The Department of Business Studies and
Economics offers numerous service learning opportunities that allow students to
practice their business skills with a "real" client, add experience to their
resumes and make meaningful, valuable contributions to the community.
Reflections written by students who
have completed service learning programs through the department reveal that
what they learn goes beyond business theory, skills and knowledge - they also
learn mercy, kindness, patience and compassion.
Students may opt into a service
learning program through one of the participating courses. Upon successful
completion of the program, students earn an additional one credit for the
course, turning a three-credit course into a four-credit course.
Courses that provide service learning
opportunities include:
Business Communications and Human
Resources Management
Working in conjunction with Child &
Family, a local social service agency, Salve Regina students are paired with
at-risk students who need assistance preparing for life after high school.
These students visit campus to experience the atmosphere of higher education
and work with Salve Regina students to develop resumes, practice interviewing
skills and explore job opportunities. The experience allows both groups of
students to interact and learn from each other, and reflections from Salve
Regina students substantiate the positive value and awareness this service
learning program provides.
International Issues in Consumer
Behavior
Students collaborate on research
projects that create interactive demonstrations teaching the concepts of
various international cultures to middle school students. In past years, Salve
Regina students have researched the emerging economies of China and India and
prepared interactive booths to teach middle school students about the history
and culture of these countries. Not only did the middle school students benefit
from this experience, but the Salve Regina students also gained knowledge
through their research and experience through preparing and presenting the
information to a younger target audience.
Business Research Methods
Students work with nonprofit
organizations to provide primary research findings. In past years, students
have helped to develop a hall of fame for the Newport Gulls, a local collegiate
baseball team, and assisted in creating a database of elder services and
physicians for the social service agency Child & Family.
Marketing Strategies
Students work
with nonprofit organizations that have little to no marketing staffs or budgets
to create marketing plans and implement programs. In past years, students have
worked with the Newport Community School, the Norman Bird Sanctuary, the
Women's Resource Center and Skate for Joy. In addition to marketing plans,
students have written newsletters, developed website copy, performed primary researched,
participated in television programs, organized and executed fundraisers,
created and placed media advertisements, applied for grant funding and
developed social media campaigns.