Marshall Launches Summer Business Program for Non-Majors

Los Angeles — The USC Marshall School of Business is pleased to announce the first Summer Global Business Program, an intensive four-week program for non-business majors, to be held at the University Park Campus from July 5 to July 31, 2009.

Open to U.S. and international undergraduates with junior and senior standing, as well as recent graduates, the program aims to expose participants to courses and activities that are a part of a Marshall undergraduate’s course of study. It is currently the only one of its kind in Southern California.

The inaugural program’s curriculum includes five business topics: strategy, organization, finance, marketing and operations. Students will learn how to develop a compelling strategic vision that leads to sustainable competitive advantage and designing organizations to achieve this; obtain an overview of modern theory and practice of financial management and develop a framework to analyze fundamental financial decisions; learn about the substantive and procedural aspects of marketing management, critical analytical thinking and effective communication; and understand the key issues, concepts and problems of operations as well as ideas in process analysis and improvement that will be useful in analyzing and solving problems.

Within this framework, students will learn through lectures, case studies, corporate visits and enrichment workshops. These enrichment sessions include networking, American business and dining etiquette, resume writing and presentation skills.

“A program like this is useful to students who haven’t studied business and would benefit from having an understanding of business basics,” said Elaine Padilla, assistant director and co-creator of the program. “Especially in today’s competitive job-seeking environment, it may give these students an edge over their competition.”

The program, which offers a certificate upon completion but is currently non-credit, will be taught by Marshall faculty. Through immersion in team-oriented, globally focused experiences, students will develop critical skills and knowledge that are necessary for any profession.

“This program will help students learn about the different aspects of business and obtain skills that will prepare them for a competitive job market, and make them better informed investors, consumers and global citizens,” said Ravi Kumar, professor of operations management and executive director of experiential learning programs at the Marshall School. “Students will get to enjoy Southern California outside the classroom too.”

Participants will also become part of USC’s alumni network, which is now 200,000 strong.

A maximum of 50 participants will be admitted into the program. Applicants must be in good academic standing at their home institutions and demonstrate proficiency in English (unless course of instruction at their home institution is English).

The program is still accepting applications for participation. The current deadline is March 16, 2009.

For more information, please contact Elaine Padilla at (213) 740-9207 or visit www.marshall.usc.edu/globalsummer.