It’s time again for our regular Trivia Tuesday column examining the policies, programs, and opportunities available at the leading business schools. Today we’ll take a look at the ways students are involved in the non-profit management programs at the Yale SOM.
According to the biennial survey of MBA programs published by Beyond Grey Pinstripes, Yale is among the top 25 full-time programs for incorporating environmental and social issues into their curricula and research. Yale’s high level of attention to these issues is made possible by a number of school-sponsored programs, and borne out in Yale students’ participation in events promoting social entrepreneurship and sustainable business.
Yale’s reputation in non-profit and public sector management attracts a high number of students interested in entering these fields, and the campus Net Impact chapter is one of the most active student-run organizations at the school. In addition to sending delegates to the national conference each year, Net Impact works with other campus organizations to present events for the benefit of the student body. These include an annual case competition, the Future of Philanthropy Conference, an internship forum in conjunction with the Career Development Office, and a series of panels on corporate and social responsibility.
The SOM community provides further support for students interested in public service careers through the Internship Fund, a student-run organization providing financial support for classmates pursuing careers in government, education or the non-profit sector. Founded in 1979, the fund provides a stipend for students completing summer internships at low-paying public or non-profit organizations; typically about 20% of each class has benefited from this support.
To raise money for these stipends, the Internship Fund coordinates fund-raising activities throughout the year, the most popular of which is the annual Internship Fund Auction. Conducted in three stages – an online auction for remotely-located alumni, a silent auction and a live event – the Internship Fund Auction brings the community together to donate and bid on prizes. In 2009, prizes included a hot air balloon ride, tickets to the U.S. Open, a trip to a coffee farm in Guatemala, and guaranteed front row graduation seats for family members.
For more information on Yale’s non-profit management program, campus activities, or non-profit career placement figures be sure to check out the school’s website or the Clear Admit School Guide to Yale!
