Layout 2 - The Paul Merage School of Business - University of ...

28
“The mentorship
program at the
Merage School has
been priceless. I
was fortunate to
have a mentor
who not only
understood my
goals and
ambitions but
helped me to
refine them and
assist in outlining
effective methods
to reach my goals.
We also had the
opportunity to
attend networking
events together.
Overall, I feel I
have developed a
long-term
mentor-mentee
relationship.
”
– ALPA JAIN
FEMBA 2011
A Sample of Our Centers’ Most Popular Programs
Make Your Idea a Reality: Business Plan Competition
Sponsored by the Don Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Business Plan
Competition provides potential financing and other assistance to turn your vision into reality.
Open to all UC Irvine students, faculty and researchers, the competition pairs coaches and
teams to compete for the opportunity to win substantial cash prizes and recognition for the
most compelling business plans – as well as potential seed financing of up to $1 million from
Tech Coast Angels.
Experience Investment Analysis: Polaris Investment Competition
Sponsored by the Center for Investment and Wealth Management, the Polaris Investment
Competition is a high-level MBA-related competition open to all Merage School MBA students.
Teams work together to choose investments and create a portfolio – using real money. The
investment funds, totaling $1.5 million to $2 million per year, are generously provided by local
venture capitalist Chuck Martin.
The investment competition immerses students in the valuation, risk analysis, forecasting,
pricing, and financial analysis of publicly traded companies. The selected teams make buy and
sell decisions throughout one entire calendar year. The profits received from the competition –
up to $8,000 per team member – are shared with the students to help offset tuition costs.
Learn Directly from Business Leaders: Executive Mentor Program
Sponsored by The Center for Global Leadership and Team Development, the Executive Mentor
Program pairs students with senior executives in the business community, enabling students to
develop an understanding of career progression, and to gain additional skills and abilities.
Mentors work in a variety of different fields and industries, and are typically at the senior
management level. Participants receive valuable feedback from these experienced
professionals while expanding their network and learning first-hand about their field of interest.
Mentoring activities range from individual meetings, professional association meetings,
company site visits, shadowing and social functions. Most meetings are scheduled individually
between mentors and protegés.
Help Non-Profits: Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative
The Social Responsibility Initiative (SRI) cultivates leadership skills and fosters corporate and
personal responsibility in the community. Through assigned class projects, students work on a
pro-bono basis with non-profit organizations to analyze problems and make recommendations.
JOSH NEEDLE
FEMBA 2010
The Bascom Group, LLC
Senior Analyst- Business
Development
Irvine
BS, University of Colorado,
Boulder
Josh Needle came to the Merage School to focus on Real Estate after meeting with
Professor Kerry Vandell and learning about the Center for Real Estate (CRE). As the
recipient of the 2009-10 Center for Real Estate-NAIOP fellowship, he has taken
advantage of the many opportunities at the CRE to get beyond the books, and has
taken part in mentorship programs, the Merage Real Estate Association, and numerous
professional training events.
“One could easily make the connection between my involvement with the CRE and
my career growth. The Real Estate Program at the Merage School is well positioned
with top academic leadership, strong local business involvement, and a motivated
student body. These factors have helped greatly in the development of my professional
network,” Josh says.
The ability to have classes in a flexible format allowed Josh to grow in his career while
still in school, as well as focus on his own entrepreneurial real estate projects. Before
leaving the program, he founded the UCI Real Estate Alumni Association, and
continues to stay involved at the Merage School.
“The blend of academics and real world application helped to accelerate the growth of
my abilities and capacity. It seems every week I learned something in the classroom,
which gave me insight into a routine business practice, or challenged me to think about
doing things differently and develop creative solutions.”
29