More than 150 Georgia Gwinnett College business students connected with educational resources, engagement opportunities and internship prospects at the college’s School of Business (SBA) Expo on Aug. 21. SBA offers the expo twice a year, according to Ben Hines, SBA’s program engagement associate.
“There was a good turnout, and you could tell there was a sense of comradery with the students and the faculty and, of course, the alumni, helping out as well,” he said. “That atmosphere provided participants with a sense of community."
Hines said students learned about SBA’s varied registered student organizations, SBA-hosted study abroad trips and learned about potential internships and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Dr. Marvin Bontrager, associate professor of management, is SBA’s internship coordinator. He was on hand at the expo promoting internships ranging from marketing to accounting to supply chain management and more. As he spoke to the student participants, he underscored the importance of college internships.
“Internships are like an “audition” for an organization,” he explained. “They’re important because students can take what they’re learning and apply it in a practical setting to gain work experience before they graduate.”
The SBA expo has been offered since 2016 and is described by Hines as the largest event SBA uses to kick off the semester.
“We’re officially off and running,” he said.