Behrend Student Engagement Opportunities

The Black School of Business offers a wide range of career readiness programs and social activities, including student clubs, events, and other engagement opportunities. These are all designed to go hand-in-hand with your degree, giving you that extra edge in the competitive business world.

Black School of Business Student Club and Organization Events

Each business major has a club led by students and advised by faculty within the major. Visit the Student Club and Organization Events page or BehrendSync to find updated club and event information.

Business Student Engagement

  • Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS): BGS is the international honor society of AACSB-accredited schools. The society encourages and honors academic achievement in the study of business and cultivates leadership and professional excellence.
  • Behrend Business Day: Behrend Business Day, co-sponsored by the Black School of Business and Future Business Leaders of America, introduces regional high school students to business basics by having them participate in a stock market simulation, mock business courses, and other activities.
  • Business Ambassadors: Business Ambassadors support recruiting and outreach efforts at the Black School of Business by participating in recruitment, retention, and outreach activities both on and off campus.
  • CFA Institute Research Challenge (IRC): Students gain real-world experience as they assume the role of a research analyst with hands-on mentoring and intensive training in financial analysis and professional ethics during this annual global competition.
  • Corporate Events: We partner with companies interested in bringing their expertise to students or talking with students about internships and job opportunities. Guest speakers bring topics of interest and share experiences in classrooms and at club meetings. Hiring Labs provide companies with an opportunity to discuss internships and job openings with students.
  • Major Days: Each major holds a Major Day in the fall. These one-day events connect professionals with students to discuss career paths, career readiness topics, and possible mini career fairs.
  • Speaker Series: Alumni and finance professionals come to speak regularly at the Black School of Business. Hosted by the finance, MIS, and econ majors, topics include timely issues.
  • Spring Student Trip: The spring student trip is an excellent opportunity for students to visit with potential employers in big cities all over the country. Students will meet with corporate recruiters and sometimes with high-level executives at companies chosen because they appeal to a wide range of Behrend majors. A special dinner with alumni in the area is also a tradition of this trip, and, of course, students get to explore the city during free time.

Youth Outreach

The Black School of Business provides a wealth of resources for regional middle and high school students to learn more about the world of business and its majors.

  • Black School of Business faculty can come to your middle school or high school—virtually! We can customize classroom topics and experiences based on your subject areas and teaching needs. We're prepared to talk to students about business topics that align with the coursework you're presenting and with state curriculum standards. For more information, visit the Black School of Business Outreach Program website or contact Linda Hajec, associate director of student recruitment, retention, and outreach.

  • Behrend Business Day: Behrend Business Day introduces regional high school students to business basics by having them participate in a stock market simulation, mock business courses, and other activities.
  • Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Regional Leadership Conference: This initiative features interactive competitive events that test students on their business acumen while promoting camaraderie. The top three winners in each category have an opportunity to attend the State Leadership Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in order to qualify for competition at the national level.
  • Junior Achievement Titan: This initiative, coordinated through Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania, helps high school students understand the complexities of real-world decision-making by managing a virtual business. This program showcases key business strategies through practical scenarios seen in actual day-to-day operations.
  • M&M Debate: Also known as the M&M Lake Erie Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament, the M&M Debate is sponsored by the Black School of Business and coordinated by McDowell High School and Mercyhurst Preparatory School. This event is formatted to include several rounds of competition centered on enhancing communication skills through proficient speech and debate tactics.