Anna Stolley Persky

Mason graduate students get consultant training through new ‘researchship’ program

ckearney — Thu, 27 May 2021 12:29:02 +0000

Mason graduate students get consultant training through new ‘researchship’ program ckearney Thu, 05/27/2021 - 08:29

Students pursuing an MS in management through 911��’s School of Business usually spend four months getting work experience through internships at local companies. This year, however, due to the coronavirus pandemic, administrators had to think creatively. So instead, they asked local businesses what they thought of hiring students to do remote “researchships.”

“With the pandemic, we didn’t think there would be many of your typical internships, so we had to innovate,” said Victoria Grady, associate professor of management and director of the management program. “We reached out to businesses in Arlington and asked them if they wanted students who could research and provide answers to specific questions they had.”

The 11-month, 36-credit program, which begins in August and finishes in July, generally has around 35 students attending each year. The program focuses on the fundamentals of business management in a global environment. The internship is a key part of the program, so administrators were concerned that students would lose out on a valuable opportunity to put classroom theory to practice in a corporate environment.

Kimberly Blue, graduate career manager at the School of Business, reached out to the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and various businesses, and found that, despite the pandemic, some businesses wanted to do more of a traditional internship. Other businesses, however, were intrigued by the idea of students researching particular topics from remote locations. She described the researchship as similar to being a consultant. Both researchships and internships are paid.

Six businesses chose the researchship model, with professional services firm Dixon Hughes Goodman and Arlington Community Federal Credit Union taking two students each.

Lawrence Hailes, who graduated Mason in 2015 with a BA in music, was working as an actor in local productions when the pandemic hit. He decided to pivot into the corporate world so that he had some job stability. Hailes’ researchship is with Dixon Hughes Goodman.

“I have been looking at questions around restructuring post-pandemic,” said Hailes. “I’m looking into trends—what are other companies doing? Are they going virtual or hybrid, and how are they keeping their employees connected?”

Each week, Hailes receives questions about “what they want me to dig into” and then on Fridays he makes presentations and recommendations related to his research.

“I think I give the firm a fresh perspective,” said Hailes. “And the researchship allows me to delve into a topic, learn about the corporate world and then communicate my findings in a succinct way for a broad audience.”

Hailes adds, “Being an actor has paid off because I’m not shy about presenting to people.”

Clare Sullivan, who graduated with a degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University, said that her researchship at Arlington Economic Development has allowed her to study in depth urban agriculture.

“I’ve learned about the impact that urban agriculture can have, how it brings jobs and education and access to food,” said Sullivan. “And I’ve gotten to work with great people who love their jobs.”

Blue said that both the businesses and the students appear to be gaining from the researchship model. She expects the program to offer both researchships and internships post-pandemic.

“By thoroughly examining important topics, students are making a real difference for their employers,” said Blue.

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Costello College of Business

researchships

Costello College of Business Graduate Programs

Costello College of Business News

Management MS Program

Mason student provides fishing advice, help during internship with Fairfax parks

ckearney — Wed, 06 Jan 2021 14:57:08 +0000

Mason student provides fishing advice, help during internship with Fairfax parks ckearney Wed, 01/06/2021 - 09:57

Mason student Chase Brown created a fishing web page for the Fairfax County Park Authority as part of his internship. Photo provided

Chase Brown, a 22-year-old 911�� senior, has some simple advice for getting through the coronavirus pandemic: Go fishing!

“Fishing is one of the best things you can do right now,” said Brown, a recreation management: parks and outdoor recreation major. “It’s already a socially distanced hobby because you can do it by yourself or with your friends, six feet apart. It’s very rewarding, and it gets you outside.”

Brown has been helping Fairfax residents with their fishing questions and needs this past semester through an internship and employment with the Fairfax County Park Authority. During the fall, Brown helped create a web page dedicated to fishing information. He wrote articles filled with tips and observations about what to catch and how at various parks locations. He also led socially distanced fishing programs and kayak tours.

“Chase took the lead on designing the web page and then finding ways to keep it current,” said Dan Grulke, Lake Accotink park manager and fishing coordinator for Fairfax County Park Authority’s lake-front parks. “He has an excellent work ethic, and he loves the outdoors, nature and fishing. He’s also a great communicator.”

Brown says that fishing in Fairfax County gets a little more difficult during the winter, but will pick up as the temperature warms up a bit.

“There’s great bass fishing in early spring,” said Brown.

He also has his favorite spots in Fairfax County, such as Huntsman Lake. He says that Burke Lake is a very popular fishing site, offering catfish, bass and even the occasional walleye.

Growing up in Alexandria, Virginia, Brown learned to fish with his father. Brown advocates for young people to get into fishing as early as possible, like he did, “because if you like it, it will follow you into adulthood.”

“It’s just a very rewarding hobby,” Brown said. “You are the master of your destiny. You pick out your lure, you pick out your spot. It feels great when you succeed.”

Brown says he hopes to work in parks management after he graduates. His professors say they expect that he will succeed in his endeavors.

“Chase is clearly passionate about the world of parks and recreation,” said Ivan A. Levin, an adjunct professor in the College of Education and Human Development. “His unique voice and perspective will allow him to thrive and grow as a professional after his time at Mason.”

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College of Education and Human Development

Internships

Mason ranked top Virginia school for social mobility

ckearney — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 18:52:18 +0000

Mason ranked top Virginia school for social mobility ckearney Wed, 01/22/2020 - 13:52

911�� ranks the highest among all Virginia colleges for the second year in a row for the social mobility of its students, according to a recently released 2019 survey by CollegeNet.

Nationally, Mason improved its ranking to 107 out of 1,458 four-year institutions examined according to CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index. Last year Mason was ranked 131 in the nation.

Social mobility is a measure of the ability for students to move from one economic class to another. According to CollegeNet, Mason’s student body includes 16.7% students from low-income families. Students graduate with an average debt load of $29,516, but go on to make an average annual salary of almost $60,000 within five years of graduation.

“The ranking is an acknowledgement of a long history of student success at Mason,” said David Burge, vice president for enrollment management. “Mason has always prided itself on finding talent wherever it lies and helping our students find great careers and great lives after they leave Mason.”

This is the sixth year CollegeNet has issued its rankings. According to its website, it uses five variables in its methodology: published tuition, percent of student body with families with incomes below $48K, graduation rate, median salary about five years after graduation, and endowment.

The ranking highlights Mason’s commitment to access to excellence. About 39% of Mason students are the first in their families to go to college, and 33% are Pell Grant eligible.