Month: October 2011

The Student Experience at the 2011 Regional NABA Conference

Posted on by Claire Hall

2011 Regional NABA Conference

On October 6th-9th, students from the University of Connecticut School of Business and other schools and colleges from the eastern region of the Unites States had the opportunity to attend the 2011 Regional National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) conference in Bethesda, Maryland. The conference included two and a half days of workshops, seminars and interview sessions.

The program was designed to help better prepare minority students for careers in accounting and financial management.  The major objective of the conference was to encourage student involvement in NABA and to assist in the development of leadership skills.  The other objectives include providing an opportunity for students and professionals to share their goals and objectives, a forum to discuss student issues and to present positive alternative resolutions, opportunities for students to develop and exhibit their organizational and planning skills, and to provide a cost-effective method for students to interview for different corporations for entry-level positions and internships.

In the paragraphs below, UConn students recount their experiences at this year’s NABA conference.

Christopher Sanchez ‘12 (Accounting) – My experiences at the 2011 Regional NABA conference were truly unforgettable. There was not a single element of the conference that was not perfect. Not only was the landscape and the hotel beautiful, but the seminars were all extremely touching and helpful. Even more importantly the atmosphere really changed me and molded me into a much more professional and career focused individual. Surrounding yourself with so many professionals who want to assist you is important, and I believe that NABA provides this to their students more than any other organization I have ever had the privilege of being associated with. The networking and career opportunities that were available to everyone this weekend were something unlike anything I have ever been exposed to before, leading me to believe that through NABA students are definitely destined for success. All of my experiences from this conference have done nothing but further my appreciation and admiration for NABA, and it has definitely made me realize that I want to become more involved and continue taking part in NABA post-graduation.

Venice Sterling ’13 (Psychology) – For me it was more than the all of the great companies that were at the conference, giving advice and conducting interviews; it was important to see all of the other NABA chapters in attendance at the conference. Knowing that NABA is such a huge part of so many individuals’ lives helped brand the experience for me. There were many other chapters from different schools such as Morgan State University, Maryland University and many more. The experience was one that I cannot forget. The interactions that took place and the enthusiasm that each school had for their own individual chapters helped to create a live environment. Everyone represented his or her school well, and this is something I believe UConn should also be able to do. One of the sessions that I attended was “NABA on your campus”, and my intentions were to learn how I could help build our NABA Chapter up even higher and be more active in our community. The most important thing that I learned at this conference and in this session was being able to appeal to different individuals through different programs and activities. Though our chapter here at UConn is well on its way, I still believe with some more work we can be one of the schools that had over 20 members at the conference, in the future.

Christina Headley ‘14 (Accounting) – My experience at the Eastern Region Student Conference for National Association of Black Accountants was a weekend filled of enlightening and informative sessions, combined with opportunities to network with peers with similar interests as mine. The energy during the entire weekend was high and the session that began it all was the opening conference about personal branding. A quote that stuck out to me during the session was entitled “Words to Brand By”, they stated, “You must make your name a best-selling product…something others aspire to be or seek value from… be someone that matters…”

These words resonate with me because throughout the conference this notion was enforced on many occasions. The importance of your colleagues and employers knowing who you are and that you are a quality individual, can say a lot about you. This is true especially when they are able to speak on your behalf when you are and are not present. Also being able to speak with representatives from the big four accounting firms and institutions such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was a great way to learn about and network with them. Many of the companies that are sponsors of NABA also facilitated sessions not only about their companies specifically, but also information that we as young professionals may find useful. The sessions ranged from how to handle conflict to even studying abroad. Overall, the conference exposed me to a world of accounting professionals and an organization that has helped to support me in my career pursuits.

O’Rayne Clarke ’14 (Accounting) – Going to the Northeast Regional NABA conference was truly a blessing. It has increased my knowledge through its many seminars. The information that was provided had a wide range of topics that will be useful in my personal, professional, and academic life. Learning more about NABA and seeing the passion of the professionals, volunteers, and students has inspired me to help with the growth of NABA here at the University of Connecticut. Another great thing about this conference was that I was able to network with professionals and also students. The length of the conference made it easier to build relationships that will last beyond our departure. Many of these things are things that all who participated in this conference could possibly agree upon. One way that my experience may have been different from most of my peers, was that I had already obtained an internship prior to attending the conference. The conference presented students with the opportunity to network with different companies, gain an interview and possible a job offer. When I went into the career fair I bumped into my recruiter from KPMG. We talked for a while then she asked if I wanted to assist with recruiting by sharing my experience and knowledge on the accounting profession, and I immediately agreed. I enjoyed assisting with recruiting because people seek knowledge that I had obtained through my internship experience. Undergraduates and even graduate students came to me seeking advice and this felt great, being that I was only a sophomore. Overall, the trip was a wonderful experience and I would recommend that future NABA students take full advantage of this opportunity.

Overall the conference was a learning experience. This is something that we all look forward to attending in the future, be it as Alums or still as an undergraduate member. We believe that this experience has helped us to have a greater connection to our chapter and a greater respect for the behind the scenes work. The networking opportunities were endless, the spirit of each individual school was incredible, and the overall session taught us about branding ourselves as a person. We would like to thank the Office of Diversity Initiatives, the Travelers EDGE program and the University of Connecticut for helping to fund this amazing experience.

Photo: Students Christopher Sanchez, Venice Sterling, Christina Headley, and O’Rayne Clarke.

Future Potential in IT Careers

Posted on by Claire Hall

Sponsored by: Department of Operations and Information Management, and Central CT Chapter of the Society of Information Management

University of Connecticut students were given the opportunity to ask career questions and prod the minds of senior IT leaders at a special presentation in the Rome Commons Ballroom at South Campus on Thursday, October 20th, 2011. This presentation, titled, “Future Potential in IT” was sponsored by the Department of Operations and Information Management (OPIM) and the Central CT Chapter of the Society for Information Management (SIM). It was a unique occasion for students to talk to senior IT leaders and recent graduates in the field. Continue Reading

USDLA Recognizes Professor Rosman at their 2011 International Awards for Distance Learning

Posted on by Claire Hall

The United States Distance  Learning Association (USDLA) presented its 2011 International Distance Learning  Awards in conjunction with the 2011 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.  These prestigious International Awards are presented annually to organizations  and individuals engaged in the development and delivery of distance learning  programs.

Andrew Rosman, Associate Professor of  Accounting, Director of MS in Accounting and Internship Programs and Executive  Director of Online Education for the UConn School of Business, with Roger Travis, Associate Professor of Modern and  Classical Language at the UConn College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, were  awarded the Bronze for Best Practices Awards for Excellence in Distance  Learning Teaching in the Online  Technology ~ Higher Education category.

Rosman and  Travis teamed to use game-based learning to teach students in the MS in  Accounting Program about professional skepticism. According to Rosman, they  were able to study “how individuals’ personalities and motivation toward a task  interact to form a lens within which they view the task situation and then  react.  The online gaming setting was an  ideal situated context for the confrontation between superior and subordinate  that could not have been created in a traditional face-to-face classroom  setting.”

“Each  year these winners raise the bar and exceed best practice expectations for the  industry as a whole and we are truly honored by their contributions to the  distance learning industry,” said Dr. John G. Flores, Executive Director  of USDLA. Dr. Denzil Edge, President of USDLA adds that “Through distance  learning, education, and training we can provide access to the world’s best  award winning opportunities for school children, connect higher education  students globally and transform the lives and careers of working adults. We are  truly on the edge of something great and these winners clearly demonstrate and  confirm the transformative powers of distance learning globally.”

The USDLA Awards were created to acknowledge major accomplishments in distance  learning and to highlight those distance learning instructors, programs, and  professionals who have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary results through  the use of online, videoconferencing, satellite and blended learning delivery  technologies.

About United States  Distance Learning Association (USDLA)

The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is a non-profit  association formed in 1987 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts.  USDLA  promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and  training and serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing  advocacy, information, networking and opportunity. Distance learning and  training constituencies served include pre-k-12 education, higher and  continuing education, home schooling as well as business, corporate, military,  government and telehealth markets.

Photo: Professor Andrew Rosman

Never Underestimate the Power of Teamwork: Paralympian Ron Williams Speaks to Students at 30-20-10

Posted on by Claire Hall

On Thursday, October 6, Ron Williams, a U.S. Paralympic medalist, spoke to University of Connecticut students in a presentation titled “Achievement without Limitations – Leadership and Inspiration.”  This event, sponsored by the Hartford Financial Services and the UConn School of Business Career Center (SBCC) was part of a speaker series called 30-20-10.   This speaker series features events that follow the same format: a 30-minute presentation on a contemporary business topic, a 20-minute sponsoring employer infosession, and a 10-minute Q&A session, which is followed up by networking opportunities with the employer representatives.

The animated and engaging presentation of Ron Williams charmed the students as he told stories about dealing with his disability.  Before losing his left leg, below the knee, at the age of 15, Williams was on the U.S. Jr. National Soccer team and had a dream of playing in the World Cup for the U.S.  This all changed when he went to the doctor’s to take a look at a sore left shin.  Williams was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma, a malignant tumor of the bone.  He beat the cancer, but with the cost of losing part of his leg.  After his recovery, Williams went on to set two world records in water skiing: the World Disabled Slalom and the World Disabled Jumping records.  He also went on to join the U.S. Paralympic Cycling team, and medaled twice: a bronze in the Men’s Individual Road Race and a silver in the Men’s Team Sprint.

Williams spoke to the audience about his experience with losing part of his leg.  A story that he told was one about how every time he went to a new hotel or place he would always struggle with finding a way in and out of the shower.  He would always check to see if there were any railings, or perhaps use the toilet, or the curtains, to help himself get in and out.   He always found a way.

It was with the help of Williams’ close-knit family and friends, he notes, that he could “Make a plan, and plan to make it.” This is his motto. He captivatingly spoke about how making a plan and sticking to it is important.  He told the audience, to never let anything get in their way.  Williams’ talk can be summed up into the three large points that he stressed: One, “Embrace change by seeing the long term possibilities;” two, “Make a plan, and plan to make it;” and three, “Never underestimate the power of teamwork.”

After Ron Williams spoke, Mark Gelinas, the Director of College Relations for The Hartford, came out and spoke to the audience about how The Hartford empowers their employees and they believe that there is “infinite potential to grow and improve.”  The Hartford also “continually develops employees by providing them with tools to maximize their potential.”  Hearing Gelinas speak about The Hartford and how they operate really encourages the audience to want to apply for a job with them.

The presentations by Ron Williams and The Hartford were not only informative, but it was also extremely insightful and entertaining. Open to all UConn students, the 30-20-10 series is the perfect opportunity to learn and network.

Photo: Ron Williams (center) with representatives of the Hartford and UConn School of Business

All-Intern Team Places Second in Case Competition at Walmart

Posted on by Claire Hall

This past summer, Vipul Chawla, a 2nd year UConn MBA candidate, interned at Walmart and had the opportunity to participate in a case competition that was conducted across the Walmart corporate office.  The business case competition was hosted by the New Professionals Advisory Council, and is the first one to ever take place. Continue Reading