Professional Development

WCBA students are encouraged to develop a strong portfolio of knowledge, skills, and experiences that positions them for success in college and in their careers. A wide array of opportunities are available which enable students to gain career related experience, develop leadership skills, and acquire professional competencies.

Internships

WCBA students gain career-related work experience through internships experiences. These experiences provide students with professional level experiences related to their chosen major. In addition to gaining valuable experience, students can earn academic credit for the internship.  Internships can be part-time or full-time, either fall, spring, or summer, and can be located anywhere in the world. The WCBA Center for Career Management aids both students and employers interested in participating in the Internship Program.  Internships are offered in all WCBA majors.

Student Leadership Opportunities

Student chapters of national professional organizations provide an excellent means for students to develop leadership skills, network with professionals in their chosen career fields, and increase their exposure to the business world.

Professional student organizations in the Williamson College of Business Administration include:

  • Advertising Club
  • American Marketing Association Collegiate Chapter
  • Beta Alpha Psi
  • Beta Gamma Sigma
  • Economics Club
  • Enactus
  • Institute of Management Accountants
  • International Business Organization
  • Management Information Systems Association
  • Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE) - Professional Sales Organization
  • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
  • Student Investment Fund Organization
  • Student Leadership Council
  • Student Nonprofit Leadership Organization

Professional Development Programs

WCBA majors are encouraged to develop a strong portfolio of knowledge, skills, and experiences that position them for success in college and in their careers. A wide array of opportunities is available which enable students to gain career related experience, develop leadership skills, and acquire professional competencies.

Honor Societies

The Williamson College of Business Administration recognizes students' outstanding academic performance through initiation into Beta Gamma Sigma, the national honor society for AACSB International-accredited business schools. Students who qualify for Beta Gamma Sigma are inducted in the spring of each year. To be eligible, students must be in the upper 10 percent of the junior class, the upper 10 percent of the senior class, or the upper 20 percent of the graduating master's class.

Qualified business students are also eligible for membership in Phi Kappa Phi, a national honor society that recognizes superior scholarship in all academic fields, and Beta Alpha Psi, the national professional organization for accounting, finance, and information systems majors who have completed one upper level course, have a 3.0 accounting, finance, or information systems GPA, and have a 3.0 overall GPA.

Lambda Pi Eta is a communication honorary that recognizes outstanding students and provides opportunities for greater involvement and leadership within the field of Communication.

WCBA Business Leaders

The Williamson College of Business Administration Business Leaders Program is designed for students who excel academically and demonstrate a high level of commitment to their professional and leadership development. This program provides a select group of incoming freshmen with a variety of opportunities to increase their knowledge of business, accelerate their involvement with the business community, and enhance their professional preparation. To be eligible for the Business Leaders Program, students must have: 

  • Declared business major leading to a BSBA degree
  • 3.5 high school grade point average
  • ACT Score of at least 25 or SAT score of at least 1150

Global Learning Experiences

Students who participate in a global learning experience cultivate a international mindset that allows them to identify opportunities across a broad spectrum of different countries and economies. A global mindset cannot be taught--it comes with experience. YSU and the WCBA offers several programs to prepare students for entry into the world-wide business environment including:

  • Short-term global learning experiences lasting approximately 10 days typically offered during a class break period (winter, spring, or summer break). These are faculty-led tours that include business and cultural visits to places including Italy and Ireland. Students receive three credit hours of upper-level business coursework that is applied to their degree requirements.
  • Study Abroad Programs offered through the YSU Center for International Studies and Programs offer a variety of semester-long international study experiences. These programs allow students to live in and take classes at an international university. WCBA students have spent a semester abroad studying in Italy, Australia, China, and Spain.