Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) hosted a group working session for the colleges participating in the 2018-2019 Goldman Sachs Local College Collaborative on February 22 at Fiterman Hall. BMCC along with Hudson County Community College, New Jersey City University and St. Peter’s University are partners in the program that is being led by the global investment and banking firm.
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. helped create the Local College Collaborative curriculum as part of the firm’s commitment to support local students and colleges and to assist workforce development.
Ten BMCC students were selected to participate in the six-month program where professionals from the global banking and investment firm as well as BMCC provide mentoring, broad-based leadership and career readiness training through a designated real-world business challenge.
The students work together to address a series of business case scenarios and react to a variety of financial, human resources, sustainability, and public relations business challenges impacting a partner company they represent.
A variety of speakers are brought in to discuss building skills such as “public speaking,” “how to network like a professional” and “how to navigate career opportunities” at Goldman Sachs and beyond.
The working session at BMCC was one of several scheduled throughout the Spring 2019 semester. The program culminates on May 3 at Goldman’s headquarters when each student cohort will present final recommendations for their business challenge before an audience of college leaders as well as the firm’s executives.
BMCC Associate Director of Career Services and Employer Relations Thierry Thesatus and Assistant Director of Student Activities and Engagement Mariana Torres-Chapen, who are working directly with the BMCC students throughout the project, oversaw the event at Fiterman Hall. Dean for Student Affairs Michael Hutmaker offered welcoming remarks to the visiting colleges and Goldman Sachs professionals.
The BMCC cohort’s business challenge surrounds a retail center that is looking to develop a more effective marketing plan and stronger brand. As part of the cohort’s strategy, BMCC computer science major Mehmet Sahin, who hopes to someday become a software engineer, has been tasked with developing a more effective mobile application for the shopping center.
“We are also helping them develop a stronger social media and branding campaign,” said Sahin.
BMCC Communications major Sandra Nachfoerg, says the experience has taught her about the value and importance of team work. Previously a film major, Nachfoerg says she was not used to working so closely in a team setting.
“Having nine other peers who are working on the same strategy helped me understand how everyone else’s individual strengths can produce a successful outcome,” said Nachfoerg who is working to develop a marketing campaign for the project.
“We’re developing a far-reaching international media and marketing campaign including ads for Facebook and Instagram,” said Naechfoerg, who now wants to pursue international marketing.
She said the project has helped her understand just how competitive a business has to constantly be in order to be a winner in the real world.
The 2019 BMCC Goldman Sachs Local College Collaborative includes Anthony Caines Jr. (Accounting), Tristen Fabricant (Communications), Maheya Jasin Afnan (Business Administration), Ksenia Johnson (Liberal Arts), Alejandra Martinez (Criminal Justice), Sandra Nachfoerg (Liberal Arts),Romy Robieolos II (Health Information Technology),Mehmet Sahin (Computer Science), Mateja Tokic (Business Administration) and Duwayne Wright (Business Administration).
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Ten BMCC students are participating in the leadership program
- Students will present recommendations in May at Goldman Sachs headquarters
- Three guest colleges attended BMCC event
