Did you know Kean's business program has the largest number of students? Are you a business major? Do you have experience? Are you interested in International Business, but don't know where to start? If so, then I have good news for you. Kean University's own International Trade Practicum is an International Market Expansion Team Consulting Program offered by the Management and Marketing Departments. Some things are inevitable in the real world when searching for a job. If everyone has an education and a degree, what sets you apart from the masses? Students in the International Trade Practicum program have the answers. The program provides the type of "resume-worthy" experiences that set you apart from the crowd. The priceless experience helps student prepare for a career, while working alongside real businesses by gaining inside knowledge and a true understanding of international business. Project Director, Dr. David Shani, and Project Coordinator Dr. Joe McGill recognize that International business experience is more important that ever in business education and career preparation. To address the need for International experience, the U.S. Department of Education awarded a Grant to Kean University for the International Trade Practicum Program. This grant allows students the opportunity to gain 'real world' management experience helping businesses from the area expand internationally. If it sounds like a big deal, that's because it is. The program started in fall 2004 after receiving the highly competitive grant to support International Business. The fall 2004 program consisted of 6 businesses with 3-4 students per business. Students in the program major in Marketing, Management, and International Business. Throughout the semester, students meet with faculty weekly, work with business consultants in workshops, and utilize a lot of online communication to store information and maintain contact. The programs requirements are rigorous and involve high standards of commitment to the team and the business. As the only one of its kind in New Jersey, it provides an opportunity to play a role in management decisions at a real business. The Practicum allows students to apply classroom theory to real world situations by working in small teams to research countries and develop plans for businesses interested in international expansion. While working with a business throughout the semester, each team gains an understanding of the business, identifies the best markets, and presents its expansion plans to the business. Students receive 3 credit hours and special certification for participation and completion, along with the valuable hands on experience.
A team of all- female Kean Students: Denise Silva, Anna Bermiel, and Jasmine Dale worked with Sherani / Pump Up Cosmetics. This experience confirmed they were on the right career track and has solidified the decision to further their education.
Denise Silva, International Business major, feels very confident that when she applies for a job she has real work experience to show what she has accomplished. She now has inside knowledge about how a small company would go about expanding. Denise says, textbooks are just a summary of what to expect, in the program you learn more than what you would from the textbook, work with possible clients, conduct research, and establish contacts. You experience what the textbook does not teach.
According to Anna Bermeo teamwork is crucial to the experience. "Working as a team we share the leads and have more time to research the company, and market." You can organize and focus on multiple things to gather more information. Working in the cosmetics industry was a great experience.
Jasmine Dale said the most important things you will get from this experience are the "actual hands-on experience of working with the businesses and getting to know other people and working with them as a team.
Beyond the student benefits, businesses receive valuable insights about target markets, competition, and potential sales. Lynn Sammarro, VP of Marketing for Sherani Cosmetics (www.sherani.com), does not hesitate to share how the International Trade Practicum program and team of Kean Students has proved to be an invaluable tool for the business. Sherani's products are only available through high-end salons and are often used by celebrities, so the team needed to factor this in to their research to figure out what country would be best for exports. When the business is ready and the research completed, the information is at their fingertips. Since small businesses wear several hats at once, the research and advice provided by students is very important to the success of the business.
The future of The International Trade Practicum program is very bright. For example, student teams in the current semester are working with a wireless communications start-up interested in Southeast Asia, an inks and dyes firm interested in South America, and a candy company wanting to expand to the Middle East. As the only one of its kind in New Jersey, it is strong and getting stronger. When we look to the future we imagine growth, for ourselves and everything around us. As a program that guarantees growth for the student and the business, it is bound to grow itself. Students can help themselves gain real word experience while helping businesses expand to an international market. An opportunity like this does not come along every day; this is the chance of a lifetime people write about in autobiographies. Just when you think you have experienced all that Kean has to offer, a rare program like the International Trade Practicum comes along to sweep you off your feet.
Business students will receive information about the fall 2005 Practicum before the summer break, including an application form that requires students to write a short essay describing their interest in the program. Meanwhile, to get more information about the International Trade Practicum program email Dr. Joseph McGill at jmcgill@kean.edu or call 908 737-4166.
