The study abroad application deadline for Spring 2018 is October 27! For UIC Business students, study abroad can be an experience that allows for significant professional and personal growth.  Through a combination of classroom instruction, immersion in local culture, and independent travel, Davis Birsan, a senior Finance major was able to get the most out of his study abroad experience.

We sat down with Birsan to hear about his time in Seville, Spain as a participant with the CIEE International Business and Culture program.

Q: What advice do you have for UIC Business students considering study abroad?

Definitely do it! You learn a lot. First decide where you really want to go. There’s so many programs out there that you’ll be able to find a good one for you.  Focus on picking a program that is based in a place you want to live.

Make sure you look at the courses they offer and the courses you need. If you might want to study abroad, think about it as early as possible. Be smart about picking a program that will be able to fulfill your remaining requirements.  For example, I took science and language classes and classes for my minor while I was abroad. Other than that, don’t stress too much. You will meet with your UIC Business adviser in advance to make sure the credits will transfer for the right requirements. 

Once you’re in the country, get immersed in the local culture. In Seville during the spring there are two week long holidays, Semana Santa and Feria de Abril. The celebrations may look strange to Americans, but for locals, they’re religious celebrations. Classes do not meet those weeks so have time to travel, but I would recommend spending at least a couple days in the city so you can dive deep in the culture.

Q: What is your best memory of your study abroad semester?

I did a homestay, which I would 100 percent recommend. On my program, not only did my host family provide meals and do my laundry, but some of the best moments I had were with my host family.

My family had a patio outside where my host dad had speakers set up. He was a big fan of music and American music, so after dinner we would sit down for an hour and a half just listening to different songs and playing songs for each other and just talking. Before I left he made me a flash drive with a hundred of his favorite songs that he thinks that I need to know or that I should listen to. It was the sweetest thing.

Q: What was your favorite trip that you took outside of Seville?

Take as many trips as you can, whether it be within your home country or in the region. Especially if you’re in Europe, flights and buses are super cheap. The coolest trip was going to the Vatican and randomly stumbling upon the Pope.  I’m not Catholic, but it was really cool to see him. It was a great moment.

Q: What were you nervous about before your semester in Seville started?

I definitely was nervous about a lot. Financially, the programs are not the cheapest, but there’s so many scholarships available. I was able to fund my whole study abroad education with scholarships. The only things I had to pay for were the extra trips I took. Funding shouldn’t scare you away. Just be proactive and apply for the funding that’s available.

I was excited and nervous about being fully independent. The experience definitely made me more independent. I’d never booked a flight before. By the end of the semester I was making itineraries and taking solo flights, all in a different language.

Q: How did your time in Seville change your academic and professional interests?
Study abroad opens your mind to different jobs, even outside the U.S. For me, it introduced me to the consulting field. I’m interested in this field because some consulting firms have clients that are based outside the U.S., and working on those contracts would allow me to continue working with people around the globe. I also picked up international business as a minor after studying abroad.

Q: What skills did you gain from your experience that have been valuable back at UIC Business?

One soft skill you learn in a non-English-speaking country is communication. You have to learn to choose your words wisely so you don’t have misunderstandings with people, and this helps you to become more articulate.

My program definitely emphasized team work and group work. When you study abroad you might be doing group-based assignments with students from different parts of the world. Learning to deal with a difficult group situation is definitely a skill you can bring to UIC. 

Q: Why do you think UIC Business Students can benefit from a study abroad experience?

The business industry is so globalized that no matter what, you will be working people, either in person or over the phone, from a different country. Or maybe all your suppliers will be located in different countries. For example, in Spain they never have a set schedule. Work starts around 9:00 a.m., but people came in when they wanted to. And they have their siesta during the middle of the day and come back to work from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Instead of looking down on that, living there helps you adapt to different working styles and personalities. Study abroad definitely helps you appreciate other cultures and it helps you understand how business operates internationally.  

To learn more about the study abroad opportunities available to UIC Business students, visit the Study Abroad Office site and attend a First Steps advising session.

UIC Business Scholar sophomores Edgar Gabriel Avalos and Brian (Seungyong) Lee are the co-founders of One. Clothing Brand.  We caught up with Avalos and Lee to learn about the company, what is coming up next for the brand, and the role UIC Business has played in the company’s founding.

Both Avalos, born in the U.S. and raised in Mexico City, and Lee, raised in Seoul, South Korea before moving to Michigan in 2009, brought a passion for entrepreneurship with them to UIC.  In October 2016, Avalos and Lee, then UIC freshmen, met at a soccer event sponsored by their residence hall. They later reconnected at the UIC Business Freshmen onboarding event.

“I stayed there longer than other people because I was networking with alumni, and [Avalos] was doing the exact same thing, staying there trying to get the most out of it,” Lee remembers, “We walked out together at the same time, fortunately.” It was during this conversation as they left the event that the two formed the first concept for what would become One. Clothing Brand and the beginnings of a strong friendship. 

“We wanted to make something that we could be proud of, and we wanted to make something that we could be passionate about, something that stands for more than making money,” Lee says, “It means something greater than that.” Their shared interest in style led them to the fashion industry. While their choice of industry was also partly the result of practical limits, the concept for One. Clothing Brand came out of the two students’ personal philosophies and life experiences. 

“We have different stories than most of our classmates,” Avalos explains, “Most of them grew up here and are accustomed to the U.S. But for us, coming from another country, we see those differences and we talk about them.”  From this desire to celebrate the diversity of their potential customers, they solidified the vision for One., a clothing brand that sells high quality, limited quantity apparel for customers who value culture and provides customers a platform to collaborate creatively on future products.

To date, One. has released their first product, the Day One. Tee, that has a limited supply of 100 pieces. For the Day One. Tee and all aspects of the business, Avalos and Lee have established a solid division of labor. 

“In this business team right now, I’m taking charge of the creative department, including design and photography,” Lee says, “There are probably 20, or 30 designs that I have been working on that haven’t been released yet.”  Avalos leads the financial side of the team, including leveraging connections in Mexico City to identify suppliers and production facilities.  

“This is exactly the reason why I came to UIC,” says Lee, “This is the best place to come when you want to start a business because you get to experience the different perspectives and skills that other students have.”  They also credit UIC’s Chicago location with allowing them access to the apparel industry that would not have been possible from another campus. 

Avalos and Lee are taking Introduction to Marketing this semester with Professor David Gal. Work in the class has allowed them to gain the expertise necessary to better organize their marketing strategy. 

Looking ahead to the future of One. Clothing Brand, the co-founders plan to produce additional limited-release designs and expand their target markets.  They also hope to build a mobile accessible platform that can facilitate collaboration between artists. 

The strong chemistry between Avalos and Lee has both led to growth of One. Clothing Brand and a close friendship.

“Even outside of the business, we learn a lot from each other, we support each other,” Avalos says, “That’s something that wouldn’t have happened without UIC Business."

The study abroad application deadline for Spring 2018 is October 27! We talked with the Study Abroad Office about the opportunities available to UIC Business students and the information you should know as you decide to apply.  

• Emerging Economies - The IES Emerging Economies: Buenos Aires & Santiago program examines globalization and economic growth in these cities.  The coursework focuses on practical application of concepts that includes a mock consulting project and conversations with local business organizations and professionals.
• Multiple Locations - Consider the CIEE Open Campus Program that allows you to customize your experience with your interests and degree requirements. Through this program, UIC Business students can choose two or three cities to live in over the semester with courses available in five different tracks. The CIEE open campus program offers locations in Berlin, Cape Town, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome.
• Graduate Programs– For graduate students, UIC Business offers a two-week course in Sao Paulo, Brazil and a four-week course traveling in five cities in Europe. Both programs tackle contemporary business issues and offer meetings with professionals from across the world. 
• Internship Experience - If you’re looking to gain internship experience in addition to academic credit during your semester abroad, there are many programs specifically designed to place students in positions.  One of these programs, SAO Business, International Relations and Spanish at the University of Deusto offers coursework focusing on international business and for-credit internships in Bilbao, Spain. 
• Field Specific– Programs are available that focus courses and learning experiences in specific fields.  Popular choices include Fashion Merchandising and Sports Marketing.

Setting yourself apart
The experiences and skills gained studying abroad will help set you apart for future employers.  With only 2 percent of college graduates nationwide studying abroad, your experience can tell a unique story for hiring managers.  In addition, a national survey, by NACE Center for Career Development and Talent Acquisition, of top employers found that excellent communication skills and adaptability rank highly among desired skills for new hires.  Therefore, a study abroad semester not only will allow you to improve those skills, but will also help you convey them on your resume.

Michael Lev, a senior Business Scholar majoring in marketing and minoring in managerial skills, completed an Account Specialist Internship with Enterprise Truck Rental this summer. His many successes in the position – including receiving an award for Top Presenter among over 70 interns – were made possible by the professional skills he developed at UIC Business.

Lev was invited to an interview at Enterprise’s headquarters in Lombard after connecting with a recruiter and filling out an application online. “We talked about my previous experience and what I’ve gained from the Business Scholars program. It was very conversational. He was interested in learning more about me.” The recruiter offered Lev the internship on the spot. 

Lev attributes landing the internship to the skills he acquired in the UIC Business professional development programming. “BA 100 (Introduction to UIC and Professional Development) and BA 220 (Business Professional Development II) really helped me develop my interpersonal communication skills and really set me apart from other applicants.” Furthermore, Lev ascribes his success to the Business Scholars Speaker Series, an exclusive series of talks and networking events with business professionals for students in the Business Scholars program. During these events, he employed the networking skills he learned in BA 100 and 220 and gained experience communicating with industry professionals.

At his internship, Lev was trusted with the responsibilities of full-time employees. He met face to face with customers to walk through contracts and address any issues, such as documenting preexisting damage to the vehicles. In addition, Lev took on responsibilities with the company’s marketing department, projecting potential clients and reaching out to prospects.  These projects were some of his favorite aspects of the position. 

Lev will graduate with a UIC Business degree May of 2018 and has several full-time offers. His best advice to business students seeking internships is to utilize LinkedIn as a tool to network with other students and professionals. “You would be very surprised at the amount of positive feedback you get if you reach out to someone in a field you are interested in. Professionals are much more willing to give someone their time than most people you would expect. The worst thing that could happen is that they say no to you.”

Al Heller ’75 Accounting, Operating Partner for Water Street Healthcare Partners, LLC

Keeping the family tradition alive, and because it was most affordable, Al Heller (BS Accounting ’75) followed in his brothers’ footsteps and attended The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) for his undergraduate degree. Al wanted to be sure he received a “top notch” accounting education, which UIC was able to provide. Al earned his degree in accounting at the College of Business Administration while balancing a full-time job to fund his entire education. 

Additional fun facts about Al: 

• Al’s favorite place to eat near campus is Big Al's Italian Beef on Taylor Street for 95 cents (back in the day).
• In his free time, you can find Al traveling, hiking, hitting the links, cheering on his favorite sports teams with his kids, and enjoying concerts and plays.

Al credits the education he received at UIC for providing a strong foundation of business disciplines, giving him the tools he needed to launch his career within the healthcare industry. With more than 35 years of leadership experience in the healthcare industry and a developed expertise in life sciences, Al currently serves as an Operating Partner for Water Street Healthcare Partners, LLC.  

While celebrating a recent birthday, Al’s daughter-in-law asked what he was going to do differently in the coming year. 

He decided he wanted to “Change someone’s life for the better” – and someone he had never met. After discussing his vision with family and friends, Al decided to establish a scholarship fund at his alma mater, creating a meaningful and positive impact for UIC Business students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to attend college. 

With the guidance of the Advancement team, in December 2016, Al established the Heller Family Business Scholarship in support of an undergraduate accounting business student from Chicago. This fall, the first Heller Family Business Scholarship was awarded to Ehlimana Gutosic ’20 – a UIC Business Scholar, a member of the Honors College, and a first generation college student.  

Ehlimana Gutosic ’20, Heller Family Business Scholarship Recipient

While Al only recently reconnected with UIC Business, he stated that “Giving back to UIC has already had a positive impact on me and my hope is that it has a real, important and positive impact on those that are helped.” 

Financial support from alumni, like Al, is essential in attracting and retaining UIC Business students. The impact that Al has made on Ehlimana’s education has truly made a difference. 

In her own words, “Because of his generosity, the financial burden placed on me to pursue my education will be greatly reduced,” allowing her to focus on her studies, do well in school and, ultimately, secure a good job. Each year more than 70 percent of UIC Business students receive some form of financial aid. UIC Business is committed to supporting a talented, well-rounded, hardworking and diverse student body. 

Thank you, Al, for your positive impact on Ehlimana’s education and future!

Each semester, undergraduate students at UIC Business connect with senior leaders from local, national, and international companies in Management 495 (Competitive Strategy).  For the course, Clinical Associate Professor Michael Miller brings top business leaders to UIC Business for the Executives in the Classroom series.  As part of the Fall 2017 speaker lineup, Ulta Beauty CEO, Mary Dillon ‘83, UIC Business alumna, joined the Management 495 class. 

Each Executives in the Classroom session begins with a student- led group analysis of the speaker’s company. A few weeks back, Dillon, and a packed lecture hall, listened attentively as the group of seven students detailed Ulta Beauty’s mission, values, and products, and performed SWOT and market analysis of the company.

“Our team was in agreement that we needed to do extensive research on Ulta because we wanted to do the company justice,” Pamela Gozon, a UIC Business senior accounting major, said. Despite the pressure of delivering the material in front of the company’s CEO, the substance and presentation quality of the students’ work was top-notch.

Marla Wisuri, a senior marketing major, explained, “Although it was a large audience, I did not feel too nervous presenting because our team was well rehearsed. We did a run through with Professor Miller, practiced as a team, and on our own.” This thorough preparation paid off; when it was Dillon’s turn to speak, she praised the students’ work and skipped through a number of slides in her deck that included material the group had already covered. 

“To be honest with you, these guys did a fantastic recap of my company and it would be redundant if I did too much of it,” Dillon said.  This left Dillon significant time to address the recommendations made by the students for Ulta Beauty directly, including expansion of Ulta Beauty’s e-commerce and international divisions.  Dillon also discussed her background and the hard work she put in while at UIC.

“When I was [at UIC] I was waitressing, I had student loans, I worked at the language lab, I worked at a bank as a teller, and at the same time I was getting a degree,” Dillon stated.  In addition to expanding on the company’s evolving strategy, Dillon suggested that willingness to work hard and ambition are key for students hoping to one day reach senior leadership positions.

Yasmeen Ewaida, a senior Information and Decision Sciences (IDS) major, reflected on Dillon’s visit, “It is valuable to have someone like Mary Dillon speak in class, because she got to where she is based on hard work and her attitude. She was a first-generation student, like myself and many others, and seeing how far we can grow if we have the right mindset is extremely motivating to continue to achieve great heights.”

UIC Business offers a collection of preferred and guaranteed graduate admissions programs that put qualified students on the fast track to admission. Whether you are an aspiring Master of Science in Business Analytics, Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Marketing, or Master of Science in Management Information Systems, you may be eligible for one of these highly respected programs. An advanced degree continues to be one of the most highly coveted resume builders in an increasingly competitive environment, and a master’s degree from UIC Business can help you stand out from the crowd.

The Guaranteed Admission programs give UIC and UIUC students or recent graduates who meet specific GPA and credit requirements guaranteed acceptance into a number of master's level programs. For more information and details on qualifications, visit the UIC Business Course Catalog.

I caught up with Andrea Jimenez, an MSA student  who was granted guaranteed admission through the Guaranteed Admission to the MSA (GAMSA) program. Andrea completed her undergraduate education here at UIC, and she will join Deloitte’s audit practice next September. Here is what she had to say about her admissions experience:

Q: Do you feel as though GAMSA made your admission process easier? If so, how?
 

Andrea: GAMSA definitely made the admission process easier for me. It was very simple application process, and nice to not have to worry about small details, such as transcript or GMAT score submissions--details which might seem trivial, but actually save quite a bit of time.

Q: What were some of the advantages you enjoyed as a result of receiving guaranteed admission?
 

Andrea: The process was faster than going through regular admissions. The process was easy and some items are waived (e.g. GMAT examinations), so I didn't have to worry about planning and preparing for those during the semester when my workload was already quite large. Moreover, meeting the GPA required for GAMSA also made me eligible to apply for a Teaching Assistant position, which was a plus.

Q: Were you aware of Guaranteed Admissions programs throughout the application process?
 

Andrea: Yes, I had several friends who went through Guaranteed Admissions programs, both from UIC Business (as well as from other colleges), so I was glad to have known about the program prior to applying.

Q: Did qualifying for GAMSA affect your graduate school choice?

Andrea: GAMSA played a pretty big role in my decision. Not only did I enjoy my undergrad experience here at UIC, but the fact that GAMSA was available helped to get rid of the additional stress that comes with any college or graduate school application process. That was a big deal for me, especially given the busy schedule I was juggling at the time.

Thank you to Andrea for her insight!

An advanced degree could be just the competitive advantage you need in an increasingly competitive environment, explore our guaranteed admissions programs and get on the fast track to your advanced degree.

Thursday, November 16, marked the launch of SAP’s Next-Gen Lab here at UIC. The launch event and accompanying Blockchain Bootcamp gave great insight into the vision for the partnership. This innovative lab will give teams of students from various disciplines the opportunity to be on the ground floor of today’s most disruptive technology. UIC Business students will work alongside engineers, designers, as well as students from other fields across the university, to develop smart solutions for companies throughout the Chicago area.

Leveraging the latest SAP technology, the Next-Gen Lab at UIC will serve as a knowledge center,  developing impactful solutions for the real world. This launch event highlighted many crucial aspects of SAP Next-Gen Innovation, and SAP Senior Vice-President & Managing Director Rocky Subramanian took the time to elaborate on what made UIC the obvious choice.

According to Subramanian, a bustling B2B startup scene and strong investment from the city of Chicago were just two of the factors impacting SAP’s decision to launch the partnership with UIC. Now embarking on a groundbreaking venture with Chicago’s public research institution and No. 1 ranked undergraduate business school, SAP hopes to establish a relationship that grows as the years go on.

Companies will have the opportunity to submit applications to work with SAP’s Next-Gen Lab, where UIC and SAP are committed to cultivating an environment that will produce specific and effective solutions.

Following Subramanian’s insightful speech, Nitin Kalé, Associate Professor of Engineering Practice at the University of Southern California, gave the audience an opportunity to learn about the foundation of Blockchain technology in his Blockchain Bootcamp. His insights built anticipation among the audience as students, professors, and faculty members offered questions and input. Kalé touched on potential applications, advantages, and challenges of Blockchain technology in today’s world.

More details will be forthcoming as a physical location for the lab is being finalized, but one thing is for sure, the SAP Next-Gen Lab here at UIC will be at the forefront exploring this new realm of opportunity for years to come.

By Asma Hasan and Susan Kantor

The business skills taught in UIC Business graduate programs are in high demand for non-profit organizations and explain the significant number of MBAs employed in the sector. Recognizing how important business skills are to non-profits, Associate Professor Maija Renko presented UIC Business students with an independent study opportunity focused on non-profit market research. 

This project we took on was conducted in conjunction with Joe Moag from Neumann Family Services, a local nonprofit that serves persons with a dual diagnosis of intellectual or developmental disability and mental illness. 

Co-packing, also known as co-manufacturing, is the process of using a third party for manufacturing small batch food production. Boutique food producers use co-packers to spend less time on the production themselves so they can focus on other areas of their businesses. It also frees up cash for other operations, rather than investing in a costly production facility.

Moag is working to launch a new co-packing service targeted to local Chicago food entrepreneurs, with Neumann’s clients as the employees. Such a business model has the potential to create revenue and job opportunities at Neumann, while serving the production and packaging needs of those Chicago entrepreneurs looking to provide locally grown and responsibly produced food. Benefits of the service include using space in Neumann’s facilities, and Neumann’s clients can build job skills and earn revenue for the organization. 

Moag has a thorough business plan for the co-packing service, but he needed additional market research to better understand the needs of local food entrepreneurs, their decision process for choosing co-packing partners, and their willingness to work with a mission-driven co-packing facility like the one he was proposing. Enter UIC Business students.

We saw this as a great opportunity to get real-world experience in market research while helping an organization with a meaningful mission. We jumped at the chance to work on this project as an independent study.

We started the project by meeting with Moag to understand his business plan and needs. Our research plan included a combination of an online survey, phone interviews, and a review of news articles and industry reports on co-packing, Chicago-area food entrepreneurship, and national trends relating to these businesses. We found that people were eager to work with us and share their stories to write our report. We presented the findings to Moag and Professor Renko at Neumann Family Services in October.

From our initial meetings to the final presentation, this was a rich learning experience that we’ll be able to apply to our careers because we got to experience scoping, executing, and presenting a market research project. It was interesting to see how much data and information is out there, but that it takes skill and planning to put it together in a useful and cohesive way. We were able to paint a picture of the overall landscape of food businesses in the area to see where gaps occur and how they can be filled.

This project was also a great example of how graduate studies at UIC Business integrate practical application into our coursework, going beyond the classroom like student organizations such as InKind Consulting and Net Impact do with their projects and case competitions. We were able to use methods learned in class to perform our research and digest it into a report that Neumann Family Services will use to determine the scope and operation of their facility. It has been incredibly rewarding to know that our work will be used by Neumann and that we have a project to keep updated on for future opportunities.  

Asma Hasan is pursuing an MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management. With a background in food and beverage, she is interested in sustainable production and sourcing.

Susan Kantor is pursuing an MBA in marketing. With a background in journalism and communications, she is interested in the fields of marketing, media, advertising and entrepreneurship.

Keenan Jeffrey Artis, another business scholar, and I were hosted by Jose Sanchez and Raul Rosas at their offices in the Merchandise Mart of Chicago. 

Sanchez and Rosas are UIC Business alumni and co-founders of the virtual reality startup Fluxee. Both graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting in 2013. They gave us a tour of their offices and the communal startup space at 1871, Chicago’s digital startup incubator in the Merchandise Mart. 

A former UIC Business management professor, Antonio “Paco” Giuliani, served as a mentor to Sanchez during his time at school. Through this relationship, Sanchez landed an internship at 1871 working with a virtual reality (VR) startup. Sanchez brought his valuable experience working with this business to the founding of Fluxee.

Fluxee is a virtual reality company that provides corporations and other users with life-like views of properties through technology. The company is a member of Elmspring, an accelerator dedicated to supporting emerging real estate and housing technologies that is part of 1871. 

By wearing a headset and other VR gear, Fluxee users can experience properties ranging from retail stores, warehouses, or hotels from the inside. Clients use the program to make business decisions such as the placement of products within a store or the right furniture for a space, among others more conveniently. The technology also helps users visualize the dimensions and scale of a room as if they were physically in the space. 

Fluxee’s first customers were real estate firms, including Kass Management, a leader in property management. The companies used the software to show clients properties without wasting time and money on in-person tours. Potential buyers can even virtually move furniture around the rooms. Over time, other industries, including consumer packaged goods and store configuration fields, have taken interest in the company and its software. Sanchez and Rosas are currently working with a variety of clients and aim to make their company a household name within the industry. Designers really appreciate not just being immersed in virtual worlds, but being able to collaborate and communicate with their colleagues across the world in real time. 

Towards the end of the tour, Sanchez and Rosas demonstrated their products, including the VR headset and gear. Once the gear is on, you can see views of a property, which can be easily switched. You can walk in the VR by either using the controls that are provided or walking in real life.

During our visit, Sanchez emphasized the importance of networking and maintaining strong connections when launching your career. Sanchez knows from experience how connections can jumpstart your career; one of Fluxee’s first investors was a now-retired UIC Business faculty member. Sanchez also suggests that the first investors convinced to put money in a startup are usually not people who believe in their product, but people who believe in the founders and trust their ideas. Sanchez and Rosas provided insight to not only into the Tech Industry but also into the specifics of founding a startup. The most significant advice from Sanchez and Rosa that I will carry with me throughout college is to network as much as possible, so I can create and maintain strong connections for after graduation.

Yuuka Ikeshita is a UIC Business sophomore majoring in Information Decision Sciences and a Business Scholar. 

Maali came to UIC in 1984, eventually earning a degree in Accounting.  For Maali, a first generation American and college student growing up on Chicago’s southwest side, navigating college admissions and career development was a challenge.

“It’s hard to coach someone in something you haven’t done yourself before,” Maali says, “I will say this though, that my parents, for both not having college educations managed to make sure that all four of their kids went to college and graduated, and never made it optional.” This experience as a UIC student has inspired his continued involvement in guiding and coaching current students.
 
“Any chance I get to talk to students or groups of students to share my own experiences, I take, because I really do believe that a lot of them are in the same boat I was several years ago,” says Maali.

During college, Maali dedicated much of his time to class and working at his family’s business, but has fond memories of playing with his intramural softball team in three championship games, one of the many campus activities that he knows have only expanded since his time at UIC.

“That’s one of the things that I really enjoy seeing when I come on campus now. It’s changed a lot with more opportunities now than there were then. There is a strong campus feel to the school,” Maali observes.

Maali now leads PwC’s on-campus recruiting program with UIC Business that has evolved throughout his 17 years as a partner at the firm.  The PwC Honors Program, targeted at Chicago university freshmen and sophomores, gives students the opportunity to come to the PwC office three times throughout an academic year and learn about the profession.  The goal is to introduce students to the field of accounting and get them thinking about internships as early as possible.

“We have just got to get to these kids and make them aware that this starts freshman year,” Maali suggests, “You can’t wait until the spring semester of your last year to start thinking about a job.”  Maali spearheaded the creation of the formal PwC recruiting program at UIC. He continues to be impressed with the quality of applicants he interviews at on-campus events powered by a strong relationship with the Business Career Center.

Talking about a recent recruiting event, Maali remembers, “I interviewed eight students. If I had the numbers, I would’ve invited all eight of them back for a second interview.”  From his continued involvement on campus, Maali has seen the expansion of UIC Business student services, including the formation of the Business Scholars program and formalization of the professional development curriculum completed under Dean Michael Mikhail’s direction. 

“I think the college has done a phenomenal job of educating people and really being there,” says Maali, “The number of touch points that are available over the course of the year is huge.” Maail emphasizes that with the availability of these excellent resources from UIC Business, it is up to individual students to take advantage of them. 

“Start positioning yourself from freshman year with all the resources that are available to really educate you and to plan your life after school,” Maali suggests. Asked to share advice with UIC Business students just starting off in their careers, he recommends learning to be flexible and embrace change.
 
Maali says, “Be flexible in the way you view potential experiences. It’s not all about a straight line. Sometimes you’re going to wander off the line and experience things that are not necessarily directly related to what your end goals are, but those experiences will make you better as a whole.  Be open to opportunities that will make you a well-rounded individual.”

This October, Maali was named to the list of 2017 Business Leaders of Color by Chicago United.  Biennially, this group is selected to represent remarkable professionals who drive transformational change in the city’s business community.  Maali was nominated as a result of his community involvement, recruiting work at UIC Business, his leadership in PwC’s diversity program, and his individual professional success.

Reflecting on this accomplishment, Maali says, “My view is that diversity is not just an initiative. To me it is about an acceptance that we live in a world that is comprised of all different people and you don’t all have to be the same to be successful and relevant. When I think about being part of [the Business Leaders of Color] group, I look at that as evidence of that belief.” 

He sees the diversity of UIC’s student body as predictor of future success for alumni and a strength to be highlighted by the school.

Maali says, “To be successful, organizations must attract talent that is diverse: diversity of experience, diversity of ethnic backgrounds, diversity of religions, diversity of gender. When I think about the student population at UIC along all these points, it’s an incredible group of kids.”

Steam your suits and make your resume copies, the Spring 2018 Business & Technology Career Fair takes place on Tuesday, February 13 from 11a.m. to 2p.m. in the Student Center East Illinois Rooms. In order to make the most of the day, add these reminders to your calendar and plan accordingly. Your future awaits, don’t wait for it. 

Get Feedback
With the addition of a completed fall internship and new skills from last semester’s classes your resume will look much different than it did the last time you sent out applications. Before you press print on the copy machine, make sure you get some other sets of eyes on your new and improved resume.  The Business Career Center still has some available advising appointments. Also consider asking a friend with an eye for copy editing to do a final proof before printing off the recommended 20 copies.

Plan in Advance
Don’t let the morning of the Career Fair be the first time you’ve looked at the list of employers in attendance or said your improved elevator pitch out loud. View the list of employers on the UIC Business App, and follow the Business Career Center’s advice on prioritizing employers and crafting your message. And of course, make sure you find, clean and iron your business professional clothes the week before. 

Fine-Tune Your Digital Profile
Just like a clear resume is essential to a productive career fair, updating your digital networking profile can be key to continuing this success going forward.  Update (or create!) your LinkedIn profile according to Career Center Director of Operations Jeff Wilson’s advice. Your profile should include a professional headshot and reflect your career goals and experience. Make sure to join relevant groups and companies like UIC, and when you graduate, the UIC Business Alumni group. These will signal your career interests to recruiters.

Have questions about the Career Fair or need more interview preparation resources? Contact the UIC Business Career Center.

Groupon will be at the February 13 Business Career Fair, and is looking for May graduates to fill open sales roles in Merchant Development and Business Development.  UIC Business caught up with Lauren Mullins, senior sales campus recruiter at Groupon, during a branding day organized by the Business Career Center.

UIC Business: What kind candidate is Groupon looking for?
LM: People who do well here have an entrepreneurial spirit, are self-motivated, super coachable, resilient, and organized. I’d say those are the biggest things we look for in terms of transferable skills. We’ve identified that those are the skills that our most successful sales reps bring to the table. We can teach anyone how to sell as long as they’ve got those core skills.

UIC Business: What’s the first thing that you look for when you look at a resume?
LM: Me personally, I’m a stickler for how a resume is organized and formatted. Is the formatting consistent? Are there formatting errors? If someone isn’t able to pay attention to those details and have their resume be organized when it really matters, when they’re trying to find a job, I really question whether or not they would be organized in their day-to-day job when their guard is down. Every recruiter looks at something different. For me, I’m super detail oriented, so that’s something that will be a red flag. Outside of that, I look for applicable experience to the role I’m recruiting for.

UIC Business: What is a question that all candidates should be prepared to answer and have a response ready to go?
LM: There’s probably three really big ones: Why are you interested in this company? Why are you interested in this role? And what are your career goals? Those are “gimme” questions that any recruiter from any company is going to initially ask. And the answers have to be something with substance. It’s got to be more than “oh, Groupon’s a really cool company, I hear you don’t have a dress code and it’s a startup culture,” or “I don’t know, I thought sales would be cool because I can talk to people.” We like to hear some deeper insights, a little more than surface level.

UIC Business: If you had the day off on this snowy Tuesday, what Chicago adventure would you go on?
LM: I would probably go to a cat cafe, I hear there’s one open on Belmont in Lakeview, and sip on some tea, hang out with kittens and plan my trip to Italy this summer. 

UIC Business: What’s your favorite discovery that you’ve made through a Groupon?
LM: My husband and I always go down to St. Petersburg, FL. His family has a condo on the beach there so we usually use that as our winter vacation to escape from the cold. So typically we go to the beach, go to some restaurants and that’s about it. But this past year we went paddle boarding and also rented kayaks and explored some of the waterways in St.Pete. It was something we had never done before, and it was a way to see the area from a different perspective. We used Groupons for both, so we supported Groupon and local business at the same time.

Have questions about the Career Fair or need interview preparation resources? Contact the UIC Business Career Center.

Groupon will be at the February 13 Business Career Fair, and is looking for May graduates to fill open sales roles in Merchant Development and Business Development.  UIC Business caught up with Lauren Mullins, senior sales campus recruiter at Groupon, during a branding day organized by the Business Career Center.

UIC Business: What kind candidate is Groupon looking for?
LM: People who do well here have an entrepreneurial spirit, are self-motivated, super coachable, resilient, and organized. I’d say those are the biggest things we look for in terms of transferable skills. We’ve identified that those are the skills that our most successful sales reps bring to the table. We can teach anyone how to sell as long as they’ve got those core skills.

UIC Business: What’s the first thing that you look for when you look at a resume?
LM: Me personally, I’m a stickler for how a resume is organized and formatted. Is the formatting consistent? Are there formatting errors? If someone isn’t able to pay attention to those details and have their resume be organized when it really matters, when they’re trying to find a job, I really question whether or not they would be organized in their day-to-day job when their guard is down. Every recruiter looks at something different. For me, I’m super detail oriented, so that’s something that will be a red flag. Outside of that, I look for applicable experience to the role I’m recruiting for.

UIC Business: What is a question that all candidates should be prepared to answer and have a response ready to go?
LM: There’s probably three really big ones: Why are you interested in this company? Why are you interested in this role? And what are your career goals? Those are “gimme” questions that any recruiter from any company is going to initially ask. And the answers have to be something with substance. It’s got to be more than “oh, Groupon’s a really cool company, I hear you don’t have a dress code and it’s a startup culture,” or “I don’t know, I thought sales would be cool because I can talk to people.” We like to hear some deeper insights, a little more than surface level.

UIC Business: If you had the day off on this snowy Tuesday, what Chicago adventure would you go on?
LM: I would probably go to a cat cafe, I hear there’s one open on Belmont in Lakeview, and sip on some tea, hang out with kittens and plan my trip to Italy this summer. 

UIC Business: What’s your favorite discovery that you’ve made through a Groupon?
LM: My husband and I always go down to St. Petersburg, FL. His family has a condo on the beach there so we usually use that as our winter vacation to escape from the cold. So typically we go to the beach, go to some restaurants and that’s about it. But this past year we went paddle boarding and also rented kayaks and explored some of the waterways in St.Pete. It was something we had never done before, and it was a way to see the area from a different perspective. We used Groupons for both, so we supported Groupon and local business at the same time.

Have questions about the Career Fair or need interview preparation resources? Contact the UIC Business Career Center.

PwC is currently recruiting for Winter 2019 internships, as well as their Early Identification Programs (Dec. 2019 or later grad date) such as Start, Career Preview, and Elevate.  Applications are due the night of Tuesday, February 13th on the PwC website. UIC Business caught up with Grace Wood, talent acquisition senior associate and lead recruiter for Chicago universities, at a branding day in Douglas Hall where she shared some insight into the PwC recruiting process.

UIC Business: What are some indicators that a candidate will be successful at PwC? 
GW: We look for candidates that are versatile and ready for any experience that comes their way on the job.  Professional services means that you will be serving many different clients and working on different problems and projects, so you are never going to enter the job with ALL of the information that you'll need. As long as you are ready to learn and adapt quickly, hit the ground running, and be open to new experiences, then you would be a great candidate!

UIC Business: What advice do you have for PwC candidates about organizing their resumes and getting them noticed? 
GW: Resumes are definitely important, but my biggest recommendation to "get noticed" is to network, network, network.  The best thing you can do to make sure your resume goes into the "yes" pile is to network with that firm & recruiter by attending their events, etc.  That way, the company gets to know you, but you also get to know the company and see if it would be a good fit for you.  

Besides that, my best resume tips are to tailor it based on the job you are applying for. Emphasize and prioritize the relevant experiences and skills for that job.  And of course keep it visually clean and appealing.

UIC Business: What's a question that you wish candidates asked at interviews/during the recruiting process?
GW: A specific question doesn't come to mind, but my best piece of advice is to ask questions for which you actually care about the answers. For instance, questions that would help you determine if it's your dream job and a good fit for you.  It's better to do that than ask the questions you think you should ask and are told to ask - the difference is always pretty obvious to the people you're interacting with.  Remember, an interview goes both ways.

UIC Business:  What's something you've read recently that changed the way you thought about your career? 
GW: I'm a big quote person, so I like this one I came across the other day, that can apply both in my career & personal life - "Stay Humble. Work Hard. Be Kind."  

UIC Business:  What's the most creative way you've heard of someone celebrating the end of busy season? 
GW: I've heard of so many good ones!  Boat cruises with the team, taking a few weeks off to travel to Europe, taking the team to the SPiN ping pong venue. The list goes on!

Have questions about the Career Fair or need interview preparation resources? Contact the UIC Business Career Center.

We would like to introduce you to a new member of the College of Business Administration's Advising Staff, Jamie (Janmarie) Galeher. Jamie will serve as the adviser for the BBA Online Program within CBA. Please read below to get to know Jamie!

Favorite Chicago Activities/ Places:

My favorite place in Chicago is Navy Pier.  I love all of the activities offered at Navy Pier, and watching the activity on lake Michigan is also very interesting!

Favorite Chicago Restaurants:

Wow!! I have so many, but my all-time favorites include Frontera Grill, and the Maple Tree Inn (slightly South of Chicago in Blue Island).

Hometown:

Born and raised in Chicago!

Tell us a little about your personal/professional background?

I have extensive experience in business management and changed careers to higher education 8 years ago.  During my recent 8 years I have taught, advised and worked as a career specialist in higher education.

How did you end up working at UIC?

Once I moved into higher education I set a goal to transition into a larger university that has a very active campus, and now I am here!

What are you most excited to do in your new role?

I am most excited to grow the BBA program.  I hope to make many connections with students enrolled in our online program, and attract many new students.

What critical information should students know about?

I have been where you are today.  I have an M.B.A. from a brick and mortar school, and an M.H.S.E. from an online school.  I earned both of these degrees while working full time and having a family.  I am here to support you!

Be sure to follow UIC Business on social media to stay up to date on upcoming events campus activities, business news, and fun things going on around Chicago:

Instagram: @UICBusiness
Twitter: @UICBusiness
Facebook Page: UIC Business 

While we’re already halfway through the Spring 2018 semester and just starting to see some spring temperatures on campus, let’s take a look back at some UIC Business highlights with a midterm social media recap.

UIC Business Swims with the Sharks

For UIC Business, 2018 started out with national recognition.  Sophomore Martin Dimitrov of SnapClips and alumnus Nick Sky, ’13, of ChangEd were featured and received investment offers on the January 28th episode of SharkTank.  The UIC Business community looks forward to following these Flames founders and their companies during this exciting year.

We would like to introduce you to a new member of the UIC Business Student Services staff, Mayra Sanchez. Mayra joined the Student Services team as an Academic Adviser this January, and she will be working specifically with UIC Business Scholars. Prior to this role, Mayra worked as part of the college's Events Team for the past three years. We have put together some fun facts about Mayra, so please read on. And make sure to say hello when you see her around!

Favorite Chicago Activities/ Places: I love attending summer concerts and festivals. I am a big country music fan so you will definitely find me at a few country music concerts throughout the year. I also enjoy talking walks along the Riverwalk (Chicago and Naperville) and visiting rooftops in the summer.

Favorite Chicago Restaurants: I have a long list…but I definitely love pizza, tapas, and seafood. Some of my favorites are Café Ba-Ba Reeba, Tapas Valencia, Lou Malnatis, and Catch 35. I love dining “al fresco” in the summer so I am always looking for restaurants that have a patio. Meson Sabika in Naperville is my favorite.

Hometown: Melrose Park, IL

Tell us a little about your personal/professional background: Prior to becoming an academic advisor, I served as an event planner for UIC Business for three years. I was able to plan and execute over 150 events and establish relationships throughout the college and university. Prior to that, I was a Marketing Supervisor for the Hershey Company where I worked on local marketing and branding for five years. I earned my B.S. in Marketing from UIC and my MBA from Roosevelt University.

How did you end up working at UIC? As a former undergraduate student, I always envisioned coming back to UIC. I truly enjoyed my time as a student and love everything that UIC has to offer, its diverse student body, dedicated faculty, quality education, and its array of resources. It’s been great working at UIC for these past three years and I look forward to many more in this new role.

What are you most excited to do in your new role? I am looking forward to working with the Business Scholars students as their advisor, getting to know them and offering them all my advice and support.

What critical information should students know about? I am available and will be flexible for our students. I am here to offer my advice or just to talk about anything that’s on their minds. As a UIC alumna, I hope to also serve as a resource for their current and future goals.