Part 3: Life in the College/Student Life

A Guide for UCF College of Business Students & Family

Our Culture of Engagement

We have a strong culture of engagement in the College of Business with hundreds of events for students, faculty, staff, alumni and potential employers each year. Students are expected to get out of their comfort zones, engage with people who are different than them and become good collaborators, communicators and data-driven decision-makers. We stress “doing” as much as “knowing,” and this requires a change in mindset for students who are accustomed to more passive forms of learning that focus on class lectures.

Our own experience and a lot of research demonstrates the importance of students immersing themselves in this college experience. Students who are involved on campus, who forge strong friendships with other students and get to know their professors, academic advisors and career coaches are much more likely to stay in school, progress through the curriculum, graduate on time and land the job of their choice. This doesn’t mean students need to participate in everything—that would be a bad idea. But it does mean they should focus on the key activities that will help them along the way including joining a student club associated with their major and career goals, networking, participating in mentoring programs and attending college sponsored events.

Five Tips for Succeeding in the College

1. GET INVOLVED! This is the absolute best way to find people with common interests, to find your niche and to find your UCF family. There are hundreds of registered student organizations to join, including intramural sports, student government, fraternities, and sororities, and more. And if there is not a club or organization you are interested in, we encourage our students to create their own.
2. BUILD YOUR NETWORK. In the business world, relationships and connections will play a big part in your career. Meet classmates to form study groups or collaborate on group projects to help you succeed in classes and add new friends to your circle. Interact with companies and alumni through The EXCHANGE, or as we call it, the heart of engagement at the college. At The EXCHANGE, a community leader, corporate partner or alum will host the conversation and you’ll have the opportunity to listen and ask questions. We are planning virtual Exchanges, as well as in-person events following CDC guidelines.

We are launching a new mentorship program called the Business Knights Network, where you can be matched with a community leader or alumnus who has many years of experience in an industry. These mentors are both local and located all over the country (we have even had mentors in different countries!) willing to help you grow.

3. SUIT UP and GET HIRED! Think about your professional development as soon as you become a business student. We have an entire office dedicated to this. The Office of Professional Development is the one-stop spot for all the tools to help you get an internship, job or promotion. From the Advising team (A-Team) to the Career Coaches, our staff will help with all your needs, such as resume reviews, mock interviews and professional advice.
   
   We also have our own internship and job board called Knightline, where you can search and apply for jobs. Events like The Invitational provide opportunities to connect with employers and learn about available internships and jobs. Both are exclusive to College of Business students.
4. STRATEGIES for SUCCESS Life as a student can get hectic, so start thinking of strategies to help you succeed in the classroom. Our ambassadors recommend reviewing your syllabus for course requirements, getting to know your professors and making a study calendar!
   After studying, make sure to make time to reward yourself for all your hard work. Find out what works best for you. Not every student learns or studies the same, so it might take some trial and error. Once you find what works best for you, stick with it and you will be successful.

   There will still be plenty of opportunities to meet fellow Knights through fun activities, so introduce yourself to your classmates and neighbors!