Clarkson University - School of Business

Clarkson University, located in Potsdam New York, is a private university known "first and foremost as an undergrad engineering school"; however, many students look to its burgeoning business program to help them get a foothold in the business world. Its MBA program allows many of its students to finish in fewer than twelve months, even though many believe they could receive their degree in around "nine months." The "speed and reputation" of the program are just two of the good aspects of the program that many students enjoy. The school tends to use its engineering acumen to teach students about innovations in the engineering sector that may affect business and its own Institute for a Sustainable Environment, which helps to foster "green business."

The main focus of the curriculum, however, is the use of the "supply chain" style of management. While many find this especially "helpful" in the workplace, some students wish the curriculum were a little broader and that the school "cater a little more to marketing and sales students." One thing all students can agree on is that they love the size of the school and praise that, "[it] is very small [and] gives each student a very personalized experience." The faculty are a huge part of the experience and each takes "the time to get to know" the students. Those enrolled in the program think that most professors are "absolutely wonderful" and have taught them a great deal about various facets of business, yet the professors are occasionally hindered by an administration that is not exactly "unified," leaving some to re-teach material that students have already learned. Some subjects may also be under taught. Despite this, they say that the faculty is more than "willing to help students with schoolwork and find jobs." If the faculty is not available, many students love the team-oriented courses and say they "love working at school as [their] fellow students are always available if [they] need help."

Clarkson University boasts that former graduates that have become CEO, president, or vice-president of a company. A large reason for this owes to the Graduate Career Services office, which helps all students find jobs after graduation. While some would like "more opportunities to network for jobs," all agree that the Career Services office is invaluable to students with assets like KnightLink which allows prospects to find job, co-op and internship listings, as well as career workshops. Students also take advantage of the alumni-mentoring program, which allows them to connect with graduates who will help and guide them through the process of finding a job.

Clarkson MBAs most frequently find work with IBM, Accenture, Lockheed Martin, GE, Cooper Industries, Frito-Lay, HSBC, Knowledge Systems and Research, Texas Instruments, and Whiting Turner. While the majority of graduates remain in the Northeast, students are placed throughout the country.

Potsdam is located in rural New York, so "there isn't a whole lot to do unless you know where to find activities." The upside of an isolated campus is that students have fewer distractions: "You learn that business work is not always going to be a forty-hour work week"; weekends are often "straight work days where most group meetings and home- work for the next week are done." Though some students note problems with "admin- istration not always taking care of small issues immediately," "because it is a one-year program…problems are not an issue for very long before a new class comes in."

"Almost all [students] are what you'd traditionally picture as 'MBA' students: white, upper middle class, financially and socially moderate to slightly conservative," and "they are very good at quantitative analysis." "Everyone is accepting of what you believe. They may disagree but it is done in a way that allows for intelligent and thought-provoking conversation." And some students note "the pleasure to meet, interact with and become friends with students from other countries."