Academic Programs
When it comes to his success in business, Nate Ondricek is the first to credit Southern Virginia University’s business program.
“The bread and butter of my time at Southern Virginia was the academic program,” said Ondricek, who graduated from SVU in 2012. “I really enjoyed the small classroom setting, and I really got to know every one of my professors well during and after classes.”
With his dual bachelor’s degrees from SVU in political science and business management and leadership, Ondricek began working at Portfolio Advisors LLC as an investment analyst, eventually becoming senior vice president of investor relations. To take his career to the next level, he went on to earn a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from New York University and is now the director of investor relations at Apogem Capital.
“I feel like my master’s program at New York University showed me just how well Southern Virginia prepares its students for their graduate programs and careers,” Ondricek added. “My MBA program was pretty comparable to Southern Virginia in terms of complexity and rigor. And to me, that shows just how well the professors and staff here provide a top-notch, well-structured, and well-organized academic program.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 26% of people employed in the field of business hold an advanced degree. So earning a bachelor’s in a program like SVU’s and then going on to pursue an MBA — like Ondricek — will give you the edge you need to stand out from the crowd when it comes to winning jobs and promotions.
Read on to learn five reasons why pursuing SVU’s major in business management and leadership with a pre-MBS focus can set you up for success in your graduate degree.
Faculty Members Have Real-World Experience
Thanks to an average class size of 15 students, the professors at SVU have a chance to work with students one-on-one. As a teaching-first university, your professors’ focus is your individual success. And in the business program, you’ll have a chance to learn from faculty with impressive real-world experience.
For example, Business and Education Division Chair, Todd Brotherson, spent time in his career as a research associate at Chase Manhattan Bank. Jared Covington, instructor of marketing, worked as manager of online marketing and new media at Sony BMG Music Entertainment. And Jack Heilpern, assistant professor of business, spent years as consulting director of The Greenbrier Resort.
As you take classes like “Introduction to Business Careers” and “Strategic Marketing Management,” you’ll benefit from the stories these professors can share about their own lessons learned and experiences. And because of the individual guidance and support they’re able to provide, they’ll be able to better advise you on your graduate-school journey.
Complement Your Major With an Accounting Concentration and/or Political Science Minor
In SVU’s program, you’ll also have the opportunity to select a minor and/or concentration to complement your bachelor’s in business. What this means is if you want to gain knowledge and experience in a field beyond business, you might pursue SVU’s minor in political science, Spanish, or math.
Or, if you’re interested in zeroing in on a particular area of business with specialized courses and career-related internships, one of the university’s concentrations might be a good fit. You can choose from concentrations in Pre-M.Acc. (Accounting) and Pre-M.Fin. (Finance). And FYI, these two concentrations are specifically designed for students seeking a graduate degree in business.
Take Advantage of the Hands-on Learning Opportunities
At SVU, there are also a variety of ways to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world experiences. For example, students in the business program often have a chance to intern and work on projects with organizations, including the Buena Vista Farmers’ Market, local radio stations, and The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
Also, there are chances to collaborate with professors on personal and professional projects where you’ll receive one-on-one training, guidance, and advice. Plus, there are student organizations like the Business Club, the Cryptocurrency Investment Club (CIA), and the business honors society Chi Epsilon Omega (CEO), which all offer additional opportunities to take what you learn in class to the next level.
Nearby Cities Offer a Variety of Business Internships and Career Options
Did we mention that when it comes to finding internships and future jobs, it helps that SVU is located less than a day’s drive from big cities like New York and Washington, D.C.?
Location is key if you’re looking to intern for a business based in one of these cities, or in Meg Huber’s case, if you’re interested in a political internship. One of the reasons she selected SVU was because of its location.
Huber always wanted to intern on Capitol Hill, and SVU is a three-hour drive from D.C. This proximity to the political capital of the country fueled her desire to apply for and accept the selective congressional internship.
Latter-day Saint Missionaries Are Welcome
At SVU, more than 9-out-of-10 students are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often called Latter-day Saints or Mormons), and 1-out-of-3 are returned missionaries. So if serving a mission is in your future, know that the program is designed to support you throughout your journey.
For example, Sarah Edwards took a break from her education to serve a full-time mission in Cuernavaca, Mexico, from October 2013 to May 2015. Edwards said that her mission was “one of the most wonderful experiences of [her] life.” As a returned missionary, Edwards graduated from SVU in 2016, and went on to work at Charles Schwab as a financial consultant trainee.
The university even offers Returned Missionary Scholarships to students who have served full-time missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or who have completed comparable humanitarian service. These scholarships are for $1,500 annually (a total of $6,000 over four years).
Take the First Step Toward Your Business Career: Apply to SVU
Ready to start your pre-MBA journey at SVU? Here are a few steps to get you started:
- Enroll. Begin by taking “Principles of Accounting (BUS 201)” in your first year.
- Contact Your Advisor. Get in touch with Professor W. Todd Brotherson to discuss your interests and goals.
- Declare. Turn in a completed Declare Major Form to the Registrar’s Office.
Have specific questions about the major? Send us an email, and we’ll get a conversation started.
Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? Learning the language of financial aid and wondering if you should take on student loan debt can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created a one-stop financial aid 101 guide to answer your questions. Download it here.
