Dive Summary:
- The demand for summer business school programs for students with liberal arts backgrounds--which have been offered at a handful of universities for nearly two decades with other business schools exploring the idea in recent years--is an indicator of their ability help students break into a tough job market, especially in the last few years.
- The programs all have a personalized focus that reflects their institution, but typically offer immersive courses that teach basic business skills and principles; more focused skills like economics, marketing, finance and management; and career development and professional skills.
- Andy Chan, Wake Forest's vice president for personal and career development, says that being able to understand these basics and demonstrate them in job interviews definitely helps students career-wise, regardless of whether they're looking for work at for-profit or non-profit companies, or in government, medicine or law.
From the article:
In the two decades or so since a handful of business schools started launching intensive summer courses for students with liberal arts backgrounds, high demand has led some to expand their enrollment. More recently, other business schools are investing in the idea, with one piloting its new program just this summer. The demand for these business school programs, particularly in the last few years, indicates at least in part their potential to help students break into a tough job market - Villanova University's Summer Business Institute, of instance, enrolled students in record numbers the last two years, numbers that have been climbing since the 2008 recession triggered a one-year dip in otherwise steadily rising demand. The 10-week, $9,200 program, now in its 16th year, most recently drew 112 students. ...