The LAUNCH List is a list of curated events to assist students interested in business with finding opportunities for wellness, professional development, academic development, and experiential learning at all of UConn campuses. Read on to see how you can engage today!

Peer Mentors build up their peers and speak to the diversity of experiences in our student body. We're seeking applicants who can connect to and elevate the experiences of diverse business students, particularly Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ identified students.

Peer Mentors serve in a unique position to connect students to communities that will empower their success. The ideal candidate is ready to help their peers navigate the joys and challenges of the academic journey.

Qualifications:

• Must be a current undergraduate business student
• Must be in good academic standing according the School of Business Scholastic Standing Requirements
• Must be entering third year or later (or equivalent) in Fall 2025. For regional campus applicants students entering their third year or above are preferred but students entering their second year can apply.
• For International Peer Mentors fluency in a foreign language is a plus!

Hours: 8 hours per week

Hourly Rate: $16.44 per hour

Please note that Storrs applicants must be available Wednesdays 3:30 PM- 5 PM. We are recruiting Peer Mentors for the following campuses: Hartford, Stamford, Storrs and Waterbury.

If you are interested, please apply using the link below. Applications will close on Friday, November 22nd.

Pet Therapy

Stop by to meet our pet therapy dogs & de-stress! Pet therapy benefits include reducing stress, anxiety, & building empathy based on research. Stop by to meet the dogs & to de-stress!

Tuesday, November 12th

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Student Center

Moulin Rouge on Broadway

The NYC Trip to see Moulin Rouge on Broadway is coming soon, on Nov. 24th. Tickets can be purchased at the link below.

Sunday, November 24th

Bus leaves at 8:20 AM

Hey Hartford students, how are you getting involved on campus or enhancing your experiential learning this week? Click the button below to tell us and enter to win some School of Business swag items! 

Students will attend a weekly 3-credit course to engage with local entrepreneurs, established business owners, and industry experts, delivering compelling business stories that capture and highlight the best of what Hartford has to offer. Students will explore Hartford's rich history and its evolving business ecosystems, particularly within hotels, restaurants, and food service businesses — gaining valuable insights into what drives success and how to share those stories effectively.

By collaborating with peers and local businesses, students will develop skills in storytelling and digital media. Students will learn how to craft authentic and engaging narratives that not only showcase the unique flavors and experiences of Hartford’s hospitality industry, but also highlight the resilience and innovation of its business community.

This course is open to all students, undergraduates and graduates on any campus.

*Please note that although the course is listed as "non-business of junior or higher standing," the course is open to ALL students. If you do not fall under the specification, contact michaela.hartl@uconn.edu for a permission number.*

Business Careers in Manufacturing with Paul Lavoie

Hear from Paul Lavoie, Chief Manufacturing Officer for State of CT about what the current trends in manufacturing, are and why is it important for Business students to pay attention to this sector. Learn about job opportunities as well.



Part-one takes place on November 4th, virtually from 5:00 PM-6:00 PM. During this time students will get insights into the world of manufacturing and explore possible careers in the field.

Part-two is a trip down to MakerspaceCT in Downtown Hartford for an opportunity to see manufacturing in action. This event will occur on November 6th from 12:00 PM-1:00 PM.



Monday, November 4th

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Virtual

Want to strengthen your skills in Excel? Come to the GBLC on November 5th from 11am-1pm and participate in an excel workshop. At the end of workshop, participants will be able to navigate the Excel interface, create and format basic spreadsheets, use essential functions and formulas for data manipulation, and generate simple charts to present their data effectively.

Tuesday, November 5th

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

GBLC 1st Floor- SS&C Accelerator

Join us for a lunch and learn with Mona Kosseim the Founder and Principal Consultant of Stand Out Advisory.

Wednesday, November 13th

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Schreiber Reading Room

Consider attending this workshop with Associate Dean Nora Madjar to learn how to advocate and negotiate better. Lunch is provided!

Wednesday, November 19th

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Schreiber Reading Room

This course is designed for students with a foundational understanding of finance and investment principles. Students will be required to have completed FNCE 3101 as a prerequisite.

It focuses on the construction and management of institutional investment portfolios. Students will explore financial market theory and approaches to strategic and tactical asset allocation, risk budgeting, manager due diligence, selection and evaluation, ESG and impact investing, risk management, and the role of hedge funds and alternative investments. This course emphasizes real-world applications, using case studies and hands-on projects to ensure that students develop the skills needed to manage and oversee portfolios and make informed investment portfolio decisions. 

As a capstone, students will create a customized and diversified portfolio for a hypothetical institutional client, including goals and objectives, allocation of assets, rebalancing, manager selection, and the development of an investment policy statement that will be presented to the class.

This course will enable students to have the technical and strategic knowledge to prepare for roles in the asset management industry. This course is offered Wednesdays 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM in-person.

OPIM 4895-001: Generative AI for Business

Explores the core mechanisms of generative AI (GenAI) with a focus on Large Language Models (LLMs) and their applications in business. Key topics include advanced techniques in prompt engineering, retrieval augmented generation (RAG), fine-tuning LLMs, and addressing safety and ethical considerations in the use of GenAI. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on learning, students will develop skills to apply GenAI in real-world business scenarios.

The course provides a strong foundation for understanding LLM architecture, training methodologies, and business applications, as well as practical skills in Python for fine-tuning LLMs. This course is ideal for those aiming to leverage GenAI for innovative business solutions in an evolving marketplace. This course is offered Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:30 PM-4:45 PM.

Join the Peer Mentors to get some snacks and go over any schedule questions you may have!

Monday, November 4th

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

BUSN Lounge

This is an extensive program on how to get into the investment banking industry run by UConn alumni already in the business. There will be multiple tracks for sophomore year recruitment including full-time job tips and interviewing strategies. This will not be recorded. All majors and years encouraged to attend and lunch is provided.

Schedule

10:00 AM - Introductions and Initial Q&A

10:15 AM - Overview of Careers in Finance

Senior Spotlight – Internship Experience

11:15 AM - Resume Basics and Preparation & Informational Interviews 

12:00 PM - Working Lunch and Break-out Sessions 

• Is Banking right for me?
• Strategies for underclassmen?
• How to recruit as a Senior?

1:15 PM - Interview Preparation and Recruiting Strategies

2:00 PM - Market update- Recent Fed cut and impact for Wall & Main St

2:30 PM - Student Panel

3:00 PM -Wrap-up and Final Q&A

Friday, November 8th

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

BUSN Boardroom

By the end of this 2-hour workshop, participants will be able to navigate the Excel interface, create and format basic spreadsheets, use essential functions and formulas for data manipulation, and generate simple charts to present their data effectively.

Resume Bullet: Completed a 2-hour workshop on Microsoft Excel, gaining foundational skills in spreadsheet creation, formatting, and basic data analysis using functions and charts.

Tuesday, November 12th

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Dean's conference room on the 3rd floor of BUSN

The Intercultural Symposium initiates sustainable engagement between five interconnected stakeholders: over 100 German companies located in Connecticut, the German Innovation and Research Institute in New York City, three of UConn's schools (CLAS, ENGR, and BUS), including the dual degree programs EUROBIZ and EUROTECH, and AdvanceCT, Connecticut's agency for business growth. The Intercultural Symposium will be in the Alumni Center at UConn Storrs.

The second half of the "Germany on Campus" Day, the Company Expo, connects UConn students seeking internship and career opportunities in Connecticut, New England and in Europe with German companies interested in meeting students who are trained based on intercultural and international perspectives.

The Company Expo will host about 15 Company tables at the Alumni Center for networking and company engagement. 

Thursday, November 14th

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Alumni Center Storrs

Investment Career Discovery Day

Here is your chance to speak with a variety of investment professionals in an informal setting. We are planning to have a great group of senior and junior level professionals from such investment firms as New England Asset Management, Bradley Foster, CIGNA, Loomis Sayles, Rockefeller Asset Management, Ruane Cuniff, and Conning and Company. 

Bring your questions and learn what they do and what it takes to succeed on Wall Street. There will be presenters from both the equity and fixed income arena!

Friday, November 15th

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

BUSN Student Lounge

The School of Business has prepaid for and licensed out 25 seats to Wall Street Prep's passport program to assist in your preparation for applying, interviewing, and succeeding in the investment banking industry.

This program will give eager students fundamental knowledge in Excel, Accounting, Financial Statement Modeling, Discounted Cash Flow analysis, and Merger Analysis. The students who are accepted into this program will learn the same material that is offered at other top flagship investment banking schools as well as training for first-year analysts. This knowledge and skillset will set you apart in the rigorous interview process. The timeline for banking recruitment is competitive and EARLY.  The applications to banks for the junior year summer begin a year before (June-November) of the sophomore year. 

Target audience students pursuing careers in:

• Asset Management • Business development • Consulting • Corporate finance • Credit research • Equity research • Capital markets  • Investment banking • Private equity • Project finance • Venture capital 

The program material will be asynchronous with quizzes and deadlines each week and will take approximately 18 overall hours to complete.

You will have support:  Students can attend the UConn Investment Banking Society meetings to go over material learned and converse about how it relates to current events within the markets. 

This program is available for all Sophomores and Juniors (by year and by credit) in the School of Business

House of Passions (Hair/Nail Salon) and New Millennium (Barber Studio) will be on campus on Wednesday, November 6 from 12:00PM-3:00PM providing haircuts and styling, gel manicures, facials and more. Schedule your free appointment today and pamper yourself while getting to know local business owners!

Wednesday, November 6th

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

MPR 119

At the First-Generation Alumni panel, expect to hear first-generation alumni share their experiences and insights on navigating career challenges, personal growth, and professional development. They’ll offer advice on overcoming obstacles and building a supportive community throughout their journeys.

A first-generation alumni student discussion will provide invaluable insights into career, professional, and personal development. By featuring alumni who have navigated similar paths, the panel honors community development through shared experiences, fostering mentorship, and inspiring current students to achieve their aspirations.

Thursday, November 7th

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

MPR

Registration open November 11

Registration closes January 19

Semi-finals take place February 24-28 virtually

Final is in-person in early April in Toronto, CA (travel fund is available)

Prizes:

• $10,000 CAD (first place)
• $5,000 CAD (runner up)

Explore the Forte Foundation

The Forte Foundation is a community of over 100,000+ motivated individuals made up of college students, MBA students, and business professionals. Through the UConn School of Business' partnership with Forte, all undergraduate School of Business students have access to Forte's many benefits including:

• Leadership Conferences and Career Fairs
• The Forte Job Center: Upload your resume, customize your job search and access job postings from 100+ Fortune 500 companies!
• Earn a Career Ready Certificate: Make a great impression on top employers through live workshops and have your resume included in an exclusive resume book provided only to Forte's top corporate partners
• Skill and Industry guides: Soft skills are universal and essential in any industry. Gain insights into soft skills such as time management, how to actively listen to others, or how to build your resume.

Find these resources and more when you create your free affiliate Forte membership using your UConn email address.

“I would say that the program is unlike any other. Forte works to support women in business and as soon as you join, it connects you with a community of people willing to help in any way. The resources Forte presents you with are unimaginable. The course does not just get you the certification, it helps you to navigate your journey through the business world. Taking the course was the best decision I made. It’s worth the time put into it!”

-Madeline C.

Activate Your Complimentary Wall Street Journal Subscription

UConn School of Business and The Wall Street Journal have partnered to provide a school-sponsored WSJ subscription to all University of Connecticut students, faculty and staff. Through the partnership, subscribers will have full digital access to WSJ’s award-winning journalism via WSJ.com and the app, as well as a wide variety of curated content, from podcasts and newsletters to career insights and personal finance advice.

Why The Wall Street Journal is right for University of Connecticut students:

The Wall Street Journal offers students unrivaled coverage of business, finance, politics and world news, including focused insight into career development, technology, health, arts and culture.

About The Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal is a global news organization that provides leading news, information, commentary and analysis. Published by Dow Jones, The Wall Street Journal engages readers across print, digital, mobile, social and video. It holds 38 Pulitzer Prizes for outstanding journalism.

Activate Your Complimentary New York Times Subscription

About The New York Times

The New York Times is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. The New York Times covers domestic, national, and international, news and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews.

Steps to Activate

• Navigate to https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/edu-access
• Click "Create Account" and complete all required fields; you must use your UConn email
• Verify your account via the confirmation email

Activate Your Financial Times Subscription

Sign up for free and see reporting from 700+ journalists on FT.com and apps. There are newsletters covering corporate finance to sustainability and in-depth special reports on industries and countries.

Steps to Activate

• Navigate to ft.business.uconn.edu
• You must log in with your NetID and password to activate

Need help putting together a pitch deck for a class or editing a report? Don't understand your assignment guidelines, or aren't sure how to get started on a project? Schedule a 20-minute virtual meeting with the Business Communication Lab.

The material you would like to review with us must be assigned by a current course in the School of Business. Upon registering for your appointment, you will be requested to provide the assignment guideline sheet and other necessary documents for the Lab staff to fully understand the scope of the task or project.

Find Your UConn

@UConnBusinessUG

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LAUNCH Podcast!

Jose Aponte is excited to help elevate the voices of students and on topics that will help you thrive. Hear from experts, your peers, and advisors across UConn's campuses.