Halliburton Program Develops Business Leaders From Liberal Arts, Science Students
The McCombs School will graduate 91 students this Friday from the Halliburton Business Foundations Summer Institute, an eight-week program that exposes non-business majors to the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as business leaders.
Regina Hughes, director of the Business Foundations Program“This program grew out of a realization that some of our best business leaders graduate from programs other than the business school,” said Regina Hughes, senior lecturer in finance and director of the Business Foundations Program.
Hughes said the program, now in its fourth year, makes students more valuable in all phases of their career. This year’s recruiting companies include Halliburton, Dow Chemical, Google, Bazaarvoice, American Airlines and Facebook.
“Halliburton recognizes that by opening the doors of the business school to other students, they are helping create a new generation of business leaders with unique perspectives on culture, science, engineering and other disciplines,” she said.
Halliburton, the Houston-based energy company that sponsors the institute, plans to continue funding and to make the program available and affordable to all University of Texas at Austin students, Hughes said.
Courses cover the fundamentals of accounting, international business, management, marketing and finance. During the Summer Institute, coursework is integrated and complemented with group projects.
The program has enrolled 238 students to date. The 91 students participating in the program this summer represent all but one school on campus.
“With that diversity, presentations became works of art with students adding their own special touch,” Hughes said.
Students benefit from learning opportunities not offered during the regular school year, including team-building opportunities, résumé and business communications workshops, mock interviews and etiquette luncheons.
Christian Garcia, senior vice president of investor relations for Halliburton, discusses investment management with the students and is one of several guest speakers. Others include Gordon Massie, author of “The Whistleblower’s Dilemma,” a first-person account of facing accounting fraud.
Applications for the Halliburton Business Foundations Summer Institute are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis each year, with up to 100 students selected. For more information, visit http://new.mccombs.utexas.edu/bba/business-foundations.
Watch a video about the Summer Institute:
Comments
#1 This was an amazing program;
This was an amazing program; I have learned so much about business in general that I would have gone blindly into had I not taken this class. A great basic business knowledge was provided and I really do cherish it. I really loved the "marketplace" simulation that we did-it reinforced most of our classes and really taught me how to lead a group and deal with deadlines and projects beyond what I thought was possible to complete in a given time. This class taught me teamwork and a great deal of time management. It is amazing how much more efficient I am at getting tasks done now as opposed to how long it took us at the beginning. This program is a must for any engineer who plans on leading their group, or starting their own business someday down the road. An phenomenalprogram that I would take again in a heartbeat-Thanks HBFSI.
#2 Awesome program! I learned
Awesome program! I learned more about the real applications of business than I ever would have if I had taken these courses individually.
#3 If you are looking to a great
If you are looking to a great way to challenge yourself, HBFSI is the perfect program to involve yourself with. It is a program that forces one to REALLY WORK. Everyone is not cut-out for this. Prerequisites of drive, devotion and sacrifice are required. With all that said, you end the summer an improved version of who you used to be, with experiences you never thought to acquire and people you would have never imagined meeting.Regardless of all the stress i went through in this program, i wouldn't take it back for anything. Real life has no breaks and slows down for no one, and that is what HBFSI successfully instilled in me. Amazing program, amazing lessons, amazing perks, amazing educators, amazing environment. -Thanks Halliburton Business Foundations Summer Institute .
#4 This program was one of the
This program was one of the best experiences in my life. The way that the program was set up, you essentially talk, breathe, and eat business for 8 weeks. That kind of environment is not like taking the foundations classes one by one when your schedule permits it. The amount of knowledge that I've retained from this program is amazing. Not only did I add a great academic experience to my life, but I met some great friends along the way. The people that participated in the program with me along with the professors made the work intense 8 weeks well worth it.
#5 Echoing what others have
Echoing what others have already posted, this program is demanding by nature, with 15 semester hrs in just two months. Despite being challenging, it's an invaluable program for anyone interested in gaining fundamental business knowledge. The small class sizes and the interconnected nature of the courses make it a unique experience. Additionally, the professors make you feel like you are more than just a number and are clearly passionate about what they teach. Along the way, you'll become friends with a lot of other academically ambitious students from all different majors and backgrounds.
#6 Totally worth it!! I would
Totally worth it!! I would recommend this program to any non-business major without a second thought. Having a basic knowledge of business is useful, some would even say essential, as a young professional, and HBFSI not only provides this, but it helps forge a special bond with the other students who take the 8-week plunge. It was great experience.
#7 I just finished this program
I just finished this program a couple weeks ago and already I am using what I learned! I was amazed by how organized and well put together the entire summer was. The concepts I learned and experiences I was able to take part in were truly amazing. From interviews to simulations, we got to do it all. And I met some really neat people and professors along the way. Awesome professors, awesome program! Would do it all over again tomorrow, definitely worth it!
Leave a comment
We want to hear from you! To keep discussions on-topic and constructive, comments are moderated for relevance and for abusive or profane language.