Student organizations at the Mason School of Business connecting students
The student organizations at the Raymond A. Mason School of Business connect students from a diverse array of majors to the resources of the Business School, helping them explore careers, gain valuable academic insight, and connect with like-minded peers. These clubs have been keeping busy this year.
Finance Academy
In early October, the Finance Academy hosted its ninth annual “From DoG Street to Wall Street” event. Over 40 alumni and friends of the University attended, some of which were specially featured. Molly Ashby '81, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Solera Capital, delivered the keynote address; a number of other alumni hosted a variety of finance panels throughout the day. In addition to this prominent event, Finance Academy hosted a number of prominent speakers from a variety of finance-related careers.
Net Impact
Net Impact continued its goal of searching for sustainable solutions for the business world.
“This past year, Net Impact continued William & Mary's involvement with The Hult Prize, which is world's largest social entrepreneurship competition,” said senior president Sruvee Sathi. “In addition to the Hult Prize, one of Net Impact's biggest initiatives this year is competing in a nation-wide competition called “Up to Us,” which seeks to get millennials engaged in the conversation about the long-term national debt.”
Wayne F. Gibbs Accounting Society
Gibbs Accounting Society hosted a variety of accounting events this past fall. The biggest event of the semester was the multi-day Accounting Edge event, which provided students with useful information about a diverse array of accounting careers. The club also hosted smaller events with individual firms.
Smart Woman Securities
“[Smart Woman Securities] focused on developing [its] Ten-Week seminar series, which is an integral part of Smart Woman Securities’ national plan to educate undergraduate women in finance and investing,” said junior Brittany Peck, the incoming CEO of the organization.
Professionals and Mason School professors with valuable investment experience guided members through nine weeks of lectures, which ranged from basic financial concepts to advanced market analysis. Members teamed up to complete a final project, presenting stock pitches and investment recommendations to showcase their learning and understanding of the concepts.
Alpha Kappa Psi
Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity of William & Mary, continued to help its members build networking connections. 23 new members joined in the fall. This organization brought in two speakers from consulting firms, held professional development workshops, and hosted a number of social activities.
Women in Business
Mason’s Women in Business organization hosted a number of events last semester, all aimed at promoting female leadership in the sphere of business.
“We started off with an incredible speaker, Diane Sakach, who talked to us [about] the importance of being confident [in the] workplace,” said junior Jaimie Miller, the club’s Vice President of Communications. “Additionally, we hosted a Round Table Discussion [focused on] gender stereotypes [and] a mindful meditation event with Becca Marcus.”
Student Marketing Association
For Student Marketing Association, the biggest event of the semester was its inaugural “Tribe Tank,” an event for William & Mary students based off the television show “Shark Tank.” Undergraduate and graduate students pitched their ideas, competing for prizes and MakerSpace project grants. Over 90 students attended, some to pitch and others to watch. In addition to this event, Student Marketing Association also hosted workshops and receptions to provide real-world marketing advice to its members.
Sports Business Club
Sports Business Club continued to focus on educating members about career paths in the sports world. John Castleberry, who has produced and broadcasted for such organizations as ESPN and Minor League Baseball, came to speak with the group about his experiences in the world of sports business. The club also participated in a few other exciting events.
“In October, we were able to receive press passes for the Washington Capitals preseason game against the New York Islanders to watch the game from press row,” said president Aidan Donovan, a senior. “After the game, we were invited to sit in on head coach Barry Trotz's press conference to help our members explore a possible career in sports media.”
Financial Modeling Club
Financial Modeling Club hosted three speakers this past semester, all from a diverse array of industries. Daniel Martins, founder of sellsideresearcher.com and former Equity Research Analyst with FBR Capital Markets, spoke about careers in equity research. Leo Murphy of Trading Technologies simulated a trading session for the group. Mason’s Professor David Murray involved the club in machine learning simulations.
Mason Investment Club
Mason Investment Club continued to provide education and experience in the field of equities investing. Members—working as individuals and in groups—pitched stocks to buy for Mason’s portfolio. Members also worked to give portfolio updates, market updates, and portfolio analysis.
"Each semester, officers continually seek ways to make the club increasingly engaging for all experience levels,” said senior Kevin Andrews, the president of the organization. “More specifically, a primary focus this semester was to structure meetings to be more interactive and conversational.”
William & Mary Consulting Club
William & Mary Consulting Club was not particularly active this past semester, primarily due to a large membership of seniors who were involved with job searches. The club is currently planning several speaker sessions for the spring semester, and is also focusing its efforts on recruiting new members.
Design Thinking Club
Design Thinking Club continued to foster creative expression during the past semester, hosting events and workshops to achieve this goal.
If you are interested in getting involved with any of the aforementioned organizations, please see the Raymond A. Mason School of Business’s student organization directory for executive contact information.
