The Senior Experience Program in the College of Business Administration at California State University San Marcos matches teams of students with projects submitted by local businesses and organizations. Students gain valuable experience, knowledge and skills by working on rigorous, real-world projects that require teamwork and application of classroom knowledge.
"The students approached the project with a great amount of enthusiasm, seriousness and professionalism," said Emmet Durum , GM of Westfield Plaza Camino Real in Carlsbad. "It was not just something they had to do but something they had a passion in doing. It was a marketing research project, including a customer intercept survey and it is as good as any consultant’s report. My hat is off to them. It is great program. I will be doing more with Senior Experience."
Through the program businesses also reap rewards. They receive concentrated attention from bright, energetic teams that provide a fresh, independent look at their projects. Each student team works under the supervision of a faculty member.
"I learned how to deal with people of completely different backgrounds and upbringings from myself. I learned how to deal with a sponsor contact who was an entrepreneur at heart," says Cory Barnhart, a CSUSM student.
The projects submitted for the Senior Experience Program vary according to the organization. Examples of past projects include: developing accounting and information management systems, analyzing manufacturing processes, studying new marketing opportunities, providing improved customer service, analyzing human resources programs and helping develop new entrepreneurial businesses.
Many of San Diego County's most significant businesses have participated in the Senior Experience program, including: QUALCOMM, Sony Electronics, Sea World of San Diego, Hewlett Packard and LEGOLAND California. Additionally, many medium and small companies have participated, as well as governmental agencies such as the City of San Diego, the County of San Diego, the San Diego Police Department and the Oceanside Police Department.
Businesses and organizations can request a Senior Experience team by proposing a project. The application form is available online at www.csusm.edu/seniorexperience. A fee of $1,000 per project is requested to offset the costs of the program. The deadline for submitting proposals for the Fall 2006 semester is June 15, 2006. For additional information, contact Keith Butler at (760)750-4266.
"The students approached the project with a great amount of enthusiasm, seriousness and professionalism," said Emmet Durum , GM of Westfield Plaza Camino Real in Carlsbad. "It was not just something they had to do but something they had a passion in doing. It was a marketing research project, including a customer intercept survey and it is as good as any consultant’s report. My hat is off to them. It is great program. I will be doing more with Senior Experience."
Through the program businesses also reap rewards. They receive concentrated attention from bright, energetic teams that provide a fresh, independent look at their projects. Each student team works under the supervision of a faculty member.
"I learned how to deal with people of completely different backgrounds and upbringings from myself. I learned how to deal with a sponsor contact who was an entrepreneur at heart," says Cory Barnhart, a CSUSM student.
The projects submitted for the Senior Experience Program vary according to the organization. Examples of past projects include: developing accounting and information management systems, analyzing manufacturing processes, studying new marketing opportunities, providing improved customer service, analyzing human resources programs and helping develop new entrepreneurial businesses.
Many of San Diego County's most significant businesses have participated in the Senior Experience program, including: QUALCOMM, Sony Electronics, Sea World of San Diego, Hewlett Packard and LEGOLAND California. Additionally, many medium and small companies have participated, as well as governmental agencies such as the City of San Diego, the County of San Diego, the San Diego Police Department and the Oceanside Police Department.
Businesses and organizations can request a Senior Experience team by proposing a project. The application form is available online at www.csusm.edu/seniorexperience. A fee of $1,000 per project is requested to offset the costs of the program. The deadline for submitting proposals for the Fall 2006 semester is June 15, 2006. For additional information, contact Keith Butler at (760)750-4266.