Carlson School of Management

The business program at the U of M does a great job of preparing students for the business world both inside and outside of class. The school makes efforts through the UBCC (undergraduate business career center) to offer career coaching and advising, resume review, mock interviews, etc. Additionally, the school is in a great location just ten minutes from downtown Minneapolis. The Twin Cities area has the most fortune 500 companies per capita and typically pays above average salaries for business degrees.

The only downside to the business program is also one of its greatest strengths: the hyper-competitive aspect of the I-Core program. Although the semester gives students many life skills and peer contacts throughout the school, the stress students face during the program is almost debilitating for some. Many students complain of getting almost no sleep, constantly worrying about how well others in the class are doing, and feeling sick from stress. If the school adjusted its average grade from a B to a B+, these students may be able to survive the semester in a slightly healthier fashion.

The staff at Carlson (in advising, career services, and collegiate life) are phenomenal. I have received so much help from these staff members ranging from student organization involvement to informal mentoring, and interview preparation to academic planning. The staff members truly care for all of Carlson's students. Along with that, I've been challenged both in and out of the classroom. I've learned a lot through my coursework (taught by dedicated professors who are experts in their fields), but I've also learned vast amounts through student involvement opportunities and leadership experiences. One of the best decisions I've made so far in my life was to attend Carlson. I've recommended it to friends and family because my experience has been wonderful. I'm so happy with the opportunities and doors that are open to me as I graduate.

I would like Carlson to use its alumni network more to help with finding jobs outside of Minnesota. I was able to utilize the alumni network to get an internship with RBC Capital Markets in NYC last summer, but it required a lot of work on my own.

We have over 20 Fortune 500 companies in the twin cities alone and they are always on campus, whether it would be recruiting, information sessions, helping and assisting with Carlson needs, interviewing, etc.

Not all the programs are created equal. Accounting is phenomenal...great courses and amazing professors. Finance could use a little revamping, but is generally solid. I feel the program overall is on the cusp of being a real top player. Recruitment beyond the Midwest is growing, but there is tremendous potential to take it to the next level. That being said, landing a job in Minneapolis, at one of the many great companies here, is a cakewalk.

The people at Carlson are what makes the school unique. With the students, there is an unbelievable sense of camaraderie, built through shared classes, team work, and extra-curricular events and organizations. The advisors and administration of Carlson is quick to help; I know my advisor extremely well, and feel extremely supported by the administration. The career services at Carlson are fantastic, and team up with our alumni to ensure Carlson visibility in the job market. And lastly, the professors teach clearly, are available, and have a genuine interest in your personal growth and success. Business Week is a great example of the uniqueness of Carlson; students, faculty, professionals, and recruiters spend one week getting together, making connections, building friendships, and sharing opportunities. This sense of connection and camaraderie lasts well beyond Business Week. Also, the opportunities at Carlson are endless. As a student, I have participated in classes (within and outside of the business school), student organizations (within and outside of the business school), internships, student employment, research, and a semester abroad (at the best business school in France.) I firmly believe that no other school would offer me the amount or quality of opportunities that I have found at Carlson.

Sometimes, having real world business people teach classes works out extremely well. There have been a few times where the instructor may know their subject, but their ability to teach was not great. I suggest looking not only for people who have real-world industry/discipline experience, but also the ability to teach what they know well.

The competitive nature of the program is why Carlson is unique. Carlson has grade requirements for its classes that the median grade in lower division classes must be a B-, mid-level classes must be a B and Upper level must be a B+. With this academic policy and how all Carlson students are in the upper echelon in academic performance it creates a very competitive environment.

There are a few improvements I would make. One, the focus on group work and group projects is ridiculous. I'm an introvert and group settings are not my forte, so being forced to work in ways I can't isn't fair. I understand the importance of group work, but the extent to which professors seem to be obsessed with it makes me sick. I also cannot understand our grading system. With all classes being curved at a B+ I can speak for many students in saying that we don't have to work as hard because chances are, you'll be in the median and get a B at the worst. I have failed nearly every test in a class before and still gotten a B. What is that teaching students going into the work force? I'll be fine, even if I fail and don't know the material well enough. It’s almost encouraging a lack of commitment to learning by ensuring students will always get a B. Isn't it more important for students to actually learn the material?

Carlson School of Management is amazing at preparing students to write resumes well and to enter the business world. There are very few of my fellow students that I know that are worried about finding a job after college, and it is being a part of CSOM that has facilitated that. In this economy, they say about 50% of college students are not finding jobs after graduation. Coming out of Carlson, I would say less than 10% of the students have to worry.

The classes I have taken that were taught by a TA did not fulfill expectations. It would be beneficial if these classes were audited by professors to ensure strong learning environments.

Our business school program is unique because there is a holistic approach to the classes we take to fulfill majors. We have to take a multitude of classes in areas that we are challenged in because they are outside of our selected major, but it prepares us for the real world where not every area is separate.

I wish CSOM would provide more non-profit and non-corporate job connections and opportunities. I am interested in jobs outside of the major corporations that Carlson partners with, and it would be nice if the program could help me out as much as it does with the other jobs.

Every student at Carlson is required to have an international experience during college. Beyond that however, I feel like the community at Carlson makes it a unique program. Students work together on everything from group projects to student groups. The intense feel of community makes it a great place to learn and develop.