Last Friday Darden held the first "Undergrad Day at Darden" in which all undergraduate University students were given the opportunity to learn more about Darden's M.B.A. program. In previous years, Darden limited the event to Commerce School students only.
Fifty-one students attended the event, representing the College, the Engineering School and the Commerce School, said Scott Stemberger, Darden student and undergrad day organizer.
Stemberger said the day consisted of panel discussions with Darden students, all of whom attained their undergraduate degrees from the University as well.
The attendees also were invited to participate in a faculty and administration panel discussion. Admissions officers explained the criteria they look for in Darden applicants.
The Darden Student Association Discretionary Fund funded the event, which included lunch in the Abbott Center, Darden's restaurant-style cafeteria.
"Next year we hope to have corporate sponsors so that it can be a bigger and better orchestrated event," Stemberger said.
He added that he would like to see the event grow next year to include 150 to 200 students in attendance, and he also said he hopes that they will be able to sit in on classes.
Last semester, Stemberger created a mentoring program that is also open to all majors. The purpose of the program is to pair an undergraduate with a Darden student who helps review the undergraduate's resume, prepare them for interviews, educate them on the application process and teach them about Darden.
Karen Knierim, associate dean of University Career Services, said she anticipates they will begin to take applications for next year's program in mid-September.
"The application is not a screen out process, it allows us to match up pairs efficiently," Stemberger said.
He added that the goal of the program is to match undergraduates with Darden students who hold career experience in the areas those undergraduate students matched with them may want to pursue.
Knierim said that a preliminary evaluation of the new mentoring program has indicated overwhelmingly positive feedback.
A new position has subsequently been added to the Darden Student Association for the upcoming academic year. The Undergraduate Mentoring and Career Development Representative will be responsible for continuing to facilitate a strong relationship between University undergraduates and the Darden School, according to Scott Stemberger, Darden student and creator of the position.
Stemberger said the new representative will essentially take over all of the roles that he created over the past year. He or she will be responsible for overseeing the mentoring program created in the fall, organizing the "Undergrad Day at Darden," as well as organizing the two career panels each year.
"Scott has done a phenomenal job, and he has set an incredible precedent for the new representative," said Sarah Isham, assistant director for career services for the Commerce School.
Read More
Summer construction on Grounds disrupts traffic, foot pathways
By Ford McCracken | 4 hours agoOne of the two largest disruptions to traffic is at the three-way intersection of McCormick Road, Rugby Road and University Avenue.
What is U.Va.’s Faculty Senate?
By Adeline Miller | 4 days agoThe Senate is able to represent the faculty perspective to legislative bodies through positions such as the faculty representative to the Board of Visitors.
UJC finalizes 15 cases in spring semester
By Grace Little | 4 days ago10 pending cases remain on the docket to be processed in the fall.
