New Business Course Fosters Early Student Engagement
ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 2, 2024) — This fall, the Massry School of Business introduced a new required course for direct admit students and intended business majors in their freshman year.
The new class, BBUS 100 Survey of Business, is designed to introduce Massry students to basic business principles and practices, strengthen essential professional skills early in their academic career, and provide an overview of the various majors and opportunities available within the school.
"BBUS 100 is one step to engaging more intentionally with freshmen," says Kevin Williams, Massry's interim dean, who is also teaching the class. Williams explains that the course, a faculty-generated idea, will help students "see the interconnections" between the school's majors and concentrations to a variety of different career paths and job possibilities.
"I am working with them to construct individual development plans (IDP) which involve setting short-term academic goals that connect to long-term career goals ... the IDP should identify specific activities that will build their competencies and skills."
The one-credit class is offered in two 8-week sessions and meets for two hours each week. Several co-curricular activities are planned to complement the new course. Students will participate in career development workshops that include resume writing, networking, alumni/employer presentations, and visits to Wall Street and a number of New York City firms.
Williams is upbeat about the engagement he sees: "The ultimate goal is to get the students excited about being a business major."