Immersion Weeks

One-week immersion experiences help Penn State Smeal MBAs build practical experience in a variety of areas.

Immersion 1: Career Immersion

This week helps students focus on core career development skills, from understanding recruiter expectations to personal branding and business etiquette. Here's a sample of workshops included in the week:

• Personal Career Strategy-Developing Your Personal Business Plan
• C-Level Career Development
• Decision-Making for Fit, Focus, and Market Segmentation
• Developing Your Story
• Job Search Ethics
• Negotiation and Personal Branding
• Recruiter Expectations
• Networking and Networking Communications

Immersion 2: Global Immersion

Smeal is one of the few MBA programs to require an international experience as part of its curriculum. We believe that you cannot lead in a global environment without experiencing it first-hand. So each year we require a one-week trip to a developing economy, followed by the opportunity to continue your travels during Spring Break.

The experience provides a glimpse into the practices, challenges, and opportunities of living and working globally. You may choose among the selected sites offered each year, and will visit businesses across disciplines and industries, and experience local cultural events. In 2012, students visited:

• Santiago, Chile
• New Delhi, India
• Shanghai, China
• San Francisco, California (for international students with single-entry visas)

Visit our Student Exchange Global Immersion page for the information presented to our students this year as they prepare for their trips abroad.

Immersion 3: Negotiation, Theory, and Skill

Being adept at negotiation often means the difference between success and failure. Learn how to become a better negotiator by immersing yourself in concepts such as the "Zone of Possible Agreement" and "Best Alternative to a Negotiated Contract." Practice your new skills in live exercises in groups ranging from two to twenty people, where you will receive immediate feedback about what you did well and what you can improve.

Immersion 4: Service Experience

Check out the Service Immersion website for blogs and photos from this year’s fantastic projects spanning the globe from here in State College, PA to Alabama, Los Angeles, New York City, Puerto Rico, Columbia, and Shanghai.

Smeal MBAs are known for their willingness to give back to the community. And as Penn State is home to the largest student-run philanthropy in the country, THON, we have wonderful role models and opportunities throughout the community. THON, or Dance Marathon, supports the Four Diamonds Fund for the fight against pediatric cancer and is an inspiration to students throughout Penn State. Last year, four MBA students were on their feet dancing for 48 straight hours while their class cheered and supported them.

Through efforts such as THON, Habitat for Humanity, mentoring at-risk youth, and the LIVESTRONG Challenge, our students focus on leadership in their communities as well as in business. During our inaugural service immersion week, teams of second-year students will lend their time and expertise to a series of philanthropic efforts to practice their collaborative, organizational, and leadership skills in the spirit of giving back.