Business Week returns to RMU

With Business Week quickly approaching, Robert Morris University and the School of Business are busy finalizing plans for the second annual event.  Last year’s inaugural event was themed, “Setting Sail: Charting Your Own Course,” but this year’s Business Week is entitled “It’s A Jungle Out There.”

Designed to help students prepare for their future careers in the business field, the event will be running through Feb. 23-26 in the Sewall Center.

Dr. John Beehler, Dean of the School of Business, is looking forward to this year’s Business Week.

“This is our second annual Business Week, last year was the first Business week and I’m very proud to say it was a smashing success,” said Beehler.  “We had over 1,700 students participate, members of the business community participate widely and it really provided some great insights last year.  At the end of last year’s, students were already asking about next year’s business week.”

Business Week will consist of a number of sessions dedicated to a wide variety of topics.  This year’s sessions include some of the following: non-profit leadership, marketing, accounting, finance law, executive leadership, how to network, selling yourself in the interview, surviving and thriving in the workplace and panelist discussions.

“Not only is it a great opportunity for our students to help prepare themselves for their careers, it’s been organized by students,” said Beehler.

The Business Week committee consists of student leaders of business groups, faculty, staff and administration.  Beehler said that two sessions were put together by the new campus organization, Women in Business.  RMU Alumni Carrie Coghill, will be presenting in the first of two sessions by Women in Business.

Christopher Breakwell, President/CEO of 31st Street Studios, will give this year’s keynote address.  Unlike last year, this year’s keynote address will be Wed., Feb. 25 at 6 p.m.  Attendees will learn how the 31^st Street Studios company was built and receive advice on beginning their own career.

Located in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, 31^st Street Studios is dedicated to film and productions services.  Recent film productions undertaken by the company include Jack Reacher, Love and Other Drugs, The Next Three Days and Unstoppable.  31^st Street Studios has also worked on music productions for The Fray and Owl City.

Similar to last year, students who attend session during Business Week will be able to receive credit for class or their Student Engagement Transcript (SET).  Differing from last year, students will be asked to show their freedom card, which will be scanned for recording attendance and SET.

“Student engagement is excellent at RMU and we want to keep it that way,” said Beehler. “This is a good opportunity for students to get their SET credit and learn about potential careers.”

Also new to this year’s event is the raffling of Amazon gift cards each day. Depending on how many sessions a student attends, determines how many chances the student has at winning.  For those students who attend more than five sessions, their name will be put into a raffle for a $100 Amazon gift card.

“Not everyone who works in the business field has a business degree.  This (Business Week) will be beneficial to the entire campus.  It’s a student focused event, it encourages student engagement and career preparation which RMU is all about,” said Beehler.

Be sure to check out RMU Sentry Media for updates regarding the 2^nd Annual Robert Morris University Business Week.