Smith School Incorporates Programs, Alumni to Help Students

              The Robert H. Smith School of Business combines practical programs with alumni communication in better preparing students for interviews and job opportunities.

A March report published by Business Week indicated students provided positive feedback about the Smith School, but recruiters ranked it poorly. One of the two held true.

In talking with seven recruiters, primarily from accounting firms, not a single one had a negative thing to say about the Smith School or its students. In fact, some recruiters even acknowledged the quality work of Smith students.

            "They're good performers, and do well at our firm," said Dori M. Jamison, a campus recruiter for PricewaterhouseCoopers, an internationally recognized accounting firm.

            Kevin Matuszak, a junior accounting and finance major, was reassured by "fairly high opinions recruiters held of Smith students."

            Smith designs programs to develop all areas of their student body. Dr. J. Gerald Suarez, the Associate Dean of External Strategy, said the school's programs use a "comprehensive approach to student preparation." According to Suarez, the Smith School has a database with more than 500 listed recruiters, which "increases the year-round contact with recruiters during hiring season."

Students raved about the programs the Smith School has in place for practice interviews.

            "I participated in one mock interview where I met with four recruiters," said Robert Rush, a junior accounting and information systems major.

            Outside of interview workshops, the Smith School also offers students networking opportunities with recruiters.

            "The Smith School Career Center is a useful resource for anyone preparing for an interview," Matuszak added.

Part-time University of Maryland MBA candidates return to bridge the gap for current undergraduate Smith students, serving as an "extension of the staff." The Smith School also appreciates the returning alumni, who become a new source of preparation and employment for students.

            "We welcome the alumni and treat them as an enhancement to what we do," Suarez said.

            These tools allow the Smith School to project the "value of its students to the world," according to Suarez. In turn, this helps to evaluate the students' benefits to the entire Smith community.