The LAUNCH Podcast

In this episode of Office Hours, Unofficially, we discuss UConn’s Accelerated Master’s Programs and how they can help students earn a graduate degree in less time and at a lower overall cost. We explore the benefits, opportunities, and considerations students should know when deciding if an accelerated master’s program is right for them.

Exploring Business Majors Undecided about your major? You're not behind, you're on schedule. Jose and Alex normalize the uncertainty most students feel and break down how UConn's business curriculum is actually built to let you explore your first year of coursework looks the same across majors, and you don't have to declare until your third term. The episode closes with three concrete moves: use t...

Finding Community and Networking Networking makes a lot of students uncomfortable, so Jose and Alex reframe it. It's not a transaction, it's finding your people and letting the relationship come first. This episode covers the sheer scale of UConn's club scene (400+ organizations, 30+ tied to the School of Business), the major-specific and affinity groups worth knowing, and concrete ways to actuall...

Welcome Back Whether it's your first semester or your fourth year, this episode is about getting the most out of your student experience. Jose and Alex walk through the Involvement Fair, Engage Now meetings, and the value of your Peer Mentor, then connect the dots to what comes next, Case Competitions, Forage simulations, Bloomberg certifications, and the platforms that build real skills outside t...

Meet the hosts of Office Hours, Unofficially, no appointment, just real talk. Jose Aponte and Alex Sauer, academic advisors at the UConn School of Business, introduce a show built on one idea: college is more than the classroom. Each episode spends about five minutes unpacking one thing worth your time a resource, a skill, or a person you should know that can make a real difference in your time as...

Learn ways to begin engaging with faculty.  Assistant Professor in Residence, Bill Ryan, shares some of his tips and strategies for connecting with faculty throughout your time at UConn.   Bill Ryan joined the Marketing faculty in 2011 to head our Professional Sales and Marketing Leadership programs. He is currently the Academic Director of the Professional Sales leadership Program. Bill has more...

Learn ways to build your intercultural competency for the global marketplace. Associate Director of Global Business Programs, Arminda Kamphausen, shares some of the many opportunities offered to prepare students to enter the increasingly interconnected business world. Students Kevin Gabree and Jadah Smith also share their experiences studying abroad as business students. More opportunities: https:...

Looking to grow your skills as you prepare for what comes next after graduation? Learn how to seek out and leverage experiences outside of the classroom like case competitions, micro-internships, and student organizations that will enable you to develop. Kelly Kennedy, Director of Transformative Learning in the UConn School of Business, explains what types of opportunities - in addition to the tra...

Join Kayla, Jose, and two former UConn student athletes as they describe the impact that athletics had on their student experiences and academics. You will hear from Bryant Shirreffs, former quarterback for the UConn football program, who graduated in 2017 from the undergraduate Business program with a major in Finance. He completed the UConn Masters in Financial Risk Management program in 2018. Y...

Hear from current UConn students Tiara Addison-Vick and Richmond Le as they explain how they found community at UConn. Learn why it is important to find community and practical first steps for doing so.

Join Kayla, Emma, and Jose in saying "see you later" to Emma as she moves on to the University of Oregon. Hear from our new LAUNCH Podcast host, Jose Aponte! You will also hear practical advice and encouragement as we look ahead to the fall 2021 semester, which will undoubtedly be a season of change and transition for students returning to campus.

In this episode, spring 2021 graduates of the UConn School of Business look back and share the wisdom they gathered throughout their time in college. Learn how to make your undergraduate career a life-transformative educational experience by listening to the advice and strategies from students who have been in your shoes. You will learn tips on how to strategically engage in experiential opportuni...

Listen to Business transfer students as they share their experiences and insight about transferring to the UConn School of Business from other colleges. You will also hear from Susan Harding, a UConn School of Business Advisor who supports our transfer student population. Learn how to ease your transition to UConn, leverage your time and experiences, and set yourself up for success. Aicha Ly is a...

You hear your advisors and faculty telling you all the time to get involved in student clubs and organizations. Is it truly that important? What do students have to gain from involvement outside of the classroom? In this episode, learn why taking part in experiential learning is so important for student learning and growth. Nikki Garcia also shares some first steps students can take to get involve...

Learn about the profound impact of being a part of a mentor-mentee relationship as it relates to your educational and career path, and your personal growth. Sonja and Kelly explain how to get started on identifying a possible mentor, and how to approach the relationship from both the lens of a mentor and a mentee. Further your learning through the power of mentorship. Sonja Narcisse is a Senior Vi...

Kayla and Emma interview Dr. Bill Ryan, Assistant Professor in-Residence in the Marketing Department at the University of Connecticut. Learn about the Marketing Management major, internship opportunities, and what the career path of a Marketing Management major looks like. Marketing student Jessica Lundgren also interviews Marketing Management student Hannah Smolicz about her experience in the pro...

This is a unique and challenging time for college students, and it is more important than ever to have strong strategies in place for your academics. As we gear up for another semester in a virtual environment, Kayla, Emma, and our Business Peer Advisors - current junior and senior Business students - share practical tips and suggestions to support you with your academics in the spring 2021 semest...

Learn about the importance of engaging with our diverse world through the opportunities that UConn offers. Students learn important skills by participating in opportunities like certificate series, student organizations, international immersion trips, and case competitions. Gaining experience by engaging in these types of opportunities is vital for launching your business career! Episode Resources...

Listen to Edward Lim, UConn Business Librarian, and Kelly Kennedy, Associate Director for Student Development and Outreach in the School of Business, as they delve into the career development resources offered by the UConn Library. Learn how the library can help you understand your industry, narrow down your companies/organizations of interest, better prepare for internship and job interviews, and...

Join Emma, Kayla, and Edward Lim to learn about the strategic library resources and tools at your fingertips as a School of Business student. Achieve academic excellence by utilizing all that the library has to offer, from research support and journal access, to industry search engines and citation resources. The library will be your new secret weapon to delving deeper into your academics, writing...

What do curiosity, empathy, and reading fiction have to do with entrepreneurship? Find out in this interview with Dr. David Noble, University of Connecticut Assistant Professor in-Residence in the Department of Management and Director of the Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Learn what simple steps you can take and what resources UConn offers to get started on your entrepreneurial...

Learn about UConn's MS program in Financial Risk Management(MSFRM), which prepares students to be leaders in the fields of finance, healthcare, insurance, and technology. Through hands-on experiences, MSFRM students learn how to identify, mitigate and thereby manage financial risks on a day to day basis. UConn School of Business Advisor, Jose Aponte, shares program details and then we interview cu...

Data runs the world! UConn's MS program in Business Analytics and Project Management (MSBAPM) prepares you to be a leader in the fields of data science, analytics, and project management. Current MSBAPM students, Haley Reierson and Giovanna Nogueira Sa, share their experiences in the program, which offers hands-on learning opportunities across industries. Interested in working in Healthcare? Marke...

As a University of Connecticut student you may have the opportunity to move between the different UConn campuses around the state. UConn students who campus-change most often go from one of the regional campuses in Hartford, Waterbury, Avery Point, or Stamford to Storrs. Learn about some common challenges and obstacles students face as they transition to the larger Storrs campus, and some helpful...

Learn how to set yourself up for optimal success with online learning. We talk to Ruth Elizabeth Morris, who offers simple and realistic strategies for studying, completing assignments, and otherwise engaging with online courses. Ruth Elizabeth Morris is the LAUNCH Program Coordinator, and also serves as an adjunct faculty member with the UConn School of Business. She is currently an instructor fo...