Members Learn About Themselves at Student Leadership Forum

While many college students participated in the ritualized dress-up and scare-fest that is known as Halloween, 82 student members of Beta Gamma Sigma met in Baltimore, Md., to take part in the Student Leadership Forum 2003-04.

Some of the most promising young business careers got a “kick-start” as Beta Gamma Sigma held its annual Forum Oct. 30 through Nov. 2, 2003. Student members from across the country took part in programs and special sessions designed to help them in their transition from college student to business professional. More than 70 business schools sponsored students from their chapters, and participants went away impressed at the value of the program.

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“As business majors, a majority of us are left brain people,” said William Andreoni, a student member from La Salle University. “We tend to think objectively and analyze every situation thoroughly in order to produce a sound answer. For the first time in years, we were challenged and forced to think intuitively and/or subjectively. We were told to think with our hearts and feel with our brains.”

The very successful Student Leadership Forum program has grown in popularity among the collegiate chapters that have sent representatives, and the Society is planning two Forums for 2005. In the future, more students will be able to participate and learn through the Student Leadership Forum’s unique blend of team-based and individual programs. Students get the opportunity to lead and participate as an important part of their teams, yet benefit from individual self-reflection and prepare for their professional futures.

For the first time, participating members benefited from interacting with former Forum participants who returned to share their stories of transitioning from life as high-ranking business school students to their current status as young professionals. These Beta Gamma Sigma members shared stories about their first days on the job, how to ask for a raise, how to network, and how to get ahead while working to maximize their employers’ goals. This panel discussion and subsequent question-and-answer session proved to be very popular with the students in attendance, as it gave them real-life examples of the journeys they are about to take.

And the former Forum participants who served on the panel each remembered his or her Student Leadership Forum experience fondly.

“One of the things I remember was a session we did in which we drew a picture of how we saw our future,” said John Bly, an associate in the Private Company Services Group with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, “which included the things that were most important in our lives. I have always been very motivated by success and family, and from that session it became apparent to me that my future would involve juggling the two and always making decisions based on what would be best for my personal life, and not necessarily for money.”

Bly, a Forum participant in 2001, relayed a story about his private life. He said as an avid golfer, he realized that the activity would take a great deal of time away from his family life. So, when he got married he taught his wife the game, and now they play golf together almost every weekend. He said this was just an example of how the session, “Learning to Read the Signs: Uncovering the Values Driving Your Business and Personal Decisions” helped him make choices in life.

Kina Beale, Jeffrey Kermah and Susmitha Thomas – all 2002 participants of the Student Leadership Forum – also volunteered their time and talents at the 2003-04 event. Beale recalled the friendships that developed quickly among people with different, yet similar, backgrounds.

“I never imagined that I’d have such a great time when I attended the Forum,” she said. “I had fun meeting other BGS members from across the country, interacting with my group, and just talking with students very much like myself about my dreams, expectations and fears.”

Many of the collegiate chapters are committed to sending student members to future Forums because they see a real growth to those who have attended. Bruce Brorby, Associate dean, College of Business Administration and Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Detroit Mercy, wrote in an email that he was impressed with his students when they returned to campus.

“Just wanted you to know that Dominic Paluzzi brought back glowing reports about this year’s program,” wrote Brorby. “He felt that it was a really outstanding experience.

“Having received similar reactions from previous participants, we know that this is a most worthwhile program. I am writing that you reserve a space for a University of Detroit Mercy student at next year’s Forum.”

The next Student Leadership Forum is scheduled for November 2004 in San Antonio, Texas, and many chapters have already submitted registrations.

The following are reactions from students who attended the last Forum, and they are the reasons that Beta Gamma Sigma is committed to continuing and expanding this very important program.

“I think the conference was a great way to meet our peers at schools from around the nation. It was a great opportunity to share ideas and network with future business leaders.”
Lauren Chestnut, University of South Carolina

“Attending the BGS Student Leadership Forum allowed me to take a good look at my life and my potential as a leader. Talking to students about their own experiences, aspirations and frustrations was also beneficial. It helped me to realize that in spite of our different backgrounds we share the same thoughts.”
Kelly Alston, North Carolina A&T State University

“The BGS Leadership Forum was so much more than a leadership conference. The activities and presentations helped me explore my values and aspirations. The BGS forum gave me a greater understanding of goals and myself for the future.”
Leslie Morrow, Valparaiso University

“The 2003-04 BGS Forum was more than I expected. Everyone on the staff went out of their way. I never dreamed so many people would have the same values and goals in life as me. Also, I had a great time in Baltimore and the Friday night dinner was great! Please call upon me for any assistance needed. I am excited to bring back many BGS ideas and activities to my school.”
Dominic Paluzzi, University of Detroit Mercy

“All I can say is thank you. This has got to be the best and most beneficial conference I have ever attended. My time here has bettered me as an individual and a professional.”
Holli Schlesinger, Illinois State University

“The leadership forum was an incredible experience that I will truly cherish for years to come. The coordinators, facilitators and participants were genuine and remarkable individuals. I have gained a wealth of knowledge both academically and socially, and will convey this to my chapter on campus. Thank you.”
Anwar Lamar Young, Morgan State University