insideKellstadt

Student Group Spotlight: DePaul Net Impact (DNI)

Tuesday, April 02 2013 11:22:21 AM

In the third post for Student Group Spotlight, DePaul Net Impact Co-president Sean O’Farrell explains DNI’s mission. He shares how the group lets graduate students at DePaul University get involved with social entrepreneurship in Chicago and nationwide.

Mission/Purpose: We will mobilize a new generation to use their careers to drive transformational change in their workplace and the world.

When and how was the group founded? Net Impact is a national organization that was established in 1992. The DePaul chapter was founded in 2008 when our faculty advisor, Associate Professor Patrick J. Murphy, and a group of students decided they wanted to get involved with social entrepreneurship and using their business skills to make an impact, specifically through performing pro-bono consulting in the communities around DePaul. Net Impact has an established network and valuable resources that made it the ideal vehicle to pursue those goals.

How many members does the group have now? Who can join? Net Impact has over 20,000 members in 280 chapters around the world. Our chapter has about 80 active members. To join, you simply visit netimpact.org/join and select DePaul as your chapter. Our chapter is a graduate-level chapter for enrolled DePaul students, but we encourage anyone interested in our activities to reach out. Basic membership is free, but advanced tiers provide access to the job board, member network and more.

Biggest recent accomplishment: We are very proud of the B-Corps team. This is a Net Impact-affiliated annual trip to provide pro-bono consulting to organizations in underserved areas in America. This year, 18 full-time MBA students spent one week of their winter break in New Orleans. They worked on a variety of projects – business planning, financial analysis, marketing, etc. – for several nonprofits and a social enterprise incubator. All of the agencies were very grateful, and the teams made a really meaningful impact.

The B-Corps, service in general and the DePaul Community Consulting Corps (D3C) are at the heart of DePaul Net Impact. D3C provides opportunities for MBA students to make a positive impact while gaining real business experience through local pro-bono consulting projects for socially responsible organizations. We have recently initiated a consulting project that focuses on organizational structure and strategic staffing for a nonprofit agency in Chicago.

How can students/alumni benefit from joining your group? The three primary benefits for members are opportunities to:

• Lead change in your community, in your workplace or on your campus while developing crucial skills to move you forward.
• Learn about careers in sustainability, corporate responsibility, social entrepreneurship and more.
• Connect to people already making an impact in companies large and small, nonprofits, and social ventures to share ideas and find out how others do it.

How has the organization helped you personally? Service helps keep things in focus. If you allow yourself to get wrapped up in your career path, you can lose sight of how rewarding and meaningful it is to serve others. At the end of the day, the projects students do in Net Impact are often the things they are most proud of and that provide the deepest sense of fulfillment.

How can people learn more about the group? Visit our website at depaulnetimpact.org, visit the national website at netimpact.org (where you must sign up to join DePaul’s chapter), find us on social media or email us at depaulnetimpact@gmail.com. Also, come to our events!

Do you want to share details of your Kellstadt student group with insideKellstadt readers? If so, please contact site manager Jennifer Leopoldt to learn more about the Student Group Spotlight.

Career Management Center Expands Resources for International Students

Wednesday, March 20 2013 02:27:55 PM

By Megan Ouimet, Kellstadt Career Management Center (CMC) – As DePaul has expanded its global reach, the Kellstadt international student population has increased. In response, the CMC has introduced programs and resources specifically designed for these students.

The growing international student population has created a need for a more specialized approach in developing co-curricular programs to support and enhance each student’s academic, personal and professional growth. Career development is a particularly challenging element for international students because of barriers surrounding communication, work authorization and U.S. job-search strategy.

One of the newer CMC resources was me, a counseling intern recruited to the CMC team to focus solely on becoming the interim international student career guru. I hit the ground running as the fall semester brought a rush of international students ready to begin their career development. As a newcomer to both career services and international student populations, my initial reactions may have matched those of our first-year students: excitement and apprehension. However, my fellow CMC colleagues couldn’t have provided better expert knowledge or been more prepared. They had a line-up of programs and workshops covering topics such as “How to Prepare for a Career Fair” and walk-in resume review hours for students to begin adapting to an American-style resume. Career Peer Mentors, current Kellstadt students available for walk-in hours throughout the quarter to assist with resume and job search advice, also make significant contributions to the CMC’s efforts to help international students.

As DePaul has now transitioned through two seasons during my time here, so have the CMC’s efforts in developing engaging and supportive programs for Kellstadt’s international students. We have re-directed our focus from large-group workshops pertaining to career-related topics to small career-counseling groups and peer-driven panels. These programs give students the opportunity to discuss the cultural and practical elements of the U.S. job search, while also providing a positive support system as students are dealing with challenges of acculturation, communication and work/internship eligibility.

Now that nerves have calmed and career development has improved, for both myself and our international students, we now look ahead to expand upon the CMC’s programs and resources to enhance each student’s experience at DePaul.

Megan Ouimet is a Counseling Intern in the Kellstadt Career Management Center and a graduate student in the counseling program in the College of Education at DePaul University.

Student Group Spotlight: DePaul MBA Association

Thursday, February 28 2013 02:13:32 PM

In the second post in a new series, Nora McCarthy, president of the DePaul MBA Association (MBAA), shares details about the student group she leads. Learn about the MBA Association’s background and how it serves MBA students and alumni at DePaul University.

Mission/purpose: The DePaul MBA Association strives to enhance the Kellstadt experience for students, alumni and faculty of the graduate school of business. This goal is met by providing networking events, charity involvement and opportunities for professional growth.

When and how was the group founded? The DePaul MBA Association was founded in 1998. Ron Vodicka was elected as first board president with five additional board members. The board has since grown to nine members.

How many members does the group have now? Who can join? The MBA Association currently has 3,000 members. These members are both current students and alumni. MBA and M.S. students are encouraged to join the organization while attending school and are also welcome to attend events after they have graduated.

Biggest recent accomplishment: On Feb. 16, the MBA Association hosted more than 150 students, alumni and faculty at our first Driehaus Founder’s Ball. The ball celebrated the 100th anniversary of DePaul’s Driehaus College of Business and was held at the Altitude Room in the W Hotel, where guests mingled over great food and cocktails—including the signature "Blue Demon Mojito." Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed a photo booth, bought T-shirts to benefit Metropolitan Family Services, and danced the night away with the beautiful city skyline in the background. Thank you to all who attended this event and made it such a wonderful night!

How can students/alumni benefit from joining your group? The DePaul MBA Association is currently looking for students who would like to become board members during the 2013-2014 school year. The MBA Association Board is composed of a group of student leaders elected by their peers to help grow and manage the organization’s initiatives and monthly events. MBAA board positions are open to all MBA and M.S. students and are voted on annually in April through an online election. Board members serve a one-year term for the next school year (June through May) and attend monthly strategy meetings.

How has the organization has helped you personally? The MBA Association has helped me to foster genuine relationships with fellow students in a fun, laid-back environment. Most part-time students also have full-time jobs and sometimes even families to attend to outside of class. It can sometimes be difficult to bond with students in the classroom setting because of all of these external pressures. The MBAA events are an excellent way to meet new people and to form lasting professional relationships.

How can people learn more about the group? Please email Nora McCarthy, the current MBA Association president, if you are interested in more information about the MBAA Board.


Current MBAA board members enjoy the Driehaus Founder’s Ball with the group’s advisor, Assistant Dean Christa Hinton.

Do you want to share details of your Kellstadt student group with insideKellstadt readers? If so, please contact site manager Jennifer Leopoldt to learn more about the Student Group Spotlight.

Cultural Immersion, Business Visits Add Up to Memorable China Trip

Monday, January 28 2013 02:40:26 PM

By Carolyn O’Neill, MBA Student – Traveling to Shanghai and Beijing during DePaul University’s short-term business seminar in December 2012 was an unquantifiable experience. Still, the knowledge I gained on the trip is backed up by some impressive statistics.

Two faculty advisors, 10 days, 19 students and 27 hours of air travel allowed for an unforgettable experience in one country made up of 1.3 billion people (over four times larger than the United Sates). On top of that, we saw a Great Wall 5,500 miles long (longer than the distance traveled from Los Angeles to New York) and gained immeasurable knowledge from the business, culture and lifestyle of the Chinese in both cities.

Whether the company was global or China-based, each business visit not only created platforms to learn about opportunities across industries, but also showcased the importance of understanding business culture and history in an international, rapidly paced environment. Experiencing Baosteel, a state-owned iron and steel manufacturer outside of Shanghai that is rising to become one of the world’s largest steel producers; visiting Chicago-based firm Motorola in Beijing to gain an understanding of living, working and succeeding in the Chinese market; and touring Johnson Controls, a production line of interior systems for automobiles—these are just three examples of the knowledge our group learned and shared in our daily business trips.

The cultural immersion trips played a vital role in the trip as well. From the day-to-day conversation with our tour guides, we were able to learn about the historical past and future of the world’s next super power. Walking the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square were not just experiences we thought we might only read about, but led to better understanding of a country we often solely associated with “Made in China.”

Chinese cuisine, shopping and nightlife were also major components in appreciating the lifestyle and rich culture while forming relationships among friends new and old. From viewing the architecture of the city from our bus (or in traffic!), to sharing traditional Chinese meals filled with more meats, fish, veggies, grains and soups than our bodies could possibly consume (or better yet decipher!), to enjoying a drink at a traditional Kung Fu show, we experienced life-altering learnings we will be able to apply to future jobs, travels or simple conversations among family, friends and business associates.

I reflect daily on insights about China’s business, culture and lifestyle that I gained though the objectives and goals set in DePaul’s business seminar. Would I recommend the China business seminar to a fellow DePaul student? Of course. Would another international opportunity be as worthwhile? I bet. That said, as a full-time working professional studying for an MBA part-time to help obtain my professional goals and personal aspirations, my experience in China was not only one I will be able to leverage in the years to come, but one I will remember for a lifetime.



Carolyn O’Neill is an MBA student concentrating in New Product Development in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. She will graduate in December 2013.

**Students, are you interested in learning about international business seminars for Summer 2013? Please join the Study Abroad Program office and the International Business Seminar faculty leaders at an information session on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 5 – 5:45 p.m. in the DePaul Center, Suite 5800. Pizza and soda will be provided. Learn more by visiting the Study Abroad website.

Student Group Spotlight: Kellstadt Finance Community (KFC)

Thursday, January 17 2013 03:01:36 PM

In the first post in a new series, Joyce Chen (BUS MS ’11), president and founder of Kellstadt Finance Community, shares details about her student group. Learn about KFC’s background and how it serves master-level finance students at DePaul University.

Mission/purpose:
We aim to build a bridge between school and the real financial world in order to help students with their job/internship hunting. KFC is the first official group that serves specifically master-level finance students at DePaul University, including students studying MS in Finance, MS in Computational Finance and MBAs with a concentration in Finance.

When and how was the group founded?
We had a kick-off party in June 2011 as our official start.

How many members does the group have now? Who can join?
Since we were founded, we have roughly 130 paid members and over 300 people in our LinkedIn group. Anyone who has an interest in the financial industry is welcome to join. Learn how to join on our website.

Biggest recent accomplishment:
We held six successful events in the fall quarter of 2012: a PE firm visit, an informational training for new students, an Excel modeling workshop, an equity research panel, career consulting and a post-finals happy hour. We will keep this pace in 2013. For example, the January Investment Banking event is on the way.

How can students/alumni benefit from joining your group?
We have at least one event on each financial topic every school month, which not only brings students industry knowledge and exposure, but also is a great way to build up a professional network. What makes us even more special is that we will take a guest speaker along with several members to dinner after an event. These are awesome opportunities for students to ask more questions and impress guests.

How has the organization has helped you personally?
It was a lot of work building an organization from scratch, but I got a lot of help on the way from professors, staff, other organizations and students. My leadership skills have developed as KFC has grown, and I feel so happy that we have been helping DePaul students.

How can people learn more about the group?
It is easy. We are on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and even Weibo (Chinese twitter). Join us! We also have a KFC website, and we are working continuously to make it better. Anyone who has the expertise or interest in helping is more than welcome to join. If you are interested in joining KFC as a board member and enjoy working with finance professionals to organize future events, please send your resume to Joyce Chen.

Do you want to share details of your Kellstadt student group with insideKellstadt readers? If so, please contact site manager Jennifer Leopoldt to learn more about the Student Group Spotlight.

Looking Back on 2012, Preparing for Career Success in 2013

Friday, November 30 2012 04:40:07 PM

By Megan Ouimet, Kellstadt Career Management Center – The Kellstadt Career Management Center (CMC) is an invaluable asset for students and alumni. As 2012 ends, it’s the perfect time to see how the CMC has grown and how it can help you in the year ahead.

As a counseling intern and a current DePaul graduate student, I have had the opportunity to learn from the CMC’s career experts and share this knowledge with fellow students. Although I am a fairly new member to the CMC team, I have seen many innovative and exciting changes in the last few months. We recently wrapped up our fall installment of the Career Foundations series, featuring a 10-week lineup of workshops covering resume-building, networking, interviewing skills and more. In addition, the CMC continues to host recruiting events for Kellstadt students and alumni seeking career and networking opportunities.

Whether you are a DePaul alumnus or your classes just ended for the quarter, career development is an ongoing process. Here are some helpful tips for you to stay in tune with your career goals over the holiday season:

• Create a Networking Action Plan – Research contacts of interest in your target markets and utilize DePaul’s resources to grow your network.
• Personal Branding – Update your LinkedIn, Twitter, or other professional networking sites.
• Share Your Network with Others – This is the time for giving, so align your friends and family with existing connections that may be helpful to their own network. For Kellstadt alumni, become a mentor and share your expertise by joining DePaul’s Alumni Sharing Knowledge Mentor Program (ASK).

As I’m sure the holiday season will keep everyone plenty busy, here is a sneak peek of what to look forward to from the CMC in 2013:

• Career Foundation Workshops (via conference call)
• Lunch & Learns with companies representing a multitude of industries
• Kellstadt-exclusive Employer Connects
• Industry Spotlight Series featuring Kellstadt alumni

This is just a glimpse into the many opportunities the CMC will be offering, so make sure to regularly check the calendar of events on Kellstadt Career Manager (depaulbusiness.experience.com) and follow us on Twitter (@DePaulMBACareer) so you don’t miss out!

Megan Ouimet is a Counseling Intern in the Kellstadt Career Management Center and a graduate student in the Counseling program in the College of Education at DePaul University.

Demon Discounts Program Brings Special Deals to DePaul University Community

Friday, October 26 2012 03:53:16 PM

By The insideKellstadt Team – Being a Blue Demon has its perks. Thanks to university connections, the Demon Discounts Program lets DePaul students, alumni, faculty and staff enjoy special pricing on goods and services from financial products to electronics to travel.

The Demon Discounts program allows members of the university community take advantage of more than 100 discounts. Here are a few that may appeal to Kellstadt business students, alumni, faculty and staff:

• Business news coverage: As one of the newest program partners, Crain’s Chicago Business offers discounted annual subscription rates to its newspaper through two different packages. The DePaul community can purchase a 52-week print and online subscription for $46.95 (discounted from $99) at chicagobusiness.com/combodeal. The online-only rate is $19.95 (discounted from $59) and available at chicagobusiness.com/onlinedeal.
• Banking and insurance: Students, alumni and DePaul employees have special access and discounts on credit unions, banks and credit cards, as well as health, life and auto insurance. For example, DePaul community members are eligible to receive an 8 percent discount on auto insurance through GEICO.

Discounts are also available for on-campus events at DePaul, such as games featuring DePaul Athletics teams and music and theatre performances. To learn more about the Demon Discounts program and see a full list of programs, please visit discounts.depaul.edu.

New Faculty Member Excited to Join DePaul’s Dynamic Environment

Wednesday, September 05 2012 10:55:23 AM

By Marina Girju, Assistant Professor of Marketing – In my academic job search, I read extensively about DePaul. I loved what I learned, and what made me excited to teach here was faculty members’ answers to one question: “Tell me about DePaul’s students?”

Rather than offer a list of dry demographic statistics, the faculty described students’ career accomplishments, long-term goals and daily challenges. It seemed like the faculty members were talking about their children or describing their own families, and it was quite clear that this close relationship reflects the faculty’s genuine desire to create the best education opportunities for DePaul’s community.

To me, it was very important to join a dynamic university with a strong commitment to developing cutting-edge research and teaching the skills necessary in this current difficult job market. Of the 40 universities where I interviewed, DePaul stood out with its large variety of classes and newly instituted business programs, such as the Master of Science in Predictive Analytics and the MBA in Revenue Management.

I also was impressed by the synergy between DePaul and the business community and the cooperation among DePaul’s schools and departments, such as computer science working closely with the marketing department. Further, I am extremely excited about the new Marketing Behavioral Lab and I look forward to the fascinating projects we will be doing there.

As a new faculty member, I am happy to have all of these resources as valuable support for my Principles of Marketing and Marketing Research classes. Even though these classes might be seen as introductory, all lectures, discussions and analyses will be based on offering solutions to real business projects. We will study concepts through multiple hands-on-applications, such as building a marketing plan for introducing a new product or developing an advertising plan to promote a new service. At the end of the class, not only will students have learned concepts, but they also will have applied the knowledge to an actual business problem and created a project to mention on their resumes.

I am very excited to join DePaul and connect with my students. I look forward to developing exciting academic research with my colleagues. I also feel grateful for being welcomed so warmly into the DePaul community—in moving to the Midwest from Texas, I know I will rely on that friendship to get through my first Chicago winter.

Marina Girju is a new Assistant Professor of Marketing in the Driehaus College of Business at DePaul University.