Opportunities for Experience
Employers continually express a strong preference for candidates with experience that goes beyond the academic credentials. At UAB School of Business, students have an array of opportunities to gain valuable real-world experience that complements their academic background and puts them ahead of the competition.
Community Service- Whether offering free tax preparation services to the Birmingham community, partnering with local businesses to help them develop management and marketing strategies, or teaching business principles to elementary school students, the chance for students to serve as community leaders and network within their industries of choice boosts their already notable classroom experience.
Internships- Through our internship programs, students gain valuable hands-on experience and skills, make important personal contacts within their field of interest, and receive academic credit. Numerous internships are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. Internships often lead to full time positions for students upon graduation.
Business Analysis Lab Student Scholar- The Marketing & Industrial Distribution department secures funding from business and government to fund research and student support for semester-long applied research projects. Faculty work one-on-one with students to solve real business problems. Faculty guides all projects, provide hands-on technical expertise, ensure a high level of quality from the student teams, and coach students in their presentations to clients. In addition, Lab Faculty delivers instructional sessions to students dealing with research methods and data analysis. Students receive professional experience and academic credit.
Green & Gold Fund- The UAB Green and Gold Fund, a student-managed investment portfolio venture sponsored by the UAB Finance Department, has over $400,000 in assets and provides students with valuable real-world experience through an exciting, hands-on learning opportunity.
The School of Business Honors Program- Students receive enhanced credentials and outstanding opportunities in career development and networking through a specially designed curriculum focused on leadership, strategy, and business ethics. Current and former CEOs and senior executives from prominent companies participate in the program by visiting the School of Business to discuss corporate strategy with students. Some of these CEOs and senior executives have represented the following companies:
- BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Books-A-Million, Inc.
- Energen Corp.
- Ernst & Young
- HealthSouth Corp.
- KPMG
- Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
- Medical Properties Trust, Inc.
- Protective Life Corp.
- Regions Financial Corp.
- Time Warner, Inc.
Additional Opportunities
Career Services- Provides professional career counseling, coaching, and consultation. Students receive assistance with resume writing, interview preparation, and job search strategies. Information is provided on the job market, career options, salary, and graduate school. Career Services brings students and employers together through career fairs, on campus interviews, and resume referrals.
Job Shadowing- A job shadowing experience provides the individual with the opportunity to observe a worker on the job in the course of his or her actual workday. The worker agrees to be shadowed or followed by a student who is interested in learning more about his or her particular line of work. The student accompanies the worker in the performance of his or her routine tasks and gathers valuable real world information about the field, the particular occupation, and the job setting. Because information gathered under these on-site circumstances tends to be accurate and authentic, the student is able to get a true "feel" of the profession.
Mentorships- A mentorship is a relationship set up between two individuals: a mentor and a protégé. The mentor is an individual who is actively involved in a professional pursuit. A protégé is an individual who meets with the mentor on an occasional basis to obtain firsthand advice. As a protégé, you can gather helpful information directly from someone in your field of interest.
Professional Sales Certificate- Students can enhance their resume and career possibilities by earning the UAB Professional Sales Certificate. Students receive exceptional sales training that is officially recognized on transcripts upon graduation.
Retail Excellence Initiative- The Marketing & Industrial Distribution Department is developing a regional center for retailing excellence. Our location in the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham where numerous corporate and regional retail offices and many large retailers and property development and management companies are located provides unique opportunities for student internships, executives-in-residence, graduate placements and scholarly research.
Student and Professional Groups- Numerous on-campus student groups and professional organizations in the Birmingham area offer students a chance to get involved in their area of interest and network with others.
Study Abroad- The business school has international initiatives in China, Europe, and India. Students enjoy the opportunity to study international business, another language, and participate in cultural activities.