Acing Your Time at the Business School

Academic
Careerbound
Experiences

College is an exciting next chapter in your life. It can be daunting. Overwhelming. Life-changing. Here at the Brock-Wilson Center for Women in Business, we will help you thrive as a student. How? By helping you ACE the School of Business!

Academics

Success starts in the classroom. You are here to learn and we want to help you do exactly that. Purdue has a multitude of resources like the Disability Resource Center, Academic Success Centers and more. But we know sometimes you need a different sort of help. You need a community of young women who are experiencing the same classes you are. You need tools and tips for how to start a conversation with a professor. You may need help deciding which clubs to join (did you know Purdue has more than 1,000 student organizations and clubs? Yes, that’s 1,000!). Determine whether and when to get involved or assistance in study abroad. And so much more.

Career Competencies

No matter how much you love learning, we also understand you are here to build toward a career. While the classroom is a significant part of that process, it’s not the only part. You also need to gain leadership skills. Intercultural competency. Understand your role in equity and inclusion. Build your critical thinking and communication skills. We will work with you through our new career-prep program CareerBound to help you design the progression you need to get where you want to go. We will also prepare you for career fairs.

Experiences

College should be transformational for you. You’ll be a different person when you walk across the stage to accept your diploma. At the School of Business, we are committed to giving you the opportunity to take advantage of an array of experiences. Study abroad. Research experiences. Applying what you’re learning through consulting projects. Case competitions. There are so many ways you can see how your education applies in the real world — before you graduate.

What feels overwhelming today is exciting when you have a path to follow.

Let us help you build your unique path.

Ace Your First Year at the Daniels School

First Year	Fall	Spring	Summer
Academics	Connect with a professor. This person may write letters of recommendation for you in the future.	How did your organizational skills fare last semester? Do you need a new planner? What worked well that you should carry forward?	Breathe…unless you are studying abroad. You’re knocking out six credits in four weeks while living in another country. Go you!
Academics	Find someone to study with in each class. Pairing up helps you check your understanding with someone in the class. Use your strengths to develop studying strategies	Continue studying with someone. Have a conversation with your advisor about the exploratory studies career test.
Career Competencies
	We’re excited to introduce you to our award-winning CareerBound program. This career preparation program focuses on the eight National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) competencies: career and self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity and inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology. There’s so much we want to tell you about the benefits of CareerBound; for now, read on for details on how to start developing three of the competencies.
	Pick one club to join for fun or because it’s related to a passion. You’ll need a break from academics – do something you enjoy! Don’t be shy about taking leadership roles.	Add a club that is focused on your major or business. Consider joining a consulting club if you want to start applying what you’re learning.	How about a friend and family internship? Shadow someone who works in the field you are interested in. Volunteer. This will give you stories to share at the fall career fair.
	Successful women can effectively communicate. Case competitions are a fantastic way to grow your skills.	Have you taken a writing course yet? Consider MGMT 390 to learn how to be strategic in your business writing. (2nd year) Access the Purdue Writing Lab. There are grammar experts on campus to help you!	Read a good book or two. Watch a couple TED talks. How did the speakers communicate effectively? We have book and speaker recommendations if you want them!
	Strike up a conversation with someone in your dorm or a class who is from a different country than you. Appreciate the differences.	Attend an event at one of the university’s amazing cultural centers – to name just a few: The Black Cultural Center, the Latino Cultural Center, the Native American Educational and Cultural Center.
Experiences	Learn from the leaders who come to campus each week. Attend an Executive Forum and Old Masters. Apply for the Doster Leadership Conference.	There’s so much happening at Purdue! Attend a lecture outside the Daniels School. Options include the Presidential Lecture Series, Visiting Scholars, and Rising Professionals.	Go to a museum in your hometown. Be a tourist and learn more about your community.
	Attend a Study Abroad call-out. Which courses and locations – France? Singapore? Jordan? – interest you?	Apply for study abroad. Ask about scholarships. Attend program-specific info sessions. Read articles and watch videos about your destination country.	Study abroad! You’re a student first, but don’t forget to experience all your location has to offer. You’re already outside your comfort zone, so make the most of the opportunity.
	Take part in the Lilly or other case competition.	The PowerShift Competition is focused on gender issues in the workplace. Participate!