups to participate in various low activities. Each activity’s goal was an opportunity for the new students to assimilate with the returning students. Senior year of course was the highlight because that was the year we were able to do the high activities. i.e. zipline. (Complete Tangent)

As you might guess the first activity at the Venture Course was Networking….We are in the Business school. :) During our walk to the course itself, we had the opportunity to network with 3 individuals. Upon reaching our destination, we were divided in groups in which we networked with 8 of our team members and then divided again to our final group.

In the midst of the heat, the group survived 4 activities that were unique in nature. Each activity required everyone’s cooperation and led back to the topic of business. I can honestly say that I had a GREAT group. Everyone in my group contributed, expressed his/her thoughts, and cooperated. (This is the ideal work environment!) We fought through 90+ degree weather, sweat, and miscellaneous bugs in order to accomplish our goals. Just like the tribes participating in an immunity challenge on Survivor . Overall, the two day orientation was a great welcome and beginning to Graduate School Life!

Good Luck to all MBA Candidates!!!

Today is the beginning of my first two years. For two years, I have decided to take a substantial pay cut, move to Charlotte, NC, and begin as a full time student at UNC Charlotte. In today’s economic times why would I pack up and leave Northern Virginia unemployed. One word: Investment. We all hear about investing in stocks, mutual funds, housing (well that’s in question nowadays) etc ; but in order to be able to invest in the above I need a solid education to back me up.

The common question I hear is why did you leave the DC metro area for Charlotte? A) I’ve always loved Charlotte. Charlotte is the second largest financial center in the country and global HQ for several Fortune 500 companies. In addition, it is one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities in the U.S. B). UNC Charlotte is one of the fastest growing schools in the State of North Carolina with STRONG ties to the local business community.  C) cost of living & I-95 DC breaks you down after a while.

After traveling over 300+ miles in a 15ft. truck and lugging my life onto the 4th floor of my new apartment, I’m all geared up for the grad student life. Of course like any student, starting in a new environment , one has jitters which means one thing…zero sleep. Paranoia about oversleeping my alarm and being late on the first day of work was a major concern. For the first time in 10 years, I was able to travel 8 miles on the highway in 15 minutes during rush hour. (If you have ever lived or visited a city, you know this is an accomplishment). So I braved the first hurdle, the next…. Parking. Now being that I am from a city, I was dependent on public transportation. So parking aka the 8x8 that we all fight for in order to be closer to class and to be on time was nerve wracking. I heeded the warning of showing up to campus an hour early. Parking a piece of cake. *Knock on wood*

So far so good…completed the GA position now off to my first class on the Uptown campus.

Spotlight: Rise and Shine! Iconic Center City Building Comes Online

Spotlight: Rise and Shine! Iconic Center City Building Comes Online