About
the Program
Frequently
Asked Questions
If I’m not sure I want a career in “Corporate America,” should I still enroll in the Prebusiness Program?
Business includes developing an idea into a product or service, obtaining financing, organizing people to deliver the product or service to clients, and ensuring the ongoing viability of the organization. Business is therefore a crucial dimension that must be handled by any organization, not just the firms of “Corporate America.” Nonprofit organizations (e.g., churches, charities, hospitals, schools, museums) need people who are trained in business as much as commercial firms. You should still consider enrolling in the Prebusiness Program regardless of your career preference.
Is it possible for someone with a liberal arts education to "make it" in the business world?
A liberal arts degree is the perfect preparation for a career in business. Students of the liberal arts learn how to think critically. Rather than focus on specific technical skills, they learn to read, write and communicate effectively. Many of the top executives in business today are products of a liberal arts education. In fact, most of them will tell you that it was the liberal arts education that prepared them for the challenges presented in today's dynamic economy. Holy Cross has thousands of alumni working in business areas such as finance, sales, marketing and management.
What is the Holy Cross Prebusiness Program?
This advisory program is designed to assist students as they prepare to transition from Holy Cross to the business world. Consistent with the College's mission to prepare students to become future leaders in the business world, the program provides guidance for students as they work to develop an individual academic plan. The program provides help in three specific ways: 1) advice on the student's academic program, 2) promotion of participation in the College's Executive-In-Residence and summer internship programs, and 3) special programming.
Do I need to take specific courses as part of the Prebusiness Program?
There are no specific courses that must be taken in order to participate in the Prebusiness Program. Depending on your interests, it might be a good idea to take some courses in economics, accounting, or mathematics. Some careers might benefit from coursework in psychology, the arts or sciences. It's always a good idea to take some courses that are writing-intensive. The Prebusiness advisor is available to meet with you to discuss the academic plan that is right for you. You will be encouraged to select a major for which you have a real passion. You can also add a minor or special concentration depending on your interests.
What is the Executive-In-Residence Program?
The first Executive-In-Residence Program was held during the five days of the 2005 Spring Break. Each day focused on a business topic which was taught by a team of executives who are top-notch in their fields. The 20 students accepted into the program were further assigned into work groups, each of which worked on a specific project throughout the week. The groups then presented their projects to a panel of executives on the last day. This was an intensive, hands-on program which the participants found richly rewarding in terms of educational content, real-life business experience, and networking. The next Executive-In-Residence Program will be held during the 2006 Spring Break.
How does the Summer Internship Program work?
The College established a Summer Internship Program in connection with the Prebusiness Program. Each year, various employers offer challenging paid internships to Holy Cross students. Students apply to the program and are selected based on their application letter, grades, leadership, extracurricular activities and an interview. Most of the participating employers are seeking students who are completing their junior year, though some will consider talented sophomores. The majority of the internships are in the Northeast.
What kind of special programming does the Prebusiness Program offer?
Each year, the Prebusiness Program offers a variety of events for students. The Ciocca Entrepreneurial Seminar Series (made possible thanks to a generous gift from Arthur A. Ciocca '59) features a special series of speakers and seminars on issues confronting the entrepreneur (and all people in business). In 2001, for example, John Peterman '63 visited campus to speak to students about taking risks, making mistakes and learning from failure. Mr. Peterman ran a very successful catalog company and was portrayed in that role on the television show, “Seinfeld.” After the failure of his business, he wrote a book and was the subject of a case study for Harvard Business School . Similar programs are planned for upcoming semesters. For upcoming events, please visit http://www.holycross.edu/departments/pre-business/preBcalendar.html
If you have an interest in a particular area, please let the Prebusiness advisor know and we can work together to develop a program.
Does a special Prebusiness designation go on my transcript?
Since the program is primarily advisory and not curricular, there is no special designation on your transcript. You may refer to your participation in the program on your resume.
What about getting an MBA after Holy Cross?
Many students are interested in going on for a graduate degree in business. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is usually a two-year program offered by graduate schools of business. Most of the leading programs in the country now require students to have worked for several years before they apply to the program. Students with an interest in an MBA do well to follow the general advice for getting a job: earn good grades, take challenging courses in a variety of subjects, participate meaningfully in extracurricular activities, and use summer internships to gain valuable experience.
For more information on the Prebusiness Program, contact:
Prof. David Chu
Prebusiness Faculty Advisor
College of the Holy Cross
One College Street
Worcester , MA 01610-2395
(508) 793-2206
E-mail: dchu@holycross.edu
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