A question-and-answer session with Business Week President Christina Bender:
Business Week, which began in 1979, is a longstanding tradition in the College of Business. The mission of the Business Week Team is to partner with the Dean’s office in the planning, promotion and implementation of various College of Business functions throughout the year that culminate during Business Week in the spring. Participation on the Business Week Team helps members develop essential communication, organization, problem solving, collaboration, leadership and project management skills that employers prize.
Each activity, presentation and event held by this RSO is designed to foster students’ appreciation for the array of skills required in a dynamic and constantly changing professional environment in ways that can’t be duplicated in a classroom situation. Speakers and activities address topics such as leadership, corporate social responsibility, business etiquette, effective networking, goal setting, interviewing skills and career management.
Q: What is the focus of the Business Week team?
A: The focus of Business Week is to provide professional development activities for Illinois State students by connecting the students with industry professionals, alumni, and faculty. Because Business Week usually runs the last week of March, the Business Week Committee has the entire year to plan and prepare for the events.
Q: What leadership opportunities does Business Week have?
A: There are many leadership opportunities within Business Week. These are the following positions: President, Vice President/Marketing Director, Logistics Director, Mentor Program Coordinators (2), Professional Development Coordinator (2), CSR Coordinator (2), Transition Seminar Coordinator (2), Site Day Coordinator (2), Leadership Perspectives Dinner, Implementation Team Members, and Lead Mentors.
Q:What other opportunities and benefits are there of being a member of Business Week?
A: As a member of Business Week, each member has the opportunity to plan and coordinate a large project that is open to hundreds of people. In addition, members are benefitted with professional experience that is applicable to their future career.
Q: What kind of community can one expect in Business Week?
A: The community is very professional and business-oriented. We are all very goal-oriented and motivated as a unit.
Q: What is your favorite part about Business Week?
A: My favorite part about Business Week is the professional project management experience in which I have gained. I have also enjoyed working with the various team members with the primary goal of creating a successful Business Week.
Q: When and where does Business Week meet?
A: We meet in the State Farm Hall of Business at 7 a.m. on Tuesday mornings year-round.
For information on how to join the team for the Business Week team for 2014, e-mail the president, Christina Bender at crbende@ilstu.edu.
