Texas A&M University recently recognized 70 engineering undergraduate and graduate students who earned their business management certificates.
The business management certificate (BMC) program, which is a joint program between the Dwight Look College of Engineering and the Mays Business School, was established in 2005 to provide engineering students with a highly intensive program to acquire knowledge in the areas of accounting, finance, marketing, supply chain, management and communications.
“The college of engineering has launched a number of programs to promote innovation and entrepreneurial mindsets and provide our graduates with the knowledge and skills to lead corporations in technological innovations. The business management certificate is one of these programs,” said Magda Lagoudas, executive director of industry and nonprofit partnerships.
The annual program is composed of an intensive 90-hour course between the spring and summer semesters where students attend class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Participants have an opportunity to practice their newly acquired skills on a team project. Seven capstone design projects from the Engineering Project Showcase were nominated by faculty to be considered for the BMC program. BMC participants worked with the project inventors and completed a business market analysis as part of the program. All teams presented their business market analysis findings at the conclusion of the program in front of a panel of judges consisting of industry engineers and faculty.
“I love the fact that there was a project presentation, it really challenged us to use the skills we learned and apply them as we would in a real life manner,” said one participant of the program. “I find a program of this type very valuable and I am so happy that I was given the opportunity to participate.”
Another participant added, “This entire experience was amazing. I was shocked at how much information I learned and was able to retain. I now feel confident that I can share my knowledge of the skills taught to potential employers, and that my participation has increased my value not only as an employee, but also as an individual.”
Students who complete the course are awarded a business management certificate from Mays Business School Center for Executive Development. The highly competitive program received more than 170 applications from students.
The program, which is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, is offered to students at a significantly reduced cost through the generous support of Halliburton. In addition to the financial support, Halliburton engineers also served as judges for the project market analysis.