About the Program
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 are, in fact, engaged in a business activity any time you manage a program or an organization. Thus, 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 advancement in business. Students trained in 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, 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) opportunity to participate in the College's Executive Leadership Workshop, Summer Business Program, and Summer Internship Programs; and 3) other 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 accounting, finance, economics, and 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 Leadership Workshop?
The Executive Leadership Workshop is held during the five days of Spring Break. The goal is to provide students with a quick overview of what business is all about. Each day focuses on a business topic which is taught by a team of executives who are top-notch in their fields. The approximately 35 students accepted into the program are assigned into groups, each of which works on a specific project throughout the week. The groups then present their projects to a panel of executives on the last day. This is an intensive, hands-on program which past participants have found to be richly rewarding in terms of educational content, real-life business experience, and networking. The topics for each day are: Starting and Building a Company; Taking a Company Public; What Can Go Wrong and How to Fix It?; How Do You Keep a 100-Year-Old Institution Growing Strong?; Bringing It All Together—Student Presentations.
What is the Summer Business Program?
The Summer Business Program is a 3-week program designed to help students gain an in-depth understanding of business so that they are better trained and prepared for the marketplace. The program begins around the end of May and concludes around mid-June. It is comprised of four sequential modules: (1) ethics, (2) skills, (3) leadership, (4) entrepreneurship and business life cycle. The content of these four modules are delivered through formal classroom sessions, site visit to a local business, dinner/luncheon speakers, and a team project. The majority of teachers are recruited from experienced alumni/ae in various business fields, and some faculty members of the Economics Department.
How does the Summer Internship Program work?
Each year, students apply to the program and are selected for the challenging internships based on their application letter, grades, leadership, co-curricular 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 paid 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 features speakers and seminars on issues confronting the entrepreneur, and all people in business. In January 2007, for example, John Mahoney ’73, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of Staples, Inc., spoke to students about his life journey as an English major from Holy Cross to his current position at Staples. We also offer a Career Workshop Series in which young alumni from various fields visit campus to speak to students about their particular business and how to obtain entry-level positions. The Women in Business Network seeks to link women students and alumnae together in a mentoring relationship through its annual conference and various social activities in major cities such as Boston and New York.
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 co-curricular activities, and take advantage of summer internships to gain valuable experience.
For more information on the Prebusiness Program, contact:
Prof. David Chu
Director of Entrepreneurial Studies and Prebusiness Faculty Advisor
College of the Holy Cross
One College Street
Worcester, MA 01610-2395
(508) 793-2206
E-mail: dchu@holycross.edu
www.holycross.edu/academics/prebusiness/