WITH A FACULTY ROSTER THAT INCLUDES NUMEROUS WORKING INDUSTRY LEADERS, SETON HALL SIMILARLY STRESSES THE VALUE OF PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING, AND ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN – IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM.
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ (PRWEB) APRIL 25, 2012
A Seton Hall University undergrad-level class in Promotional Writing may not seem to have much in common with WEConnect International, the corporate-led non-profit that empowers women-owned businesses to thrive in global markets. But as a recent course project revealed, they do: Both are true believers in the benefits of hands-on, practical work experience.
Based in Washington, D.C., WEConnect International collaborates with forward-thinking public- and private-sector partners to certify women-owned businesses in both developed and emerging retail markets, from Ontario and Germany to Mexico and Peru. No matter where they are in the world, entrepreneurs registered with WEConnect International can access the resources, guidance and networks needed to overcome obstacles, develop sustainable economic opportunities, and establish relationships with corporations interested in their goods and services.
With a faculty roster that includes numerous working industry leaders, Seton Hall similarly stresses the value of professional networking, and encourages students to take advantage of all opportunities to learn – in and outside of the classroom.
Some of the most rewarding learning opportunities are also the most challenging, as students recently discovered when Adjunct Professor Angela Chitkara tasked her Promotional Writing class with an actual media-outreach assignment for WEConnect International. But it was a challenge for which they were absolutely amped.
“The goal was to get real, global media coverage for the organization and its mission,” says Frank Taylor, a Seton Hall junior majoring in public relations with a minor in political science, on track to graduate in 2013. “We prepared media lists to contact journalists in regions around the world, and developed and wrote specific messaging to pitch based on our research into each market’s local news flow. It was kind of amazing: We achieved genuine results for WEConnect International, and real-life career skills for ourselves.”
The students will present an overview of their global outreach efforts to Elizabeth Vazquez, CEO and co-founder of WEConnect International on Wednesday, April 25th at 5:45 p.m. Eastern on the Seton Hall campus.
“I’m excited that the students were able to contribute first-hand to a real-world scenario,” says Angela Chitkara, adjunct professor in Seton Hall’s Department of Communication and CEO of US-India Corridor. “They gained practical experience with pitching and placement, interacting with the media and clients, campaign management and organization, and much more. All this, and they learned the standard course requirements.”
Regardless of career focus — PR, strategic communications, integrated marketing, journalism – understanding and mastering these skills is essential to long-term success. Students armed with these skills at graduation will be best prepared to meet the expectations of prospective employers when they enter the job market.
About Seton Hall University
One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall University has been a catalyst for leadership — developing students in mind, heart and spirit — since 1856. With more than 60 rigorous academic programs, and schools singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, US News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek, Seton Hall exemplifies academic excellence. A student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1 and an average class size of 20 provide a truly supportive educational environment; students enjoy hands-on guidance from a world-class faculty that includes Fulbright scholars, leading researchers, industry leaders, and former ambassadors. Dozens of Seton Hall students have been chosen for highly selective national and international awards in recent years, including Rhodes, Fulbright, Pickering and Udall scholarships.
Seton Hall offers superior opportunities for career development before and after graduation. More than 75 percent of students participate in an internship, practicum or clinical program to gain professional experience; the university also boasts a career-related job placement rate 10 to 15 percent above the national average and an international alumni network more than 70,000 strong.
The university combines the resources of a large university with the personal attention of a small liberal arts college. Its attractive suburban campus is only 14 miles by train, bus or car to New York City, with the wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities the city offers. For more information, visit http://www.shu.edu.
About WEConnect International
WEConnect International, a corporate-led global 501(c)(3) non-profit, helps build sustainable communities and economic growth by empowering women business owners to succeed in global markets. Based in Washington, D.C., WEConnect International has since 2009 provided certification, resources, mentoring and peer/corporate connections to businesses based outside the United States that are at least 51 percent owned, managed and controlled by one or more women. Featuring an ever-expanding professional network active online and throughout Canada, Europe, Latin America and Asia, WEConnect International is the first organization to certify women-owned businesses in both developed and emerging markets.
WEConnect International corporate members are true pioneers in the field of inclusive sourcing and global supplier development. The WEConnect International corporate member network represents more than US$700 billion in annual purchasing power.
