Month: December 2014


‘Tis the Season for Shopping Online

UConn Today – Given the increasingly crucial role online retail plays in the American shopping experience, UConn Today invited Jane Gu, an assistant professor of marketing in the School of Business, to share her insights on the impact the Internet is having on the retail industry. 


Office of Undergraduate Advising Offers Snacks & Hot Cocoa for Finals

Take a break from studying and come join the Office Of Undergraduate Advising for some Hot Cocoa and Goldfish!

Fishies For Finals

When: Wednesday Dec.10th & Friday Dec. 12th 

Where: School of Business, 2nd Floor Atrium

Time: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Also consider full-time or internship opportunties with Pepperidge Farm, resumes to be submitted online through CareersAtPepperidgefarm.com

 


‘Career Connections’ Introduces 200 Grad Students to Future Employers

2014-12-03_CareerConnectionsAlexion Pharmaceuticals, Blum Shapiro, Travelers and Priceline.com were just some of the companies seeking employees and interns at the inaugural Career Connections event for graduate business students at UConn.

More than 200 candidates earning advanced degrees in business—including MBA, Master of Science in Business Analytics and Project Management, Master of Science in Financial Risk Management and Master of Science in Human Resource Management—attended the November 12 event, which was at the UConn School of Business Graduate Business Learning Center (GBLC) in downtown Hartford.

Also among the 16 companies in attendance were: Aetna, Boehringer Ingelheim, Fiduciary Investment Advisors, Fitch Ratings, GE, The Hartford, Henkel, Infosys, iTech Solutions, Northwestern Mutual, Stanadyne Corp. and VoiceGlance.

All companies were represented at the career-fair style gathering on the Observation Deck, where students were able to talk individually with each company representative. Almost half of the companies also chose to offer a presentation in one of the adjoining classrooms, where interested students were able to learn more about each organization and possible career paths. In addition, companies were able to interview immediately in private conference rooms.

“This highly attended, successful event demonstrated the positive impact of having all graduate business programs together in Hartford,” said Meg Warren, assistant director of the Graduate Career Development Office. UConn’s Full-time MBA program recently moved from Storrs to Hartford. “Recruiters and hiring managers alike were pleased to see the range of graduate business talent all under one roof, in one venue.”

View photos from the event.




Faculty Research: Consumer Reactions to Round Numbers in Brand Names

Marketing Letters (forthcoming)

Kunter Gunasti and Timucin Ozcan.

In a recent research Kunter Gunasti and his-coauthor show that consumers prefer products labeled with brand names including round numbers (e.g., Centrum 100 multivitamins) to those including non-round numbers (e.g., Centrum 103). A systematic investigation of alphanumeric brand names used in numerous product categories indicates that round numbers such as 10, 50, 100, etc. are over-represented in the marketplace. Regardless of the product category, consumers have more favorable judgments and higher preferences of brand names including round numbers.Continue Reading


White House Internship Incredible, Inspirational Says UConn Senior

How many student interns can say they attended a speech by President Obama, met several Cabinet Secretaries, and watched the Marine One helicopter land on the South Lawn of the White House?

David Rifkin, a UConn senior majoring in Business Management, has done all three, while spending this semester as a White House Intern, conducting research and writing reports for government officials.

Simultaneously, Rifkin is researching leadership styles of early presidents, as well as more recent administrations, as part of an independent research project. He plans to present his findings when he returns to campus in the spring semester.

“It is incredible to walk through the White House gates every morning on the way to work,” said the Glastonbury native. “It is truly inspirational to consider that I am working at the very same place as some of the greatest leaders in American history.

“The thrill has not remotely begun to wear off,” said Rifkin, who is also a member of the UConn Honors program. “I still feel the same magic that I did on the very first day.”

Rifkin is no stranger to public service. Last year, he interned for U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, and also at the international human rights organization Lawyers Without Borders. He has also been active in student government at UConn.

“I thought that an internship at the White House would take my government and public service interests to the highest level,” he said. “My experience as a White House Intern is incredible. To say I’m enjoying myself would be an understatement. The work is quite demanding, but no work I have ever done has been so rewarding.

“On a more personal level, I hope my White House Internship will give me insight into what career path I want to pursue professionally,” he said. “I also hope to further develop my leadership and professional skills, to prepare myself for future personal and career endeavors.”

Rifkin’s research project is under the supervision of Management Professor Zeki Simsek, who describes Rifkin as focused, engaged, mature, observant, reflective and professional.

“I suspect that he will uncover some intriguing contrasts, as well as commonalities among the U.S. presidents in terms of leadership variables, such as openness to new information, belief systems, interpersonal styles, motivation and more,” Simsek said. He has asked Rifkin to explore whether presidents tend to display a dominant leadership style or a multifaceted one, and whether their styles shape their job performance.

Although Rifkin isn’t yet ready to reveal what he’s learned, he looks forward to presenting his findings upon his return.

“I intend for my research to be of value to all those interested in what constitutes effective leadership,” he said. “I aim to become better informed, through my exploration, of what factors contribute to successful management style at the highest level, in a way that can be generalized to leadership positions in all areas from business to government.”

Rifkin said his UConn experiences, both academically and in student government, helped prepare him for his internship.

Asked whether it will be hard to go back to being a student again, Rifkin said no.

“Although a White House Internship is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I certainly miss college at the same time,” he said. “I think the skills gained from this internship will actually enhance my future academic experience. I don’t want this internship to end, but I look forward to being back with my college friends, attending classes, and, of course, watching UConn Basketball.”

 


Habitat for Humanity

On November 8, 2014 members of the Real Estate Society volunteered their time in Bristol, Connecticut to work with Habitat for Humanity. Students helped sand and paint newly constructed homes for individuals who would not be able to afford a home without the assistance of Habitat for Humanity and their donors. The students said it was a rewarding and enjoyable experience and look forward to working with the organization in the future.

habitatForHumanity


2014 Cornell Real Estate Competition

A team of real estate students from the University of Connecticut earned third place in a prestigious international case competition on November 4 in New York City, sponsored by Cornell University.The UConn team consisted of William Bartol, Drew Harney, Austin Smyth, Kristine Victor and Patrick Nista. Francesca Michel was the alternate
.UConn Students
John Glascock, director of the Center for Real Estate and Urban Economic Studies, said that the UConn students gave an excellent presentation and secured the honor despite fierce global competition from top-rated schools, including McGill, University of Sydney, Cornell, Brown and NYU.
To read more about the competition click here