Practical Experience
The SOM offers numerous opportunities for students to gain practical experience, from hands-on courses that include case study discussions and role-playing exercises, to faculty/student research collaboration and externship opportunities.
In the classroom, the SOM uses the Harvard Business school case method, which places students in real world situations and asks them to analyze outcomes and make decisions based on their personal analysis of what would go on in a real business setting. Learning takes place through group discussions, team projects, and collaborative research and presentations.
SOM professors make extensive use of guest speakers, which allows for students to learn directly from experienced managers and business leaders. Opportunities also are available for publishing and research with faculty, client-focused market analysis, and externships with entrepreneurial companies. For example, the SOM partners with John Hancock and the Commonwealth Institute to offer externships that match MBA students with women entrepreneurs of color.
“As an intern with Toyota, I am integrating and practicing the material we covered in classes with the unique Toyota principles — working those two bodies of knowledge back and forth to build some solid new expertise into my own portfolio.”
Lora Nielsen ’04