Kim Whitler / Darden

Helping Undergrad Marketers Connect To Darden And The MBA

Objective:  

This plan has two specific objectives: 1) connect undergrad marketing students with MBA marketing students at Darden, increasing network ties, and 2) help undergrad marketing students learn about marketing career paths through the MBA.

Idea:

Develop an event, to be held at Darden, that includes at least 15 undergrad marketing students and a panel of four MBA marketing students. The event would include a panel discussion, cocktails (soda and non-alcoholic beverages), and dinner. The event would be designed and coordinated by an undergrad marketing student who would work with me in July / August to: 1) determine the optimal way to identify the 15+ undergrad marketing students, 2) interview / identify the questions and content needs that undergrad marketing students would have for the panel of MBA students, 3) coordinate with the MBA marketing club to identify and prepare for the panel discussion, and 4) coordinate with Darden on the food / drinks. Further, the student would work on a research project so that they could also share insights during the panel discussions about their experience working on marketing research at Darden.

Budget Allocation:

Roughly 50/50 between the event and the student coordinator.

Benefits:

1)     Connect undergrad aspiring marketers with MBA students – connecting two UVA programs.

2)     Help aspiring marketing students understand one career path—through an MBA and the benefits/challenges/process of doing this.

3)     Help provide an undergrad with an opportunity to more deeply understand Darden, marketing research. Additionally, this will afford them with the opportunity to practice leadership by designing, organizing, and executing an event.