Lundquist College of Business students in the University of Oregon chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi) didn't set out to win national acclaim, they just wanted to help prepare fellow students for professional success. Last spring, the student-run chapter of AKPsi, a professional business society, collaborated with the UO Career Center to host the Dress for Success Fashion Show and Etiquette Dinner, which helps students hone their social skills while networking with potential employers.
By partnering with the Career Center, AKPsi students saw an opportunity to apply lessons learned in their courses. Consequently, fifty-two AKPsi students worked together in committees with the Career Center to plan and implement all facets of the event. Tasks included preparing and defending a budget, inviting employers to send representatives, selling sponsorships, and working with local businesses. The students even helped organize a Web 2.0 marketing campaign that made use of Facebook, an online social networking site.
"The project took our business education to a whole new level," said Maria Schell, president of UO's AKPsi chapter. "We are always completing group projects in our courses, but to work for an actual client changed the dynamic. There wasn't a professor telling you what was due when. We had to create our own deadlines, manage our own budgets, and learn how to best communicate our goals and progress."
"The collaboration was a great learning experience for students. It taught us how to problem solve and think creatively," added Schell. "We are grateful to UO Career Center staff for giving us this opportunity. Their expertise, knowledge, and contacts helped AKPsi members succeed."
As a result of AKPsi's hard work, 180 students--a significant increase--gained important networking skills at the Dress for Success Fashion Show and Business Etiquette Dinner. Not only that, the event was recognized at the national AKPsi convention in Washington, D.C., in August 2007 as the Best Professional Event of the Year among 200 active chapters. At the convention, UO student Alex Peerenboom was also named the national AKPsi Brother of the Year. It was an incredible honor considering that AKPsi boasts nearly 10,000 members with alumni including Ronald Reagan and Lee Iacocca.
Article updated based on additional information from AKPsi and the UO Career Center.