LTU Undergraduate Management Programs

Lawrence Tech Degrees Have Highest Return-on-Investment in Metro Detroit

2010-07-22T15:58:00.002-04:00

The nagging fear is always there, or lurking beneath the surface, during the college search -- will I earn a better living with this degree I'm investing time and money in?

A PayScale.com study recently revealed that Lawrence Technological University graduates earn a 9.6% return on their investment -- the highest of any institution in the Metro Detroit area.

Value is everywhere you look in an LTU degree. Not only does LTU's tuition fall at the bottom tier of private institutions -- students also receive tremendous value in everything from exciting student activities to a university-provided tablet PC fully loaded with all required software and with free tech support (the value of the technology alone is about 4 times what is included in student tuition costs).

Want to learn more? Contact us at ump@ltu.edu or call 248.204.3508 to find out about the value of our business management and information technology degree programs to your career.

Recession-Proof Careers in IT

2010-02-22T17:00:00.000-05:00

Looking for a career that is continuously in demand? Information technology options abound. Inside Tech presents the top 10 "recession-proof" IT Careers and salaries. Bachelor degrees in IT are recommended for Somet highlights:

1. Database Administrator -- $79,000 annual salary average
2. Wireless Network Manager -- $72,000 annual salary average
3. VoIP Support -- $61,000 annual salary average
4. Network Security Specialist -- $67,000 annual salary average

Some of the fields have available certifications you can complete. At LTU, you can earn up to 9 credit hours for earning certain approved certifications -- that's almost one semester's worth of full time work!

Can You Volunteer Your Way to Employment?

2009-09-11T10:13:00.002-04:00

Over on one of the BNET blogs, Matthew Rothenberg sums up some recent stories from the New York Times and TheLadders.com highlighting job seekers whose volunteer work has led to full-time paid employment. Rothenberg's conclusion:

The key, all these eyewitnesses agree is to find the right combination: a cause you can support that offers a role that fits your skills and exposure to decision makers who can help you achieve your professional ambitions.

We want to know, what do you think? Would you be willing to try to find a job through volunteer work? What kind of volunteer work do you see that could fit with your skills and interests?

Fall 2009 Electives

2009-08-24T10:22:00.003-04:00

Current Students: Still looking for an elective to round out your schedule? Check out this list of possibilities (be sure to check with your advisor to make sure a course fits with your degree plan)

Presentation Media COM3483 (CRN 1605) TR 4:20-5:35 p.m. Prof. Gullen. Prereqs: Speech, WPE; Coreqs: Tech & Prof Com. Description: The systematic design, productions, and use of presentation media. Emphasis on developing business-oriented presentations using posters, overhead transparencies, slides, crystal display, and multimedia. Why take this? Build your professional presentation skills and impress your colleagues and your future boss!
Document Design COM3473 (CRN 1606) R 5:45-8:25 p.m. Prof. Nunez. Prereqs: Tech & Prof Com; WPE. Description: Emphasis on layout and design of technical documents, documents for publication, presentation support materials, and electronic media. Why take this? Knowing how to create eye-catching and easy-to-read documents is an important part of communicating an any field.
We hear about our "global economy" all the time. If you've been thinking about learning a foreign language, Lawrence Tech offers courses in German and Spanish (and even a Minor in Spanish). Check out LLT2613 (German 1) or any course in the "Spanish" subject in Bannerweb.
New Ventures & Managing Entrepreneurial Operations MGT3013 (CRN 1750) T 5:45-8:50 p.m. Prof. Mills. Prereqs: Accounting 1 or Macroeconomics or Microeconomics. Description: An intensive course that focuses on the skills and knowledge necessary to design, launch, and manage a new venture. Practice is accomplished through team projects, case studies, development of a business operating plan for a new venture and meaningful field assignments. Why take this? If you've ever thought that business ownership, or running a small business with partners, might be for you, this is a great opportunity to learn the practical side of getting things done.
Media, Communication and Society MCO1003 (CRN 1163) MW 9:30-10:45 a.m. Prof. Levine. Prereqs: None. Description: Electronic mass media and their functions: legal, economic, psychological aspects the media broadcasting and production are discussed. A survey of race, gender, and multicultural issues with regard to the media are also addressed. Special focus on the ethics of media communications professionals in problem solving. Why take this? If you have room for a general elective in your degree plan, this course allows you to discuss and debate the role of media in our society. All professionals should understand how the media works.
Social Media MCO3633 (CRN 1887) MW 11:00-12:15 p.m. Prof. Helterhoff. Prereqs: Must be a junior or senior. Description: reading, research and writing intensive course in which students will create and maintain a carefully crafted blog throughout the semester with a strong civic component. Students will also research and analyze wikis, viral media, podcasts, virtual communities, RSS (real simple syndication) and other communication platforms. Why take this? No doubt about it -- the social web is an increasingly important means of communication for businesses in all industries. Knowing how to use its tools well -- and how to adapt to new tools that arise -- will help you better use this medium to the advantage of your company.

The Adventures of a Big City Intern-7

2009-07-22T12:27:00.001-04:00

With mixed emotions I find myself back in the mitten I call home having come in off a flight on Sunday afternoon. I enjoyed my experience in the city- both at work and out on the town and its something that I wouldnt trade for anything in this world. I learned a lot in the office, like how to do HTML coding for websites and how to upload website content. I also was able to get some presentation experience towards the end of my internship when we had to give our final presentation. I was surprised at how easy it was for me to get up in front of a room of such distinguished people [the president of our company included]. Speaking to the group about college and our experiences both with their programs and while in the city was a phenomenal opportunity and I believe that it gave them a better understanding of what their clients [student useres especially] are looking for in a social networking site. With so many of them out there these days, sites have to be competitive, not only with content but with their image as well. We also discussed with them the importance of what their generated e-mails look and sound like, and how to make them more student-friendly and personal. Outside of that, we spent a lot of time discussing what it's like to be a college kid using multiple networking and electronic grading systems, and how we manage to keep track of several e-mail addresses, our Facebooks, and Blackboards and all of the other sites we're expected to check and keep updated on a daily basis.On the same page, we discussed how online communication has eliminated the apparent need for "real-life" communication and how rare it is to actually speak to someone on the phone or in person, and even further how rare it is to get a card from someone as opposed to getting an e-card in your e-mail. Which is something that my networking also tought me- that face-to-face communication is so rare that it is valued so much more than anyone realizes.Overall, in and out of the office my experience in the city taught me many life lessons that I know will be extremely beneficial in throughout the rest of my life. The trip, the people, and the city are things that will always hold a special place in my heart now and I can't wait to go back one day!

The Adventures of a Big City Intern-6

2009-07-15T14:53:00.000-04:00

Heyy all!

Highlights-

Last Thursday…Lunch with Sandra!
Sandra treated us to lunch at a Thai food place not too far from the office and we were able to tap into all of her fabulous networking experience. She gave us lots of helpful advice concerning networking tactics, keeping in touch with people, and even shared her past experiences at various employers, how she got there, and her tips for success on the job.

This past weekend…Liz!
My friend Liz came to visit and we spent the majority of the weekend in city, shopping and wandering, taking pictures, and exploring. Overall, successful, relaxing weekend. =]

This week so far…=]
So on Monday I went to visit the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Manhattan and after talking to Gail for a few minutes got the opportunity to meet with a few new people as well. First on the list was Jay, Director of Corporate and Strategic Alliances. Jay handles most of the foundation’s fundraising and even shared with me some of the research he is currently doing on cultivating donors and exploring what their capacity to give is. On a more personal note, Jay also shared with me his story about getting involved with the foundation. Jay’s twin brother was a wish child when the two were much younger and ever since experiencing the joy that the Make-A-Wish Foundation brought his family and the impact they made on his brother’s life. It inspired him so much that he started to volunteer for the Foundation, and kept up with it regardless of what city he was living in at the time (mostly Boston and NYC). Years later, after various other Public Relations and Non-Profit jobs, Jay started what he described as being his “dream job” at Make-A-Wish. He shared with me some of his tips for handling the stresses of a fundraising job especially in non-profit. He also shared with me his personal experiences in having trouble landing jobs because of a lack of experience, which was something I had not heard from many other people. Everyone else I’ve talked to gave the impression that who you know is either equally or signifcantly more important than what you know. Jay however had quite a different experience, and was actually not hired the first time he applied at Make-A-Wish because he didn’t have enough experience, regardless of the fact that his brother was a wish kid and he had himself been volunteering for years. This began to worry me a bit, considering that I don’t have much experience, and knowing this I knew I would need to get some fast if I wanted to land my dream job at Make-A-Wish.

Amy Epstein, the Foundation’s special events manager shared with me that I could get that kind of experience much like she did, by doing freelance special events. She was able to give me good insight on the Special Events end of the job at Make-A-Wish, which is where I would love to end up. Amy also shared with me that she had gotten involved with the foundation because she was a former wish kid, which was very touching and inspired me even more to work towards pursuing my dream job. I found that Amy and I had a lot in common and that she was very easy to talk to.

Overall my experience at the Make-A-Wish office was very successful.

Today…We had our presentation!
Presentation went EXCEPTIONALLY well. We talked to the employees at EdDy about our experiences with their various programs, what it’s like to be a college student today, and how technology dictates everything we do with our lives both in an academic and social atmosphere. Everyone loved our presentation and said that it had taught them a lot. Overall, very successful.
Bike ride along the Hudson tonight, followed by outing with work friends.

=]
Only 4 days left!

New Honors Society on Campus: Sigma Alpha Phi

2009-07-10T11:39:00.006-04:00

Up to now, the chapter of National Society of Leadership and Success in Lawrence Technological University is almost founded. I have found several Executive Board members, Michael Dalessandro, who is the Vice President, Christina Minta, the Chair of Fundraising and Ireli Xhani.

To introduce our organization to the campus while checking the responds of potential members, we decided to hold our first informal introduction meeting on campus. This is our fist time to “sell” and test our organization to the market. After settling the time and location, another crucial tip is to make our product more attractive. During the discussion, Christina mentioned that it would be more attractive if we could offer some free food. Since everyone likes free food, it will be easier to introduce the organization to someone after he accepts the benefit we offer. It is always easier to sell a product when you have free gifts attached.

Then we decided to buy some pizza from Hungry Howie’s. As the Student Government does not operate in the summer, we can not apply any money to cover our costs. However, all the E-board members are generous so we decided to pay the pizza together. As the president, I feel so happy that all the members take responsibility, and it shows that their personality fits for Executive Board members.

We set a table in the atrium, putting some pizza on it to attract students to our group. At the beginning, we found that it was a tough task to invite strangers walking by to come. Some people just ignored us, which is rather embarrassing. Actually, the first stage of communication is relatively hard since people tend to be hesitating to talk to people who they don’t know. However, no one will reject a smiling face. If one is really enthusiastic and honest, the other one will be influenced. Then, the purpose of communication is achieved.

Then we changed our attitudes quickly to become more warm and talkative to students, inviting them to have free pizza first and making jokes to make them feel comfortable. While we talked to them, we tried to affect them how important leadership skills are and how our organization can help them to achieve their expectation. Also, we collected information about what aspect they are interested in our organization, and what potential problems they concern.

This two day introduction turned out to be rather successful. We asked students who are interested and might become a member to write down their contact information. The list finally contained about 50 students, which is impressive in the summer semester. The goal of this activity, which is finding out the number of potential members and what this organization should offer to students, was reached by our hard work.

I always believe that communication skill is the fundamental requirement for successful management. The activities and meetings of this internship make me confirm how important communication skill is. Since information is the primary element in today’s business world, how to transmit the information to make it clear and understandable for listeners, how to make sure the information is transmitted correctly and in time through different channels. All these tasks are related to communication, and they play important roles in management.

IT internship, part 2

2009-07-04T13:58:00.002-04:00

So these last couple weeks have been pretty busy.

We're migrating a lot of things from a company we just bought, which means we have to generate a lot of router scripts. Being that this would take a few centuries to do it manually, we have a script to generate the configs for us. It looks at an excel file to pull its information, so the task is just making sure everything in excel is right. This can be done by scanning over it yourself (time consuming and room for error) or by entering in really complicated formulas to do it for you. So that task fell to me, and I came up with some formulas (with help from an Excel forum to get me started) to make it easier. So now the configs are generated, which makes everything considerably easier.

We got a new network analyzer, so I've been poking around with that. And I can say I've worked with Network General Infinistream software, which is always a plus.

Next week I have Xng training. I don't remember if I mentioned this, but Xng is what we use to create work orders and it's also a database to track how things are physically connected together. That should be interesting. I'll let you know how it goes.

The Adventures of a Big City Intern-5

2009-07-01T09:54:00.003-04:00

So yesterday was the big day. April and I met with Gail Monaco, the Director of Donor Cultivation and Major Events at the Metro New York Chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation for coffee in NYC. The meeting was a success from the very beginning. Gail was super friendly, and very open, and willing to answer anything we had questions about. Her persona made it a lot easier than I had expected to feel relaxed around her, even though she has such a prestigious position within the foundation. We found that she had only just gotten involved with non-profits after working in insurance and real estate for numerous years. She started off as a volunteer for United Way, an opportunity which eventually turned into a paid position within the company. After being there for 6 years, she moved onto the Make-A-Wish Foundation where she has been for the past 13 years.

We learned about the process involved with granting a child's wish, and how every wish is made possible. The interviewing is actually done by volunteers which was something that surprised me. However, many of the employees at Make-A-Wish also volunteer for the foundation and get the opportunity to go out and meet the children and their families to find out what the child really wants as his/her wish. Gail said she has had the opportunity to do this several times, and though it can be tough, is a rewarding part of the experience. She also told us several wish kid stories, which were really inspiring to hear. Gail also mentioned that she still maintains contact with many of the wish kids after their experience with the foundation and gets invited to their weddings and other special events.

Overall, the meeting was definitely a rewarding experience and has further convinced me that working for Make-A-Wish is going to be my ultimate goal after school. I plan on getting involved with the Detroit chapter as soon as I am able to once getting back to Michigan. I would really like to intern with them at some point in time before graduating college to get a better feel for the industry in general, as well as the foundation specifically. I'm not sure what I would want to do within the foundation specifically just yet, however after listening to Gail yesterday, the foundation seems to allow you to "wear many hats" as she continuously described it. One day she talks to donors and plans budgets, the next she plans major events, other days she talks to the kids...every day is different and that aspect of the job definitely appeals to me.

In addition to meeting with Gail, I have an appointment with one of the employees in our office tomorrow to talk about his experience working with handicapped children. I'm also meeting with a woman who works in NYC at the Alliance for Lupus Research office as the Special Events Manager next Wednesday after work for coffee. I also received an e-mail response from another Make-A-Wish employee and will hopefully be meeting with her some time next week to get a feel for her position within the foundation and her experiences.

So goal #1 is going wonderfully and my networking is well under way!

More to come!
Krysta

LTU + Social Entrepreneurship: 2 Iowans Offer Their Take on Detroit

2009-06-26T13:03:00.005-04:00

Over at another blog, two students from Grinnell College in Iowa are talking about their impressions, thoughts and ideas about the City of Detroit. Through the Detroit Social Innovation Project, a joint venture between Lawrence Tech's Center for Nonprofit Management and Grinnell College, Mickale Haile and Beth Miller are spending 9 weeks working to create socially innovative internships that will bring other students to the area to discuss and find creative approaches to Detroit's social and economic problems.

Check it out, make some comments, jump into the dialogue!

We have some great things going on right next door, and rather than becoming discouraged or feeling like we need to flee the state, it just might pay off to stop, look around, and see how we can use our creativity to make the world around us a little better.

Some other great resources on talking about Detroit:

Metromode, a local online magazine featuring all things Detroit, is launching the Metro Detroit Talent Retention Program, in which it will feature young professionals from around the area who have chosen to stay, live and work in metro Detroit
Intern in Michigan connects Michigan employers and student interns to make the most of the wealth of talent we have right here
Positive Detroit is a blog dedicated to highlighting the good news about things that are going on in the Detroit area

Links to each of the Grinnel students' individual posts:

"Why Detroit? Why Now?" 6.22.09
"Thoughts on Non-Profits and Public Transportation" 6.23.09
"Social Innovation and Urban Farming in Detroit" 6.25.09
"The Osborn Revolution and 'working from the bottom up'" 6.26.09

The Adventures of a Big City Intern-4

2009-06-25T13:33:00.003-04:00

So while in the Big City, I’ve decided that it would be a good idea to set some goals to obtain by the time I leave here to make sure I’m making the most of my experience.

1. Network like crazy!
I want to get ahold of and meet with AT LEAST 3 non-profits before I leave here. So far I’ve gotten thru to the Director of Donor Cultivation and Major Events at Make-A-Wish Foundation, and today i started collecting contact information for the UNICEF headquarters.

2. Master the Subway/Transit System

It’s harder than it sounds. It is SO easy to get all turned around and end up in multiple bureaus without even meaning to!

3. Get to the gym 4 times/week.

We walk everywhere, but it seemes like everyone in this city works out like, all the time. So call it peer pressure but…=]

4. Go to at least one Broadway show.

I think this is just a NYC must. Who goes to NYC and doesn’t go to Broadway?

5. Visit the art museums: Guggenheim and MoMA

Stuff like this is always so much fun and super interesting.

UPDATES

This week is going even better than last week, and I'm learning more and more each day. I've learned a ton about HTML and Wiki formatting, which is proving to be a very useful skill, and will definitely be another super beneficial skill to add to my resume. Tomorrow the director from my department is giving a presentation about presentation skills, what to do, what not to do, etc. I've always considered myself to be a pretty decent public speaker, however I'm hoping that this will make me even better.

One of the other things that I've rediscovered since getting here is my love for working with non-profit organizations, especially those that work with kids. This weekend one of the interns and I are volunteering at a barbecue in Central Park for Harlem school kids, which is sure to be an eye-opening experience. I have also been talking to the people in my office who I have discovered to be my best resource as far as finding networking opportunities go. Later next week I'm having lunch with one of the guys in our office (Rob) to talk to him about his experiences, and we're going to see if we can set something up with some of the non-profits he used to work with. Also, after meeting with Josh H today I discovered that his girlfriend works for a non-profit in the city so I will hopefully be meeting up with her soon too.

Overall, things are starting to go extremely well in the way of networking currently, so I'm hoping that that continues to go uphill. Despite a little bit of homesickness at the beginning of the week I'm continuing to enjoy my time in the city and can't wait to get paid again so we can do some more exploring in NYC.

-Krysta

IT internship, part 1

2009-06-24T19:13:00.004-04:00

Taking a cue from the other intern who's posting, I'm going to give all my posts the same title with different parts, so it's easier to follow.

Okay, so I have really been slacking in the posting department, and that's because I've been studying for my CCNA exam. If you don't know, that's Cisco Certified Network Associate, and it's a really good cert to have if you're going into the networking field. I enrolled in the Cisco Networking Academy last year and after that just studied for a good month and a half. Even at work, because they are awesome enough to understand that this cert would be beneficial to both me and them. My test was on the 18th and all spare time (well, most) was spent studying, thus I really didn't get to update much. But it paid off! I passed! I'm a CCNA!

Anyway.

The company is possibly the most laidback company I've ever worked for. Not in terms of getting things done, because everyone gets their work done, but dresscode wise (most of my coworkers wear jeans), and stuff like that. I have a very hands off manager, and in fact most of my work comes from the guys I work with. And there is no shortage of it, which I definitely enjoy. Recently I upgraded a Sniffer Infinistream, which was a more lengthy process than I expected. Sniffers analyze packets that go through a router and are invaluable in figuring out an outage or a problem. I can also generate router configs, which was actually very good practice for the CCNA because they use cisco routers. I've troubleshooted, installed hardware, done work orders, configured things, and basically, finally in a position where I understand what's going on and I can apply what I learned in class, and learn some more. I know a lot more about cellular traffic than I did when I first came in, and how things connect and how packets travel.

The other thing is that everyone is awesome. My group jokes around with each other a lot, but we all get everything done and in on time. I really actually hope that I can extend this to the fall or actually work there permanently.

I promise to update regularly now, probably once a week or so :)

The Adventures of a Big City Intern-3

2009-06-18T12:36:00.003-04:00

Hey all!

So one of the things that I have been advised to do being so close to the Big Apple is to network, Network, NETWORK. Where better to make business contacts than in the big city where there are so many successful business owners, entrepreneurs, and people who have essentially climbed to the top of their corporate ladders.

One of the things I knew I always wanted to do after college was to work with non-profit corporations, and since coming to New York I have made it one of my goals to meet with at least three representatives from big non-profit corporations to get a better idea of what their line of work is like and what they had to do to make it to the top. First on my list is Make-A-Wish Foundation. So far I have sent individual e-mails to several of their Wish Coordinators, as well as their Special Events Manager, and just recently sent an e-mail through their information request link to the entire staff at Make-A-Wish NYC. I made it clear that I was not looking for a job, but only for an opportunity to do some networking, and some learning as to what it takes to obtain a position like theirs within such a huge national corporation. I have already received a response, and will hopefully be setting up a meeting time and place with their Special Events Manager sometime in the near future.

In addition to Make-A-Wish, I am hoping to get into contact with the March of Dimes and Children's Miracle Network, and perhaps even several other smaller foundations if I can find a way to make it work. I think that ultimately, I would love to work for a non-profit that helps children, so what better way to get into that industry than learning from those who are already in it, and using them as contacts later on to locate positions in the field?

In addition to contacting the non-profits I have set up a profile on linkedin.com to try to make some more contacts, receive recommendations, and essentially advertise myself to have a better chance of getting a job after school.

More to come soon [from the city where it NEVER stops raining...]

Krysta

Career Summit for Women in IT -- Connect, Lead, Succeed

2009-06-15T14:52:00.003-04:00

On June 20, 2009, the Michigan Council of Women in Technology is holding its 4th Annual Technology Career Summit! If you can't wait to register, here's the link up front: https://mcwt.cuveventreg.com/register/?event_id=8&mode=reg_session&job=login

The keynote speaker is Rhonda Walker, WDIV-TV anchor, who will speak about her professional journey. The remainder of the conference will include interactive workshops and a great panel discussion.

If you are thinking about a job in the IT field, this is a fantastic chance to network with other students and established professionals.

If you attend the event and want to blog about how it went, just e-mail kevans [at] ltu [dot] edu -- it would be a great way to let others know what you learned!

The Adventures of a Big City Intern-2

2009-06-15T13:10:00.002-04:00

Hey all!
So I had my first weekend in the city, and it was definitely a blast. =]
Friday night we did a lot of exploring and wandered around Hoboken to get a better feel for the local scene and nightlife. Saturday was spent catching up on all the sleep we had lost throughout the week, and doing a little bit of homework. However, that night we got to go out and have some fun exploring the New York public transportation system and met all kinds of interesting people along the way.
Sunday morning we took our first real tourist trip, and went out to Governor's Island. Along the way we got out first real taste of street performers, and scam artists who tried to charge us $10 for taking a picture with him because he was dressed up like the statue of liberty [pictures to come soon, promise].
We finally made it to the island and walked around, exploring the coastline and taking loads of pictures of the sailboats, ferries, and the Statue of Liberty. The statue was even more amazing than I could have imagined...and the view of the water was phenomenal. =]
After walking the coastline we went and checked out the River to River Art and Music Festival that the island hosts each year. Artists bring their pieces to the island and they are set up for public viewing. Most of the pieces were unconventional which made the festival even more interesting.
One of my favorites was an exhibit that featured hundreds of flowers that people had hung from a tree. The public was invited to take a flower and to it to a branch and make a wish. The exhibit originated from a part of Indian culture, and was just one of many exhibits that displayed the diversity of the artists at the festival.Another cool exhibit that we visited was an audio art experiment inside the walls of Fort Jay. There were sound waves that were controlled by the number of people inside the walls, how close together or spread out they were, and they way they moved. The experiment was designed to give the allusion of being "in charge" of the sound waves.
After the festival, we headed back into the city for dinner and did some shopping on canal street, through Chinatown and Little Italy. We made it back to the apt. without getting lost ALL DAY, which was a record for us...we were pretty psyched.
Tomorrow it's back to work at the office, which really isn't as bad as you would think. All of the employees are young, and super friendly, so it's a great working environment for a college intern. I'm learning a lot and experiencing a lot of super cool things.
more to come!!

The Adventures of a Big City Intern

2009-06-11T16:09:00.001-04:00

Well I finally made it! After getting through months of anticipation, and a delayed flight, I have finally made it to Hoboken, NJ to start my internship at EducationDynamics, a website host company. While here, I’m working with their Program Marketing Department as one of four summer interns, all of whom are spread out between the various departments.

I had my first day of work yesterday, and as nervous as I was, I ended up having an amazing experience…which isn’t so hard to do when you can see the New York City skyline from your desk. Within the first few hours I made my acquaintance with my mentors, Rosa and Cristin, and met with the director of my department to discuss the different kinds of projects I will be working on this summer. Rosa is super laid-back, and is one of the newest employees to the company, having served as the PM intern last summer. Cristin has been here for about a year and a half, and not only works full time in the office but does freelance illustration on the side.

After getting acquainted with my new team, we were treated to lunch by one of the VP’s and then attended our very first full office meeting where we came up with a theoretical design for a chat application for the websites they use here, one of which is geared towards incoming freshman (which is the one LTU uses), and the other called FYRe, which is geared towards first year students with the goal of keeping them at the university. I immediately assumed that as an intern, and not to mention, the only person under-20 in the entire office, that I wouldn’t be addressed much, if at all, and that if I were to speak up, anything I were to say would be ignored.

WRONG.

All four of us quickly discovered that we were just as responsible for brainstorming and participating as any full-time employee in the company. We all began to speak up, throwing out ideas and giving input that the VP running the meeting seemed genuinely interested in hearing, and quickly added them to the developing list for the chat application. Towards the end of the meeting we switched into smaller groups and based on the collective group input, designed a chat box for the application, and when everyone was finished it was time to present. When it got to our group, I was the one who ended up presenting the project which was both scary and exciting at the same time.

Once that meeting was finished, the other interns and I met with the Vice President of design to discuss a new project his team was working on: developing a mentor/protégé website for another university. Again, we discussed the features we wanted to see, and came up with designs for what we felt the page should look like, as well as how the selection process would be implemented, etc.

Overall, my first day was a whirlwind, but I could not ask for better. After work we headed back to our apartment, and did some grocery shopping and just hung out for the night.

Oh, yeah, roommates, almost forgot. I’m living in an apartment in the city of Hoboken with the 2 other female interns, April and Erin, and Jill, a student who attends the university that our apartment complex is owned by. April is a talkative sweetheart who goes to school in Georgia where she is a Public Relations major. Erin just finished up her undergrad work at NJIT where she majored in Business. She’s super sweet too and logical, and knows her way around the city well enough to not get us lost. Jill just finished up her undergrad work at Stevens University and she’s been a tremendous help as far as giving us tips as to the best and cheapest restaurants, shops, etc. in and around NYC.

So far the experience has been amazing, and tonight we’re planning on going to a charity run in CENTRAL PARK [!!!!] and then going out with everyone from the company to hang out and get to know them on a more personal level.

More to come!!

Krysta

Management Summer Internship

2009-06-02T23:38:00.002-04:00

Greetings, fellow students and faculty/staff members! I'm Carrie, a senior in the Information Technology program (where does the time go?!) and I'll be periodically posting about my internship with Verizon Wireless this summer. I'm working in the Network group, and thus far I've become familiar with the hardware they use, the way the cell phone traffic is forwarded through various sites, and generated router configs. Also done lots of troubleshooting. It's definitely the best application of what I have learned thus far I can think of!

I'll be blogging in more detail as the summer progresses!

Stumble It!

Going Global: Exciting Opportunities for LTU Students

2009-03-23T14:23:00.002-04:00

LTU Business Management and IT students have some exciting opportunities to study abroad. In an increasingly global business world, it is important for professionals to have as much experience interacting with other cultures as possible. Listed below, you will find brief descriptions of these exciting opportunities, along with relevant dates and other important information.

Junior/Senior Elective in Paris
Take your junior/senior Core Curriculum elective beneath the Eiffel Tower this summer!
Deadline to register: March 31, 2009
Dates: May 13-July 10 on campus, July 21-August 11 in Paris
Requirements:Junior standing or above (by 5/09) with 3.0 or better GPA
Contact: Alice McHard in A116 (mchard@ltu.edu)

A Full Semester in England
Through a partnership with Harlaxton University, LTU students can study for an entire semester, or even an entire year, and earn LTU credits. Harlaxton is about 40 minutes outside of London, England. Business course and humanities courses are offered there, with selections varying from semester to semester.
Deadline to register: Varies depending on the semester you wish to start at Harlaxton
Dates: Fall and/or Spring semesters
Contact: Melissa Grunow, Leadership Programs Coordinator (mgrunow [at] ltu [dot] edu)

Teach English in China
During the summer, you can spend time with fellow LTU students teaching English to Chinese students. Quest credit is available for this opportunity, which can carry funding possibilities.
Contact: Melissa Grunow, Leadership Coordinator

Opportunities also exist in Germany, South Africa and more. Check this website for details: http://www.ltu.edu/leadership/studyabroad.asp

Take advantage of these opportunities to see the world that lies beyond our front door!

Like Winning $? Check Out These Opportunities

2009-02-12T16:43:00.002-05:00

Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation is seeking scholarship applications from women who are studying information technology or a technical field. Visit www.mcwtf.org for details on this scholarship, along with laptop grants and scholarships for high school students.

Feeling the urge to blog yet? Get jump started with some cash -- The Talent Buzz is offering a $1,000 Visa Gift Card for a winning blog post. Details here:http://thetalentbuzz.com/2009/02/the-1000-blog-post-contest/

Upcoming Event on Campus: Invention2Venture

2009-02-03T13:14:00.002-05:00

Invention to Venture (I2V) Lawrence Tech 2009 is February 27, 2009 -- and is the day for you to win money, network with notable entrepreneurs, discover how to turn an innovative product idea into a new venture and more!

This event is open to LTU students and anyone else in the community who wants to learn more!

Here are the details:

Date: Friday, February 27, 2009
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PMLocation: UTLC Gallery, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI
Presentations will focus on venture capital, marketing, intellectual property, business plans, and related topics. Guest speakers are experts drawn from the region.
FREE for all students who register; $25 for faculty and staff at universities/colleges; $25 for LTU Alumni; $50 for the general public.

Want even more information? Want to register? Visit http://www.invention2venture.org/ltu2009/

"Dee-troit Basketball!"

2008-12-21T18:01:00.003-05:00

Are you a Pistons fan? Thinking about a career in sports management? Just want to get some experience? If you're a current student in LTU's Undergraduate Management Programs, you should have recently received an e-mail through our Blackboard site announcing numerous internship opportunities with the Detroit Pistons basketball team and Palace Sports Entertainment. Check out the Bb site for more details, including full job descriptions for each position.

Stumble It!

It's Finals Week: Should the Professional Side of Me Care?

2008-12-15T11:28:00.003-05:00

As you re-read your class notes (you took some, right?) and review those textbook pages one more time (you've read them already, right?) it's easy to feel that the process of studying for and taking finals has nothing to do with what you will experience once you have your hard-earned LTU degree in hand.

Wondering about the connection between finals and the work world, we posed a question to the LTU Alumni Group on LinkedIn about whether preparing for (and taking) final exams was good training for their professional lives. Eric Tookes (BSBA '86) is currently the Director of IS Support Services at Champion Enterprises. Tookes sees "a lot of similarities between preparing for final exams and managing projects in the business world." He elaborates,

[i]n the business world, you have assigned task to deliver in a project. When
the tasks are completed, you discuss the accomplishments during project status
meetings. During these meetings you discuss things that went right and where
improvements can be made (debriefing). When studying for finals, students should
review their previous assignments, quizzes and test to identify areas of further
study and reinforce the correct answers. Throughout this process you are
reviewing the material for the exam(s).

Another piece of advice comes from Robert Goffeney (BSBA '83). Goffeney says it's not just the final exam process at the end of the semester that is good prep for the "real world" -- it's what you do from the very beginning of the semester. He writes, "the way you go about preparing for each class is a dry-run for the real world of work. If you skate through a class just memorizing what will be covered in the next session and then cram for the final, you may pass but you'll come out of the experience with nothing you can apply later."

Think about how many times you've been tempted to put off studying or reading for a class because you know that you won't be called on that day, or because you have a knack for skimming through the book and grabbing an acceptable answer at the last minute. That might earn you a passing grade in some classes, but Goffeney cautions students to think about their school life the same way they will need to think about their work life:

If you apply that same method to life in business, you'll quickly be found out
as a lightweight. Expertise is valued in the working world, and expertise
usually comes from mastering the details of an assignment, project or
discipline. In status meetings, deliverable reviews and the like, you can't
assume the conversation will stay comfortably focused only on what was
explicitly assigned (or "in the book"); and when the meeting wanders off-agenda,
as they often do, only those people who really know their stuff can find their
way back again. Folks who have been just "getting by" will be noted, and find
their opportunities limited in the future. Bottom line: master the details
early, and build your knowledge continually.

Finally, Amory Diccion (BSME '03), 6 Sigma Black Belt and an engineer at Caterpillar, Inc., also finds similarities between his experience in taking finals and his professional career. Diccion points out that, in both your academic and professional career, how you present that you have learned the information can bolster or take away from your credibility. He explains, "[i]f you develop and learn sequentially rather than in one large batch as your deadline approaches, then you will be better positioned to have an airtight case. Cramming for finals is similar to last-minute preparation in the working world...any holes in your case will be easily identified by your peers, and your credibility becomes compromised."

If you want to take to heart the hard-learned advice of those who were here at LTU before you, what should you be doing throughout the semester? Diccion tells us that he spent 2-3 hours studying for every hour of lecture. What is "studying?" It depends on the course, but it might include: doing any assigned work (including participating in online discussion boards) well before the deadline, reviewing your work before turning it in (and maybe even having a peer review it also), and creating an ongoing outline of your notes. Is yours a vocabulary-intensive course? Creating your own flashcards and quizzing a group of fellow students is an excellent idea.

Diccion finds that his studying methods are paying off in his professional life. He writes, "I document my progress on projects as new discoveries during development. When I bring forth my results for reviews to management or leadership, I am not jamming content into a rough presentation, but instead tweaking and polishing my message on my concurrently-developed content. "

Diccion sums up the advice of these three alumni well: "The final point: don't cram."

Facebook Faceoff: Do Social Media Tools Help Business? Part 1

2008-11-25T16:34:00.003-05:00

Everywhere you look, a new "social media" tool is popping up. In the days of Web 1.0, all you needed was for your business to have a website with basic info about your company.* Then, you needed interactive features, e-commerce and more -- but this was still just on your website. Today, companies are increasingly going beyond the basic website into the world of "social media" -- a term used to describe media content that is created and distributed not just by journalists, but also by regular Joe Sixpacks and Plumbers. Where "website" was once the new-tech word, the vocabulary of Web 2.0 changes almost daily -- there's Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Blogger, YouTube, and so many more.

Should businesses be aware of these tools? Certainly -- wherever a group of customers flock, there will be an advertising opportunity. But, should businesses actively use these tools other than as a place for banner ads?

Starbucks, WholeFoods, and Zappos seem to think so. These large, business-to-consumer corporations have been aggressive in creating online personas. All three are on Twitter. (see: @zapposCEO, @starbucks and @wholefoods). All three have weblogs. All three have Facebook fan pages (Zappos, Starbucks, Whole Foods).

Seems like social media makes sense for large companies that cater to the general (coffee-drinking, food-buying, shoe-buying) public. Does it make sense for small businesses with a niche market? What about business-to-business companies? Finally, does using social media in the workplace create any headaches or concerns for the IT segment of a company? Come back to the blog each week as we explore these areas. Feel free to write in suggestions or examples of your own!

* (Check out the McDonald's Website circa 1996:http://web.archive.org/web/19961110083459/http://www.mcdonalds.com/) -- then check it out today (www.mcdonalds.com). Surely, the '96 setup was sophisticated for its time, but it's still quite simple compared to today).

A Rising Artist in Our Midst: John Baker

2008-10-27T13:29:00.000-04:00

As far as stories go this is an impressive one. The Bakery Studio, a small business located in the basement of our own John Baker’s house, is a recording studio striving for the dream of making it to Nashville, New York or California to sign on big artists one day. For now, however, John is content with the few local recording artists he works with while he finishes his business degree at LTU.

Baker started the business when he was twelve. He got the recording bug when he started recording his uncle’s guitar playing. Yes, it was as simple as that, he says. He went from the little portable recorder to a full studio, which is now recording full CDs for one popular local band, To Be Juliet’s Secret. “The band,” he says, “has quite a following, and it has been exciting doing a recording at this level.”

It has taken John four years to get the business going. “The business is very demanding.” He says “but, LTU classes have helped me a lot.” In particular, Accounting helped him keep records of money he spent along with money coming in from customers, and Marketing helped him establish his name and become known in the community.

The best part of his LTU classes is that he learns from people in the real world, from professors who also hold jobs in their own field. They bring in a real work experience to the classroom where ambitious young women and men like John can use it to advance their own passions.
The business is a self funded full time job, hence the delay in moving ahead fast. The equipment is handed down for the most part. John is a song and music writer and a guitar player himself. He records two to three days a week, and he spends the rest of the week finishing the recording and keeping a full time schedule at LTU. He would like to take some classes in video editing and film technology in order to expand his business.

“The Bakery Studio turns over a few CDs a month, and right now has two CDs baking in the oven.” Says John, “no pun intended.” Yes, as far as stories go this is a sweet one, best of Luck to John and hoping to see the Bakery Studio stamped on the back of many big selling CDs.

Article by Sylvia Sardy with help from Steve Strauss

Build-a-Company: 48 Hours from Conception to Completion

2008-10-09T11:39:00.002-04:00

Always had a knack for coming up with awesome business ideas, but never had the time to bring them to life? Check out Detroit Startup Weekend, happening at Compuware HQ November 14-16 2008. In one weekend, pros and those interested in every area of starting up a business will get together and create and implement a new business (or a few new businesses) in just a single weekend.

More info here: http://detroit.startupweekend.com/

Meltdowns, Bailouts and Other Compound Words -- Making Sense of What's Going On On Wall Street

2008-10-06T16:08:00.000-04:00

Congress recently passed an historic "bailout bill" -- but what does it mean for personal and business finance in the near and far future? Economics professor Dr. Harold Hotelling will present "Financial Meltdowns: A Spectator's Guide" on Thursday October 9 from 12:30-1:45 p.m. in S221. Free pizza with a side of helpful information for anyone who has money or hopes to make some someday.

LTU Students in Business: Sarah Thurmond

2008-09-17T12:57:00.000-04:00

Think taking a 15 to 19-credit hour load in one semester is a lot of work? Try 15-19 credit hours, 6 children and starting up a business that involves traveling during the summer. That's what LTU Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student Sarah Thurmond has been doing this year.

Thurmond, whose husband and a son are fans of hardcore Christian music, was talking with her husband last year about the lack of traditional music-fan accessories in that genre. Normally, music fans can find t-shirts, hoodies and all other manner of clothing and accessories to display their music preferences, but the Thurmonds weren't having any luck. An idea sparked: if we can't find what we want, she reasoned, let's just create it ourselves!

At the time, Thurmond was enrolled in the New Ventures course (MGT3013) in the Undergraduate Management Programs, a course that focuses on the skills and knowledge necessary to design, launch, and manage a new venture. Through assignments in the course, Thurmond drafted a feasibility study to determine whether there was a market for the clothing, how much money she and her husband would need to invest and how best to launch the business. After the study was complete, Thurmond determined that the clothing business was a viable opportunity. After discussions with her husband and her family, the business was officially launched in December 2007 as Starve the Flesh Clothing.

In the New Ventures course, Thurmond also completed a market analysis and worked on the financial papers necessary for starting and funding the business. The Thurmonds' goal was to do the printing in-house using direct-to-garment technology. They didn't want to rely on third-party print-your-own-tee-shirt resources like Cafe Press -- they wanted full control over quality and print time frames. They also chose not to go with the older screenprinting process, the machinery and equipment for which are extremely costly, time consuming and do not produce the color intensity that can be produced in the direct-to-garment process. Although less expensive than the screenprinting equipment, the direct-to-garment printer (similar to an inkjet printer) was still pricey. Thurmond contacted the Small Business Association (SBA) and applied for a small business loan to cover the cost of printing in-house and the cost of the company's original inventory.

While it is often said that SBA loans are difficult to come by, Thurmond did not encounter any difficulties and was granted a loan, despite being a full-time student and not employed outside of the new company. Why? "I had a business plan," she explains, "and all the market analysis and financial papers" that she created in New Ventures. The SBA, as well as other funding organizations, look for strong documentation showing that the business is viable and worth investing in.

The next step was to create the designs. Not having a budget (or the need, yet) for a full time graphic design staff, Thurmond contacted the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit and hired a few students to develop designs on a freelance basis. Having the designs and the means to produce them, Thurmond needed a place for consumers to come and purchase the clothing and other itimes. The logical place? The Internet. Knowing that the business should be web-based, but without any prior website experience at all, Thurmond worked with Dr. Bush in the Undergraduate Management Programs on a directed study. In the course, Thurmond learned website theory and put it into immediate practice, developing the website, including e-commerce technology, for the company.

All companies need marketing in order to thrive. Thurmond and her husband identified three platforms to start their marketing efforts: Christian music festivals, Myspace.com and Facebook.com. All three areas are places where the company's target market already congregated, meaning the Thurmonds did not have to make an effot to first attract the audience and then deliver the message -- the audience was already there.

Thurmond took time over the summer to travel with her husband and children to various music festivals where she rented vendor space. Most festivals contract with vendors to let the vendors sell as much as they like, and then pay a percentage of profits to the festival at the end, rather than paying a flat fee up front for rent. The summer road trips were interesting, Thurmond reported. Her children, who ranged in age from three to sixteen years old, had various attention spans, and for some of them, sitting in booths for 12 hours a day was not going to work. Thurmond adjusted, however, and she and her husband and older children took turns working the booths and watching the younger family members.

And that's the ultimate goal that Thurmond has for Starve the Flesh -- that it becomes a business where all family members pitch in, and that it grows to a point where it can safely provide for the family's economic needs.

How did Thurmond get to LTU in the first place? She first learned of the university and its business programs in the 1990s, hearing positive assessments from business leaders in her community. She ultimately decided to pursue her degree in Information Technology after gaining an appreciation for the combination of theory and practice that LTU is known for. Now that she's been a full time student (and consistent Deans Honor Roll recipient), Thurmond says that she also likes the emphasis on communication in combination with technology within the degree programs as well as within individual courses.

Thurmond is continuing to develop her business as well as work toward completing her degree. Her company's website is http://starvetheflesh.com/

Need an Elective? Get a Recommendation from BusinessWeek's List of Top 5 Non-Business Classes Every Business Major Should Take

2008-09-08T11:59:00.000-04:00

LTU Business Management and Information Technology students have the advantage of an industry-vetted list of required pre-core and core courses to prepare them for their careers -- but they also have the advantage of taking a variety of elective courses so that they can concentrate their studies on more focused areas of interest. Sometimes, though, it's tough to decide what electives to take -- and, sometimes, students wonder "why is this course required?"

A recent article on BusinessWeek's website (available here: http://tinyurl.com/bwarticle), titled "Five Non-Biz Classes for Business Majors" and authored by Dan Macsai offers an answer to both questions. 3 of the courses on the list are required of LTU students, and Macsai's article gives additional insight into why these courses are vital for business majors. 2 other classs on the list are available to LTU students as electives, and are definitely worth considering. Based on input from various business programs and career services directors around the country, the article explains the relationship of each course to a career in business.

The five "Non-Biz Classes" are:

(1) Writing and literature,

(2) Economics,

(3) Foreign language,

(4) Psychology and

(5) Statistics

Why these 5? Macsai explains:

(1) Writing and literature. All LTU students, regardless of major, take a variety of writing and literature classes as part of LTU's Core Curriculum. Included in the core: World Masterpieces, Foundations and Development of the American Experience and a junior/senior level elective in Psychology, Social Science or Literature. Macsai points out:

Communication skills are necessary in any field, and business is no exception. Whether you're drafting a marketing pitch or leading a presentation, you should be "clear, concise, and memorable," says George John, the chair of marketing at Minnesota's Carlson School. And several composition classes can produce that all-important editorial voice. Studying advanced literature—especially the more complex authors, such as James Joyce or William Faulkner—can also help you learn to "think and analyze critically," says Colorado's [Mary] Banks [, Director of Career Services].

(2) Economics. All LTU students take at least one economics course, and students in the Business Management program take both macro- and microeconomics. Why economics? The article states:

Beyond illuminating basic financial theory, economics classes impart the historical context you'll need to make an informed business decision. Once you understand how inflation works and what drives consumer demand (among other concepts), you can understand—and, more importantly, analyze—past U.S. economic trends, including the Great Depression and 1970s-era stagflation. Then, says Banks, "you'll be able to tackle the tough questions, like 'How do we get out of this recession?'"

(3) Foreign language. LTU offers a minor in Spanish, the fastest-growing language in the United States, along with courses in German. BusinessWeek explains the importance of taking a foreign language:

As business goes global, there's a growing need for cross-cultural understanding. And even though you might not be working abroad, chances are your company will be. Studying a second language, especially Spanish or, in today's climate, Chinese, could give you a "critical edge" in the office, says Anne Pagel, director of undergraduate academic advising and student services at University of Arizona's Eller College of Management. And just knowing simple cultural skills, including the proper way to greet someone or give thanks, "can make you feel more at ease around a foreign client," she adds.

(4) Psychology. LTU offers a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a variety of career tracks, thus allowing business and IT students the option of taking electives in Intro to Psychology, Industrial Psychology, and others. Macsai notes:

If you're chasing a career that stresses marketing and sales—or any kind of prolonged social interaction—it helps to understand human behavior. Taking a psychology course can ensure you'll know how the brain works, what triggers an emotional response, and, to some degree, why consumers purchase certain items. You might even learn something about yourself in the process.

(5) Statistics. All Business Management students take at least one statistics course. Knowledge of statistics is vital, Macsai explains:

In the business world, basic math skills are essential—but not sufficient. "Everyone can add and subtract," Carlson's John says. "When you can look at numbers and see a narrative, that's a marketable skill." In a statistics course, you'll learn to manipulate jumbled figures into meaningful data. You'll be able to see old patterns and predict new ones. And if you wind up on Wall Street, you'll be better prepared to analyze those endless earnings reports and income statements—and, perhaps, make a million-dollar decision.

Welcome!

2008-08-29T09:48:00.001-04:00

Welcome...
to the blog for the Undergraduate Management Programs at Lawrence Technological University. This blog will feature upcoming events, interviews with successful LTU alumni, student and faculty research, current events in the business and IT worlds and more.

Suggestions for content, or requests to guest blog, are always welcome. Please contact Karen Evans, Director of Undergraduate Management Programs for the College of Arts and Sciences at kevans [at] ltu [dot] edu.

New to LTU's Undergraduate Management Programs? A Brief Background:

Lawrence Technological University was founded in 1932 on the principle that a university education should include both theory and practice, both in and out of the classroom. The Undergraduate Management Programs, which include a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and a Minor in Business Management, embrace this philosophy as one that is more valuable now than ever before. Whether students will go on to work for Fortune 500 companies, small enterprises, or to start their own ventures, they are well prepared for the many management, technical and other issues they will face. They are taught by faculty who have real-world experience in their respective fields in classes that are sized to encourage collaboration and teamwork. Students in the BSBM program are required to complete two internships before graduation, and students in the BSIT program are encouraged to do the same. LTU is continuously cultivating relationships with local employers across all industries to provide students with the most relevant and valuable internship experiences possible.