October 18, 2002
Earning an MBA the hands-on way; UT program exposes
students to the real world of business
By Lori Hawkins, AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
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In an effort to connect with the real world, the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas has suspended classes in its MBA program for two weeks and is sending students into the trenches. The McCombs Plus Program, which debuted this semester, focuses on developing skills not typically taught in business administration classes for master's candidates -- such as leadership, communication and the ability to work in teams. In addition to coaching sessions, students team up with corporations, local businesses and nonprofit organizations to help them solve problems.
"The idea is to make a bridge between book learning and real practice," said Steven Tomlinson, a UT economics lecturer who created the program. "It's a real challenge to the students because it asks them to step outside the traditional academic game. You don't get grades; you don't have a teacher whose authority you're expected to passively accept. The assignments are not defined with a kind of clarity we expect from a graded curriculum. It's the opposite of all that."
Other MBA programs offer professional development programs, but UT is the only school that stops classes for two weeks to focus completely on "soft skills." The program is mandatory and will take place during spring and fall semesters. Students pay $1,100 a semester to cover costs.
According to a Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive survey published last month, soft skills such as interpersonal communication are what corporate recruiters desire most, but find most lacking in MBA graduates. While the major business schools turn out students with analytical ability and command of basics such as finance, marketing and strategy, recruiters said skills such as communication, leadership and a team mentality receive short shrift.
In addition to fostering soft skills, the program is designed to tap students into business sectors that interest them. In the fall semester, they break into teams focused on topics including small business, film and television, international business and community development.
The teams work with a company or nonprofit to develop a business pitch in the fall, and during the spring program, they regroup and execute the plan. Each semester includes a competition in which students make their pitches to outside judges.
The program brought six MBA students to Gene's New Orleans Style Poboys & Deli at 1209 E. 11th St. on Wednesday. The students are working with owners Gene Tumbs and Claudia Conner-Tumbs to expand the restaurant's marketing and finance an expansion.
"When UT offered us great minds with fresh ideas, we jumped at the chance," Conner-Tumbs said. "We're in the middle of an expansion, and here's an opportunity to get rich information and new perspectives."
Students said they're learning as much from Tumbs and Conner- Tumbs as they're giving back.
"They've taken risks and worked hard to build a business, and they have a lot to teach us," student Anne Madec said. "We're here to do market research and come up with ways to generate new business and finance expansion plans. But we're also learning about what it takes to operate a real business."
For information on specific programs at the McCombs School, consult our contacts page. For media information, contact the Communications Director by phone at 512-471-3314 or by email at CommunicationsDirector@mccombs.utexas.edu.
