In a recent article from The Wall Street Journal, it was reported that a growing number of employers are expecting to hire more business school graduates. Compared to five years ago, in 2009, the number of employers expecting to hire business school graduates has climbed by 30%! While this is certainly good news for those preparing for life after business school, the article also mentions what employers are really looking for when they're searching for that perfect candidate.

Many of us would assume our dream employer would want us, above all else, to be experts in our chosen concentration: know how to find arbitrage and exploit it, how to swiftly thwart a cyber attack, how to build and sustain consumer loyalty, how to evaluate potential acquisitions. However, according to this particular article and many discussions with recruiters and HR managers, employers are in search of more. Of course the technical knowledge is important, but it's the soft skills that scream, "Hire Me! You Need Me!" 

Thankfully, here at the University of Illinois at Chicago Liautaud Graduate School of Business, there is curriculum in place to assist us in gaining and maintaining these crucial soft skills. Improv and Leadership (MBA 590) and Professional Presence (BA 420) have been created to bridge this "soft skills" gap. When asked about The Wall Street Journal article, the creator of this new curriculum, Professor Michael Popowitz said, "The challenge you all will face is that most business interactions are not completely rehearsed, they are to a large measure spontaneous - you show up, you do your best, you learn from others, and from your own mistakes, and hopefully those mistakes are not too big! These courses create a safe laboratory for you to experiment with the elements of your own professional presence."

Whether you are making provisions to complete your first semester or gearing up for your last, I implore you to consider taking Improv and Leadership or Professional Presence. The difference between taking the course and not could very well be the difference between that offer call or that rejection email. 

Favorite Chicago Restaurants: There are so many places to eat in Chicago it is impossible to have a favorite. However, I am always looking for new sushi and pizza places to try.

Tell us a little about your personal/professional background?

I have been working professionally in higher education for the past ten years. Initially I wanted to be a social sciences teacher in order to make a difference in the lives of students. However, I found that working in higher education can be just as awarding and allow me to focus on leadership development with college students.I began my career as an Admissions counselor at Eastern Illinois University, while obtaining my Master of Science degree in College Student Affairs. From there, I have worked for various universities while continuing to progress in my career. I decided to stay in higher education  because I really enjoy helping and empowering others. Education is the key to success and by creating relationships and partnerships I am able to help others reach their goals. This is the most rewarding aspect of my profession. 

How did you end up working at UIC?

When I began looking to take the next step in my career, I wanted to make sure I was moving to an incredible university where I felt that I could make a difference. I felt that UIC Liautaud was a perfect match of both.

What are you most excited to do as the Director of Admissions and Student Enrollment?

UIC Liautaud is a top notch university with amazing faculty and student services. I look forward to spreading the word about a business school that has been a best kept secret in Chicago.

What critical information should students know about?

I would like students to know that I always have their best interests in mind when we meet and I look to work with them on finding the best educational path for their future. Students should feel free to contact me directly at any time.

Kiley Peters

Weekend - MBA Candidate 2015

Concentration(s): Marketing and  Management Information Systems

Industry: Entertainment and Digital Marketing

Undergraduate Degree:Advertising, Broadcast and Electronic Communications, and Marketing

Undergraduate School: Marquette University

Career Goal: Continued growth in leadership, digital marketing and consulting.

Organizations Involved With: Marquette Alumni Association, GMARK, MBAA

Interests/Hobbies: Entertainment, comedy, improv, digital media, digital marketing, cooking, traveling, movies, white wine, FRIENDS TV show (very guilty pleasure)

Favorite Chicago Activities/ Places:Comedy shows, BYOB restaurants and reasonably priced drinks. The Second City, iO, The Public House Theatre, my apartment, Guthrie’s.

Favorite Chicago Restaurants:Filippos, Taste of Asia, Azteca de Oro, Nori Sushi. (Truth is, I have a favorite dish at all of these places and I pretty much get the same thing every time I go there.)

Favorite Part of the Day:Between 10pm and midnight. It’s the only time I ever really have to myself, which is mostly spent working...but I get to light candles and wear pajamas, so that’s a bonus.

Hometown:Menomonee Falls, WI

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tell us about your personal and professional background?

I grew up in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. I graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a dual Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Broadcast and Electronic Communications, and a minor in Marketing. Upon graduation, I traveled to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for a few months and then moved out to San Diego, California to escape the brutal winters of the Midwest. After working for about a year and a half in San Diego, I decided to move back to the Midwest in pursuit of digital marketing. In the almost six years since I’ve been in Chicago, I’ve worked for a search marketing agency, an advertising technology company, fell in love with Chicago comedy and I am currently employed as the Online Marketing Manager at The Second City. All the while I’ve maintained my focus on digital marketing through branding, content creation, online advertising and web analytics.

What prompted you to return to school to achieve your master’s degree?

My father has worked in higher education his entire life, so education has always been important to me. I realized that I didn’t have much of a business background and wanted to ensure my credibility in an advisory and leadership role by obtaining my MBA. I also felt that earning this degree would open up more opportunities for me in the long run and I wanted to do it sooner than later.

What factor(s) did you consider when choosing a master’s program and why did you choose UIC Liautaud for your graduate study?

For me, it was pricing, flexibility, and reputation. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t digging a financial hole that was too deep to dig myself out of. Flexibility was important as my schedule is already fairly unforgiving, so I needed something that would allow me to do everything I wanted. Lastly, I didn’t want to invest in an institution I wouldn’t be proud to have on my resume. There’s no point in enrolling in classes if you won’t be challenged and learn something new.

We all know that people pursue graduate school to increase their business knowledge, but since you have started the program, what has been the most unexpected gain the program has given you?

A greater perspective of accounting, economics, finance and corporate business strategy. I have never taken any of those classes before, so it’s been tough, to say the least. However, I’ve noticed that even in my daily life, the way I see business now is different and it’s apparent in my regular vocabulary. I say and think about things in ways that I never did before and I’ve found it really useful in both my personal life as well as my career.

Which class/professor has been your favorite thus far and why?

Introduction to Corporate Strategy with Professor Lou Coco. Why? For so many reasons. The class is amazing and I got so excited learning about the overarching strategy of creating, building and bending a business. I only wish the class had been longer, so I would have had more time to soak it all up. Lou is my hands down favorite professor thus far. He has real in-depth experience across a variety of platforms and provides an engaging environment that facilitates lively discussion as opposed to boring lectures you struggle to stay awake in. I would recommend him for any class and I hope I get the opportunity to take another class with him before I graduate.

UIC Liautaud professors are continuously involved in researching new business trends and innovations. How have you felt the professors have been able to integrate their theoretical knowledge into practical applications? Do you have any examples?

Lou Coco has really been the stand-out in terms of discussing business trends. To be fair, there hasn’t been a great deal of opportunity for other professors, given the topics of class. I just started a small business (and by started - I mean legally filed paperwork) and have previous run a Chicago comedy blog, so what I learned in his corporate strategy class, coupled with my knowledge of digital media, really played a large role in developing strategies for both of these entities and my career as a whole.

What is your favorite aspect of the UIC campus and why?

It’s right off the Halsted bus. (I’m only half kidding.) Honestly, being a Weekend MBA student doesn’t allow for a lot of opportunity to explore the campus. The first year I was only taking Saturday classes, so there’s not much to explore but the last few months I’ve been taking weeknight classes and it’s nice arriving to campus early and just soaking in the calmness of the quad. It’s so quiet and peaceful. I love walking onto campus from the corner of Harrison and Halsted, through the tree-lined sidewalk. It’s beautiful - both during early mornings and right before dusk.

What advice would you provide to incoming UIC Liautaud students?

Understand the value of time. This isn’t easy. It’s hard and time consuming. I didn’t realize how little time I would have to do anything else. I’ve been taking two classes a semester, which has meant that I’m in class on Saturdays for about eight hours and most of my weekday evenings are spent doing homework. Now I’m in three night classes, so it’s a full-student class load. It kind of takes over your life. Cherish the moments you have with friends and family and I hope they are as kind and patient with you while you go through this process as mine have been with me. And don’t give up. It’ll be worth it. At least that’s what people keep telling me...

Is there anything you wish we would have asked you, that we did not and you wish to share with students?

Not that you need to ask, but I’ll share anyway: create your own opportunities. If you’re looking into grad school, chances are you aren’t the type of person satisfied by the status quo anyway, but either way, don’t be afraid to go get what you want. Figure out what it is that you want and then work really hard to get it. I can say from experience, it’s absolutely worth it.

What is the best part about your UIC Liautaud experience?

The people I’ve met. I’m constantly amazed at  the diversity of students in my class. I would most likely never have encountered these people in my daily life, but I’m fascinated by all of them. I have so much respect for everyone I’ve gone through the Weekend MBA program with. They’re such a smart, eclectic group of people and I feel very privileged to be learning side by side with them. I enjoyed being a part of the cohort program because we all started to get to know each other and helped each other out. We kind of looked out for one another. That kind of trust and knowing that other people have your back, that meant a lot to me. I’m a people person. Since I’m not in weekend classes anymore, I really miss everyone!

Ariana M. Taylor                    

Full-time MBA Candidate 2015

Concentration(s):  Marketing and Finance

Field of work: Management

Undergraduate Degree: English Studies

Undergraduate School: Illinois State University

Career Goal: Buyer at Target & Entrepreneur

How did you find your internship?

I found out about my internship through many of my colleagues that completed the executive internship last year. They explained that they loved the leadership and responsibility that Target offered, so I further researched opportunities at the company. After browsing their website, I applied for the executive internship position, endured two interviews, and was notified that I received the position.

Did you receive any help from the Business Career Center in finding your internship?

The Business Career Center has been helpful during my time at UIC as a whole. Jeff Wilson encouraged me to stay on top of job searches and hosted informational interviews with people who work for employers that I’m interested in.

What factor(s) did you consider when choosing to accept your internship offer?

I highly considered the duties of the executive intern because I really wanted to learn and gain experience driving sales and working with important departments of a flourishing company. I also considered the pay of the internship simply because who doesn't love money?

What were your responsibilities at your internship?

At the internship I was responsible for driving sales and motivating the team to achieve and exceed sales goals. I also managed the guest service and merchandising of departments with sales ranging from $2- $9 million. Lastly, I acted as Leader On Duty, by responding to guests, team member concerns, and opening and closing the store.

What did you like most about your internship?

I loved the way Target trusts their new employees, or interns in my case, to lead their team. Target allows their employees to be innovative and create new ideas to drive sales and vibe with their guests. I loved meeting new team members and learning about their personal lives and experiences with Target.

What was the most valuable lesson you’ve learned at your internship, thus far?

The most valuable lesson that I learned is that you can’t manage everyone the same and that everyone leads differently. To add, I learned that every department is equally important to the store’s success.

Did you have a mentor at your internship? If you did, what was the most valuable piece of advice you received?

I did have a mentor at my internship and she is actually an UIC alumni. The most valuable piece of advice that she gave me was that I won’t know the question to every answer, but the best thing I can do is just jump in and learn from my mistakes.

Our Fall 2015 applications are already pouring in and the Fall 2014 term hasn’t even ended! The Admissions team wants to make sure that applicants know all of the Admissions instructions, so applications are processed quickly.

You can begin your application now at go.uic.edu/apply. You will create an account with a username and password so that you can return to work on your application at a later time, if needed. For students looking to re-apply, please create a new account by using a new email address and new login ID.

Our application consists of two parts; the Apply Yourself application and the UIC Supplemental application. The Apply Yourself application is for the Liautaud Graduate School of Business and is used by the Admissions Committee for departmental review. The UIC Supplemental application is the University application and is used by the University Office of Admissions for University admittance.

The last section of the Apply Yourself application will provide a link to the UIC Supplemental application, which is a different application system, so applicants will have to create a new user account. This is a brief supplemental application and where the $60 application fee is paid.

Your application will not be processed by the Admissions staff until your application is submitted. Once you submit the Apply Yourself application, text cannot be updated, but you will be able to log back in to upload documents.

Once applicants submit the UIC Supplemental application, the University Office of Admissions and Records will email and invite the applicant to log back in and upload required documents (transcripts/marksheets, degree certificate, IELTS scores) to the Supplemental application. Applicants should receive an invitation within four days of submitting their UIC Supplemental application. We understand this may be slightly redundant for the candidate, but this allows for faster application processing, and ultimately, faster decisions.

Once an application is complete and all required documents are submitted, the application will move to the Admissions Committee for review. Applicants will receive an email notification once the decision is made. If you have been Department Recommended, your application is also reviewed by the University Office of Admissions and once a University admit decision is processed, an email is sent out.

The Apply Yourself application, UIC Supplemental application and $60 application fee are all due by February 15, 2015, for International applicants. The deadline for Domestic applicants is June 15, 2015.

Want to find out more about UIC Liautaud and our programs? Check out our events calendar for Information Sessions, Webinars, and attending a class. We also offer free GMAT practice exams on campus with Kaplan. Check in often for updates and future events!

If you have any questions, or need assistance with the application process, please contact us. We look forward to reviewing your application and working with you!

Haohao Li

MSA, 2014

Undergraduate Degree: Accounting

Organizations Involved With: Master of Science in Accounting Association

Interests/Hobbies: Swimming, Yoga, and Piano

Internships: Electronic Knowledge Interchange – Accounting Intern, Crowe Horwath China – Audit Intern, Bureau of Finance of Enshi Autonomous Prefecture – Accounting Intern

Favorite Chicago Places: Millennium Park

Favorite Chicago Restaurants: Too many to list :)

Hometown: Enshi, Hubei, China

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tell us about your personal and professional background.

During my undergraduate years in my home country, I received a full scholarship for a one-year English exchange program at SolBridge International School of Business in Korea. Having been exposed to a multi-cultural environment and educated in an American curriculum model, I decided to pursue my Master’s degree in Accounting in the United States.

After I finished my first year of the MSA program at UIC Liautaud, I got an internship opportunity at Crowe Horwath China as an Audit Intern. During the 2014 tax season, I was also certified as a tax preparer at the Center for Economic Progress to work one-on-one with tax site clients and help low-income individuals and families prepare tax returns.

What factor(s) did you consider when choosing a Master’s program and why did you choose UIC Liautaud for your graduate study?

I knew I would pursue my Master’s degree immediately after I finished my undergraduate studies in Accounting because I wanted to step deeper into the Accounting world, seek my Accounting certification, and open up more professional opportunities.

One of the most important factors I considered when choosing the program was to see if it would help better prepare me for professional examinations (CPA or CMA exams). I chose UIC Liautaud because graduates of the MSA program have one of the highest pass rates on the CPA exam in the state, and the highest pass rate among public schools.

What was the most unexpected gain the program gave you?

The most unexpected gain the program gave me was my fellow schoolmates. Students here are very dynamic and enthusiastic about learning. They are also dedicated to their studies too, which creates a very inspiring learning environment for others. In particular, when students from diverse background are working in teams on a project, we can really learn from each other through teamwork and improve our communication skills as well.

Which class/professor has been your favorite thus far and why?

Advanced Financial Accounting (ACTG 417) was one of my favorite classes. Professor Salama is very strict with students and always demands students’ best work. Students are all influenced by his love, passion, and dedication to Accounting, as well as teaching. Thanks to his strict course plan and high requirements for students, I learned a lot from his class.

What is your favorite aspect of the UIC campus and why?

Located just a mile from Chicago’s Loop, the UIC campus not only provides a nice view of downtown Chicago, but also makes it accessible and convenient for students since it is near different public transportation stops.

What advice would you provide to incoming UIC Liautaud students?

Try to be proactive and take full advantage of UIC Liautaud's resources and services to seek advice, network with people, and build connections. Start your job search as early as possible and get yourself prepared.

Deepthi Jayachandran

Full-time MS-MIS 2015

Field of Work: Data analytics

Undergraduate Degree: MS in Software Engineering. (5 year integrated program)

Undergraduate School: PSG College of Technology, Tamil Nadu India

Career Goal: Want to work as a Business Analyst in one of the big 4 companies

Organizations Involved With: INFORMS (Treasurer)

Internships: eBay, Chennai India.  Mu Sigma Business Solutions, Bangalore India

Favorite Chicago Activities/ Places: I love walking around Millennium Park.

Favorite Chicago Restaurants: I like Blue Frog’s Local 22

Favorite Part of the Day: Evenings just before sunset when there is a cool breeze 

Hometown: An industrial town called Coimbatore in the southern part of India in the state of Tamil Nadu.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tell us about your personal and professional background?

I am married to my boyfriend of 8 years. I have known him from high school and we got married a year ago. I moved to the US a week after I was married and 6 months later he moved to the U.S. too. He lives in Atlanta Georgia and works for GE. I am the second child in a family of four. My father is a doctor, who has an MD in Medicine and works with a teaching hospital. My mother is a homemaker who has been a rock of support for me through the years. I have an older brother who works at Dell in Austin, Texas.

I started my career as an intern at eBay in Chennai. I worked for 7 months as a Java developer. That is where I figured out I didn’t want to be a Programmer. My second internship was with Mu Sigma Business Solutions in Bangalore, India where I got to work as a Business Analyst. I moved to Hewlett Packard to work as a Marketing Analyst and wanted a career in this direction. Which is why I chose MS-MIS to make sure I am headed in the right path and work as an Analyst.

What factor(s) did you consider when choosing a Master’s program and why did you choose UIC Liautaud for your graduate study?

I wanted a career in the IT field but not as a Programmer. I enjoyed working with large amounts of data. Since my basic education was in programming, I had added skills which made me very good at my job. I wanted to further specialize in those added skills and decided to study Management Information Systems as it was a combination of technical and business studies. The MS-MIS program at UIC Liautaud was perfect for me. I liked the subjects that were offered and it gave me the flexibility to choose the field I wanted to concentrate in.

We all know that people pursue graduate school to increase their business knowledge, but since you have started the program, what has been the most unexpected gain the program has given you?

I have learned to work in groups. I have learned to be more patient with group members and to maintain a good work environment while working in groups with people from different backgrounds.

Which class/professor has been your favorite thus far and why?

I enjoyed the Marketing and E-Marketing courses as they were highly interactive and had real world relevant examples in both classes.

UIC Liautaud professors are continuously involved in researching new business trends and innovations. How have you felt the professors have been able to integrate their theoretical knowledge into practical applications? Do you have any examples?

The case study oriented subjects were wonderful to study. We had new and old case studies relevant to the subject matter and proved a wonderful learning experience for me.

What is your favorite aspect of the UIC campus and why?

My favorite place is the library which is a wonderful place to study on my own or work in groups.

What advice would you provide to incoming UIC Liautaud students?

Be prepared to work hard and learn to balance work and play.

Many courses require students to complete a project that applies course concepts to real world situations. If you have had a course project that was very insightful, what course was it for and what did you like about the project?

I worked with Daufenbach Camera as part of the applied consulting course. It was very exciting for me to work with the clients and make sure we delivered what they expected. It threw light on a consultant’s job for me. I loved the experience.

What is the best part about your UIC Liautaud experience?

The people. I have met so many different people and had the opportunity to work with so many students and faculty alike. It has been a fun first year! I'm looking forward to one more. 

Kicking off the holiday season, the UIC Liautaud MBA Association and the Business Alumni Association provided students and alumni an evening of networking and galactic exploration at Adler After Dark hosted by the Adler Planetarium.

The evening was a great opportunity for current students to connect and reconnect with alumni while exploring the depths of the universe. In addition to the exhibits and shows, gastronomy was an added highlight of the night. On every floor there was a mixture of excitement, science, and food!

There were a variety of food demonstrations and tasty samples. Some even learned to stuff a cupcake - Diana Bolanos-Marchan

There was even an opportunity to take part in the more "physical" exhibits. Like these two experiencing the Lunar Leap.

And even though the lines were long, this group was very excited to check out Winter Skywatch Live!

For more information about upcoming MBAA events check out the facebook page here!

This past summer, I embarked on a month long journey through Europe as a part of UIC Liautaud's Know Europe program. The trip was truly life changing, and I recommend it to anyone considering to study abroad. The program allowed me to visit some of the most beautiful cities in the world, make  lifelong friends, and earn 6 credits in just one month. 

I visited Brussels (Belgium), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Normandy and Paris (France), and Barcelona (Spain). As the only UIC Liautaud student, I was joined by 20 others  from various universities throughout the US. We were assigned a very interesting group project that entailed marketing American beers, wines, and liquors in European Union countries. Before we began the program, everyone was asked to propose an alcoholic beverage company for the group project. My selection of Chicago’s very own Half Acre Beer Company was chosen as one of the five finalists! 

As we traveled through Europe, we attended different universities and worked on our marketing plan that was to be presented at the end of the program. The coursework throughout the program included lessons on economies, marketing, and cultures within the European Union. A good portion of our research was primary; we interacted directly with locals at bars and asked them questions pertaining to consumer behavior in the alcoholic beverage market.  This was a great opportunity to learn firsthand about the people and the culture in the cities we visited.

 
The first stop was Brussels and we spent a lot of time at the world renowned “Delirium Café”. We also took a city tour and visited the EU Parliament. Brussels is a very historic city with great architecture and a huge variety of beers. Next we were off to Amsterdam where we visited the city’s wonderful museums, and the Heineken Experience. We had

classroom time at Holland University where we learned about the artistic and creative ways to market to consumers. Amsterdam is a very unique city unlike any other that I’ve visited; I think everyone should experience it at least once in his or her life. 

Another incredible day trip we took in France was to the small commune of Étretat. Étretat is known for its breathtaking cliffs and ocean view. Then we traveled to the beautiful city of Paris.  The program arranged a boat tour on the Seine River where we saw the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and other remarkable landmarks. We also enjoyed a citywide music festival in Paris. A group of us visited the Eiffel Tower and had a picnic while listening to live jazz.  

Our last stop of the journey was Barcelona. We were there during the summer solstice, which is celebrated in Spain as the night of San Juan. It was a huge celebration where everyone in the city headed to the beach to light bonfires, fireworks, and party until the sun rose. In Barcelona, we also presented our final projects. My team received an A+ on our strategic marketing strategy for Half Acre! 

Overall, I would recommend this trip to anyone at UIC Liautaud. It was the best trip I’ve ever been on!  I learned a lot about myself, European cultures, the amazing people with me, and the incredible cities. I also learned a lot from an educational standpoint about international business and marketing. The Know Europe program is a once in a lifetime opportunity that all students should take advantage of. 

This past fall semester a group of UIC Liautaud graduate students visited Google's downtown Chicago office. The purpose of the company visit was to learn more about Google's company culture, and what it's like to be employed by a company ranked number one on Fortune's, 'Best Places to Work."

Before the highly anticipated tour, students had the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Google, as well as hear firsthand from Googlers in the Chicago office. During the conversation a number of interesting concepts were discussed; such as the use of 20% roles, interest based communities that range from gaming to the arts, and weekly business update meetings from the founders (Larry Page and Sergey Brin).

"The discussion about culture was very interesting. It is apparent Google has taken many steps to encourage employee engagement and innovation." - Jasmin Aßmann, MBA/MIS Candidate 2015

Another highlight of the visit was hearing firsthand from a Technology Manager, Advertising & Technology Consultant, and Account Manager. This panel was very insightful and candid about their experiences and challenges. While all the panelists came from various backgrounds, ranging from Finance to South American studies, it was obvious from their explanations that Google looks for candidates who are highly adaptable and embrace the opportunity to learn. 

"The Google panel was absolutely insightful. Sometimes, as someone who is not extremely tech-savvy, you may get intimidated by organizations such as Google. However, the panel truly motivated me to seek opportunities at Google and further inspired me to highlight what I can bring to the table rather than ponder what I can't." Ariana Taylor, MBA Candidate 2015

For more information about upcoming UIC Business Career Center events click here. 

Through its continued efforts to encourage and develop networking with students, alumni, and business professionals, the UIC MBA Association (MBAA) partnered with the UIC Business Career Center to bring the Manager of Centralized Architecture & Analysis for the CME Group, Bill Stenzel, MBA 2011, to speak with students about his experience with the CME Group. 

Bill spoke about his role at the CME Group, as well as how he ended up there, and his purpose for pursuing his MBA. Besides hearing firsthand what it's like to work for the world's leading and most diverse derivatives marketplace, students also gained insights about Bill's project workload, requirement analysis, the Onion Futures Act, among other things. Students listened intently as Bill gave advice on how to get to the next level, professionally. Bill stressed the importance of climbing the ladder, putting in the time, and learning the systems, if success was the end goal. 

When asked about the event, Bill stated:

"I had a great time speaking with everyone that came and it was great to talk to so many people from various backgrounds working towards various degrees. Everyone was very welcoming and I could tell by the questions that were asked that everyone is passionate about taking the next steps in their career paths.  Most importantly, I personally believe that events like this are about the opportunities to network.  Meeting people and learning from their experiences are what help us grow and evolve.  In the days following the event, many students reached out to me asking for advice and wanted to continue the dialogue about career growth.  I am excited about my opportunity as a UIC alumnus to give back to the university and help the students in any way I can.  I am already looking forward to coming back in the spring to do it again."

For upcoming events, visit the MBAA facebook page!

This Spring 2015 semester the Liautaud program is offering several unique two-credit course options.  What makes these courses unique is that they are short courses that only last eight weeks out of the semester and they focus on developing professional skills that will assist in launching and developing a successful career.  Topics taught include The Venture Process, web analytics, and improvisation & leadership to name a few.

MBA 500:  Corporate Strategy (Instructor:  Betsy Hill)

Monday, 3/09 - 5/01 

 Analysis of major strategic decisions affecting the long-term performance of a firm and its ability to sustain competitive advantage.

MBA 590: Improv & Leadership (Instructor:  Michael Popowits)

Section 1:  Tuesday, 1/13 - 3/03

Section 2:  Tuesday, 3/10 - 5/05

Using improvisational theater techniques taught in workshop exercise of graduating difficulty, this course creates a safe laboratory for students to experiment with the elements of their own executive presence. This is a “presentations course” where students study how to present themselves in a variety of executive communication modes: networking, interviewing, creative team leadership and impromptu speaking situations, like client interactions or expert panel discussions.

The course is taught by Michael Popowits, a 20-year faculty member of the UIC College of Business Administration, and an executive communications coach who worked with executives in dozens of industries in the US, Europe, and Asia. Professor Popowits has also studied the art of improvisation for years and currently teaches weekend classes and directs student ensembles at the Second City Theater in Chicago.

Creating Careers That Count (Instructor:  Dave Kreischer)

Tuesday, 3/10 – 5/05

In a highly dynamic, well-educated and globally competitive marketplace, relevance has replaced loyalty as a basis for relationships—which includes the contract between employee and employer.  Since the marketplace dictates what is relevant, you are free to create a career that really counts for you as long as it counts for the marketplace.  This eight-week course will explore the three steps to creating a career that counts for you and for the marketplace: defining your difference-making strategy, discovering your marketplace relevance, and demonstrating and delivering your difference-making capability with highly relevant impact. 

The Venture Process (Instructor:  Ronald L. Kirschner, MD)

Thursday, 3/09 - 5/04 

Examines investment strategies, structures and policies in the venture capital process. Students in this course will explore the following:  the process, sourcing and screening of deals; evaluating a business opportunity; valuation and the term sheet; due diligence and investing’ monitoring, exit and returns.  Students should have completed the core accounting, finance and marketing courses before enrolling.  

Ronald L. Kirschner  is president of Heartland Angels, Inc.  Dr. Kirschner has a broad background in healthcare, start-ups and practiced as a doctor of anesthesia for 17 years.  While practicing medicine, he started three companies of his own in the healthcare field dealing with nutrition, managed care and lobbied the state government on funding and marketing strategies for both entrepreneurs and early stage companies.  He was a VP of the Biotechnology Venture Fund (started by the China Development Industrial Bank) where his role was to assist in discovery and fund development.

Managing Enterprise Data & Analytics (Instructor:  Kyle Cheek)

Wednesday, 3/11 - 5/06

Enterprises are increasingly turning their attention from the capture and maintenance of business data to a focus on very sophisticated analysis of that data. This shift is motivated by a belief that the vast quantities of data created through transactional, operational, web, and other sources contains valuable insights into customer behavior, market trends, and new operational efficiencies. This course will provide a survey of the emerging practice of business analytics, covering topics including: business data, its sources, its potential, and its challenges; a comparative view of analytic practices and maturity across industries; and critical considerations in the management of analytics within a business.

Web Analytics (Instructor:  Doug Lindquist)

Tuesday, 1/12 - 3/02

Modern firms rely heavily on the Internet to promote their products. Their own websites are especially important, since visitors can reveal their interests by their browsing behavior. Web analytics gathers and processes this information to learn more about their customers. This analysis allows assessing a website's effectiveness along metrics like web traffic and how long customers spend at pages. Web analytics offers a source of competitive advantage for both gaining new customers and keeping existing ones. This course will introduce students to the fundamentals of web analytics. Students will learn to use Google's online and offline software tools. The course will emphasize how these tools help inform marketing decisions. Course topics include: key concepts and terms and their usage, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and their importance, visitor behavior analysis, and developing and aligning KPIs with strategic objectives. 

Applied Consulting (Instructor:  John Fyfe)

Thursday, 3/12 - 5/07

The Applied Consulting course is an introduction to the client-consultant engagement process typically used by consulting and professional services firms.  Students who aspire to go into the consulting industry will particularly benefit from this course, as will those who intend to serve as an internal consultant or operations analyst within any public or private sector organization.  However, since most public and private sector management personnel end up working on projects for their organizations at some time in their careers , this course will be of interest to all MBA students.

The class will be conducted as a guided workshop for students to work in a professional consulting role to address a real life client problem as a case study. Each student will work in a team with some other students (depending on the number of students enrolled) working as consultants to create, manage and execute a client engagement that addresses their problem. Each week, each team will work on producing some interim deliverable, such as they would to a real client. Each team will then produce a final project report with recommendations, which they will present during the last class.

Chicago Exchanges (Instructor Gilbert Bassett)

Thursday, 3/09 - 5/01

The course features presentations by the leaders of financial exchanges discussing the past and future role of financial exchanges in the global economy. 

MBA 570 - Entreprise Strategy (Instructor Mark Shanley)

Tuesday, 3/10 - 5/05

A capstone course for MBA students which provides frameworks and decision tools to integrate prior course work in a set of analytics and problem solving efforts to address the strategies and enterprise level challenges of firms. 

To complete the Fall 2014 semester, the CRIM Student Expo showcased a variety of projects completed by students committed to the art and science of the management of information systems. Working directly with a corporate sponsor, each team was presented with an everyday business scenario which could be improved by the implementation of information system technology.

This semester's corporate sponsors included:

CME Group

The UIC Department of Disability and Human

Language Lerner’s Academy Development and Medical Business Associates

And many others

Each team worked diligently throughout the semester on their proposed solution, which concluded in presentations to university faculty, staff, and corporate sponsors. While some teams developed solutions for the same sponsor, every approach and solution was unique and satisfied the sponsor’s requirements.

Winners of the night :

Ideal Fitness solutions

Maintenance Tracking System

Timothy Chang, Patrick Madison, Erica Ray, and Surabhi Agrawal.

LM Restaurant

Managing Restaurant Inventory/Sales Application

Parth Ganatra, Arjun Gosain, Zultaj Rahmani, and James Walwark    

        The winners taking a celebratory selfie.                     Students talking about proposed solutions.

Congratulations on to all teams! Thank you for all your hard work!

For more information about the CRIM Student Expo, please contact Kyle Cheek at kdcheek.edu.

Thank you to Melphin James Parathazham, MS-MIS Candidate 2016, for contributing this post.

First of all, it’s not all roses and sunshine, especially in Chicago. A graduate student's life is hard, it’s different, but there is much to learn about your future, your career, and yourself.

I started school in Fall 2014; like most of us, I was chasing a dream to be successful, to start a new chapter in life, to fulfill those ambitions and responsibilities.

The majority of the students who come from India lived with their parents most of their lives, as did I. The truth is, you will miss your home, your comfort zone, and most importantly, the people you were surrounded by. But that being said, you are here for a reason and rest assured, this land offers loads of opportunities, to shape your career to whatever you want it to be.

Some of my discoveries that might help:

Living: If possible, try to find an apartment where you have a room to yourself. Also, make sure your roommates are good. After all, you will be sharing the same kitchen. You are in a new country. I recommend you try living with a diverse set of people. A new country calls for new experiences, which is not possible if you crawl back to your safety net and are not open to possibilities. Take time to settle on your future home. Money might be a constraint, but if you look hard enough you are bound to find a place that’s a good fit for you.

Food: If you know how to cook, great! I didn't, but I'm learning. In between school and homework you might not find time to spend on cooking, and fast food becomes your next best option. That being said, find a balance between fast food and homemade food that you prepare, sit down, and enjoy. The supermarket, Aldi, is a good place to shop for daily supplies. Devon Avenue offers a lot of choices for authentic Indian food and groceries. It is a bit far but there's nothing like home food, especially if you’re consuming pizzas and subway sandwiches almost every day.

Clothing: It is way cheaper to shop in the U.S. than to fill your suitcases with ridiculous amounts of clothing for all weathers, especially the winter. Everyone dreads the windy winters of Chicago. Thrift stores and exchange boutiques all around the city can help cut down on your apparel bills.

Academics: Take time and choose your courses wisely and ask for help from faculty and staff when you need it. The UIC library is one of the best places I discovered my first semester. There is a huge pool of resources, and an abundance of space to accommodate any agenda whether it is academic or extracurricular.

On a final note, nurture your hobbies and cultivate your interests, no matter what they may be. You will have a lot of personal time. Think, improvise, and implement.
 

Thank you to Subramaniam Palghat Balasubramanian, Director of Corporate Outreach - GMARK, for contributing this post. 

It was to my great pleasure to attend the Global Marketing Event presented by the Graduate Marketing Associations from UIC Liautaud, DePaul Kellstadt, and Loyola Quinlan. It was a first of its kind event. 

The event commenced at the very busy downtown campus of DePaul at 9AM with networking and a light breakfast. This was followed by the first keynote speaker Angela Johnson, Worldwide Managing Director at Ogilvy. Angela expressed really important insights on the topic, “Don’t give your customers what they need: Give them what they want,” using illustrative examples of advertising and campaign strategies used today.  It was a very informative talk with the examples providing a vivid picture  with brands such as Coca-Cola, British Airways and DuPont being standout examples.

This was followed by my favorite part of the day, the panel discussion on, “The Art of Global Branding.” The panel was composed 

of our own Professor Benet DeBerry-Spence, Professor Geraldine Henderson of Loyola, and Professsor Mark Skroch of DePaul. The panel was expertly moderated by Professor Zafar Iqbal of DePaul. It was an extremely engaging discussion on how branding and engagement are two sides of the same coin in today’s very global day and age. Additionally, the panel answered many questions regarding the use of social media for community building. Professor DeBerry-Spence was the stand-out on the panel with her valuable contributions and insights on the emerging African markets, which she gained through her many years of engaged research there.

The final speaker of the day was Ignacio Sola, Founder of S/A Chicago, on “Myths of thinking and acting globally.” He discussed important aspects to be considered when building a global team and busted some myths that stakeholders invariably consider when doing so. He explained in lucid terms the intricacies of working on projects across the globe, the difficulties faced by global teams, and some really intuitive ways to overcome them. He was also able to throw light on some finer points of brand messaging across geographies and how replicating a great campaign from one country in another could easily spell disaster even for the most experienced marketing teams.

Following the end of the event, we had the opportunity to interact with keynote speakers, panelists, and of-course peers from DePaul and Loyola during lunch. All in all it was a great morning spent and I encourage the GMARK team to organize many such events during the course of the coming semesters.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the UIC Business Alumni Association's Annual Winter Soirée. This year's Winter Soirée took place at the fabulous Signature Room at the 95th. Located atop the John Hancock Center, overlooking the breathtaking Chicago skyline, alumni from both UIC Business and the Liautaud Graduate School of Business came together to celebrate each other, and a new year with the Business Alumni Association. 

  

 

 

Photos: Julie Jaidinger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Students - Danielle Seger, Philippe Kirschey, Lu Lu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alumae Group Shot 

Two-credit courses offer an excellent way to try topics that interest you or to explore fields that you are curious about.  A few spaces remain in several of the eight-week MBA courses that begin the week of March 9.

If you are looking for a course that integrates the elements of a business and explores strategic direction, MBA 500 Corporate Strategy, could be for you.  If you are in your first year of study and enjoyed the case competition during orientation (or if you found it daunting), this is a way to develop the skills you will need for strategic management

MBA 500 Corporate Strategy –Instructor:  Betsy Hill         Scheduled:   Monday 6:00 – 8:30

Analysis of major strategic decisions affecting the long-term performance of a firm and its ability to sustain competitive advantage.

Curious about the implications of Big Data?  Here’s a course to introduce you to what all the excitement is about.

Managing Enterprise Data & Analytics  - Instructor:  Kyle Cheek  Scheduled:  Wednesday 6:00 – 8:30. 

Enterprises are increasingly turning their attention from the capture and maintenance of business data to a focus on very sophisticated analysis of that data. This shift is motivated by a belief that the vast quantities of data created through transactional, operational, web, and other sources contains valuable insights into customer behavior, market trends, and new operational efficiencies. This course will provide a survey of the emerging practice of business analytics, covering topics including: business data, its sources, its potential, and its challenges; a comparative view of analytic practices and maturity across industries; and critical considerations in the management of analytics within a business.

For those interested in healthcare and entrepreneurship, Dr. Ronald Kirschner, president of Heartland Angels, shares his vast experience starting companies in the healthcare field.  For those interested in how venture capital works, this course offers a primer in the field.

The Venture Process.  Instructor:  Ronald L. Kirschner, MD.  Monday 6:00 – 8:30

Examines investment strategies, structures and policies in the venture capital process. Students in this course will explore the following:  the process, sourcing and screening of deals; evaluating a business opportunity; valuation and the term sheet; due diligence and investing’ monitoring, exit and returns.  Students should have completed the core accounting, finance and marketing courses before enrolling.  

This year the MBA Association (MBAA) has made leaps and bounds towards creating value for the Liautaud Community. As a board we feel this year every event has been great and impactful. We're extremely proud of the success the MBAA has experienced, but we know that our success is owed to our members. 

It is through your input and engagement that the MBAA is able to create value.  

We have incredibility engaged members, and we want to take this opportunity express our appreciation. Below is a small taste of the members that make the MBAA great.

Brett Czekaj, MBA Candidate 2015

Jahnavi Kurapati MBA Candidate 2017

Mackenzie Magnus, MBA/MPH Candidate 2016

Johnny McWilliams, MBA Candidate 2016

Kellyn Bechtold, MBA/MPH Candidate 2016

Saloni Jain, MBA Candidate 2017

Christine Rapp MBA/MPH Candidate 2016

Evan Bierman MBA Candidate 2015

Mihai Raicu, MBA Candidate 2015

Stay connected with the MBAA by connecting with us on facebook!

Christina Wright

Full-time MBA Candidate 2015

Concentration(s): Finance and Accounting

Field of Work: Commercial Banking

Undergraduate Degree: BA in International Affairs with a minor in Economics

Undergraduate School: Northeastern University, Boston

Company and Position: First Midwest Bank, Credit Analyst / Commercial Lending Intern 

How did you find your internship?

I found my internship at First Midwest Bank (FMB) by attending the 2014 Spring Business Career Fair at UIC. I researched the Bank and various career/internship opportunities prior to attending the career fair. Based on my research and subsequent conversation with a Credit Analyst at the career fair, I felt that FMB would be a good fit. 

Did you receive any help from the Business Career Center in finding your internship? 

I worked with Jeff Wilson at the Business Career Center throughout the spring semester to drill down the companies I wanted to work for in the long-term. Jeff helped me narrow down this list and connected me with an employee at one of these companies. 

What factor(s) did you consider before choosing to accept your internship offer?

The main factors I considered were: 1) opportunities to gain new skills and knowledge; 2) job responsibilities; 3) opportunities for professional growth; 4) career opportunities beyond the internship; 5) fit with the organization’s values and culture.

What were your responsibilities at your internship?

My role supported the commercial banking team, specifically commercial credit analysts and commercial banking officers. I spread and analyzed financial statements, tracked servicing requirements, tested covenants, assisted with loan presentations, wrote prospect memos, researched new business opportunities, and sat in on sales calls with prospects. I had the opportunity to learn and analyze so many different businesses/industries and understand how the right loan structure could help a business grow. It was a lot of fun. I was able to apply what I learned in school and also learned a lot on the job that I've applied in my second year of school. 

What did you like most about your internship?

The challenges, exposure, consistent opportunities to own projects and learn new skills, and the people. Many of us have had internships where we were expected to do menial tasks (file, make copies, etc). My internship at FMB was far from menial. I had the opportunity to work on real projects from the very beginning. I was involved in high level renewals, new deals and business opportunities, and participated in higher level meetings. Not every internship offers you the opportunity to sit in on a meeting with Bank executives, but I had this opportunity at FMB. 

What was the most valuable lesson you learned at your internship?

It’s hard to pick just one lesson because I learned a lot in a short amount of time. Beyond all of the practical skills and knowledge that I gained, one of the higher level commercial banking lessons I learned was this: Simply stating increases and decreases in a company’s balance sheet or P&L doesn’t add any benefit to your financial analysis. In order to fully tell a company’s story, you need to be able to explain these increases/decreases. This seems straightforward, but when you can explain why a company’s gross profit margin decreased or operating expenses increased, you create a more transparent story about the company. It provides the Bank with a clearer picture when deciding whether or not to loan to the company, and what the loan structure should be. 

Did you have a mentor at your internship? If you did, what was the most valuable piece of advice you received?

I did have a mentor, and it’s one of the benefits of FMB’s internship program. The most valuable piece of advice he gave me was to ask questions, work hard, and take initiative. While this advice may seem obvious, it’s very specific to FMB’s culture. Interns and employees are encouraged to ask questions, and everyone is always willing to provide an answer. While other companies hire employees to do one job and one job only, First Midwest employees are encouraged to take initiative, own projects, and step outside their comfort zones. I met several employees who have worked at FMB for 15+ years in a variety of different capacities. Rather than lose valuable employees, the Bank has opportunities for professional growth that enabled many of these employees to stay and move up in the company instead of out to a different company.

The Liautaud Graduate School of Business is excited to announce the fourth annual UIC Liautaud Recognizing Excellence event on Friday, May 8th!  Please save the date for this event (an invitation with a RSVP link will be sent out to students next week).

This event will recognize student excellence in achievement, honors and participation within Liautaud and the wider community. At the event, the winners of the Liautaud Awards will be announced, and we will also recognize our students who have contributed to the Liautaud community throughout the year.

Three award categories are available for you to nominate your fellow Liautaud students:

- Liautaud Leadership Award
- Community Impact Award
- Liautaud Innovation Award

To view detailed descriptions for these awards, and to nominate your fellow students for them, please visit: http://bit.ly/RecognizingExcellence2015. All nominations must be submitted no later than Friday, April 17, 2015.

We look forward to celebrating our student successes at the Recognizing Excellence Ceremony on May 8th!