About the Foundation

“I wouldn’t be going where I’m going without the help of the outstanding staff at Career Services,” says Sam Rosen (McIntire ’07). Rosen will join Citigroup as an Analyst in the financial giant’s corporate banking division this spring. “I’m certain they’re one of the primary reasons our program is nationally recognized as one of the best undergraduate business schools in the country. The overwhelming number of top employers that come each year to recruit McIntire students reflects Career Services’ hard work and dedication. Whether your cover letter needs editing, your tie needs to be fixed, or you just want a piece of candy, the Career Services team is always there to help.”

Professor Felicia Marston: “In recent years, thanks to summer research support from the Foundation, I’ve had the opportunity to examine various important issues related to analysts’ forecasts and recommendations. Most recently, I’ve been working with Professor Alexander Ljungqvist, of NYU, and McIntire Professor Bill Wilhelm to examine whether analysts’ optimistic reports helped their firms’ investment bankers gain co-management positions in corporate debt and equity offerings. I’ve also examined, with Professor Ljungqvist and the London School of Business’ Christopher Malloy, extensive changes to the I/B/E/S database’s recommendations of financial analysts and the potential effect those changes have had on academic research.”

“Career Services is a fabulous resource,” says Angela Johnson (McIntire ’08). “They can help you with anything—from things like how to write a resume and tips for interviewing, to internship opportunities and information on careers in different cities. They also provide so many helpful experiences that you wouldn’t expect—like the Macy’s etiquette dinner and a workshop (sponsored by Goldman Sachs) on how to turn your internship into a full-time job.” Johnson, a marketing concentrator, will work as an intern this summer at advertising powerhouse McCann-Erickson, in New York. Says Johnson of Career Services, “It’s really helpful to have a team of people who truly care about you, and who know you by name.”

“At McIntire, it can be hard to find time to explore your additional talents because of the rigor of the ICE program and the focus it takes to complete your degree,” says Erin Gordon (McIntire ’07). However, thanks to the McIntire Foundation, I was able to complete a painting series, “Back to the Lawn: Economic Bloom,” which will be displayed in McIntire’s new home on the Lawn. Although I was given some restrictions as to the subject matter, I certainly had the flexibility to be creative. The project gave me the opportunity to use my gifts for the benefit of the School, and in a way that really reflects its tightly knit community. I truly appreciate the support the School and the Foundation has shown me. When I walk the Lawn, I will know I have contributed to the University to the best of my abilities. Without a doubt, the McIntire Foundation has made this possible.”

Professor Rob Cross: “The McIntire Foundation provided the crucial, initial support for the Network Roundtable, a research consortium that has grown to include more than 65 of the world’s leading corporations and organizations. The Roundtable is focused on the application of network ideas to key business issues. In recent years, the Roundtable’s work has been published in such highly regarded journals as McKinsey Quarterly; Sloan Management Review; and Business Strategy.”

Professor Gary Ballinger: “In the summer and fall of 2006, my McIntire colleague Jeremy Marcel and I made use of funding from the McIntire Foundation to investigate the financial performance implications of firms’ using interim CEOs during succession episodes, an increasingly common practice. Interestingly, we found that the choice to use an interim CEO was negatively related to firms’ subsequent financial performance. We likewise found that firms that used an interim CEO were significantly more likely to eventually fail. This negative performance effect of interim CEOs on firm ROA and long-term firm survival was more acute in cases of voluntary succession. Our findings will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Strategic Management Society in San Diego in October 2007.”

“Career Services provided me with the tools I needed to find a rewarding summer internship and then a full-time job,” says Michelle Nguyen (McIntire ’07). They organize informative panel discussions, conduct mock interviews, review resumes and cover letters, and plan phenomenal job fairs that always have more than 100 interested employers! The CCS staff members have not only been great mentors, they’ve been great friends. They have profoundly impacted my McIntire experience, and I look forward to coming back as an alumna—I know that their doors will always be open!”

Professor Peter Gray: “This summer, I’ll continue my research into collaboration technologies, extending my previous work on the effectiveness of knowledge repository validation processes, how employees seek out and access each others’ expertise in virtual work settings, what drives individuals to participate in online communities, and what motivates users of open source software architectures.”

Professor Carrie Heilman: “Thanks to my summer research support from the McIntire Foundation, I’ll be able to continue work on a study I began last summer, titled “The Effectiveness of In-Store Free Samples.” The study looks at a number of issues that are of interest to retailers and manufacturers, such as why some consumers take free samples while others avoid them, why some people go on to buy sampled products while others don’t, and the impact of samples on consumers’ store choice and their perceptions of store quality.”

“The Career Services Office provides a perfect snapshot of what makes McIntire such a unique and warm community,” says Kimberly Han (McIntire ’07). “Whether you need guidance in your career choices, assistance in searching through job openings, or help using the School’s large alumni network database, the folks at Career Services are always there to help out with a smile. As a team, they are absolutely dedicated to the Commerce School, and to the success of its graduates.”

Professor Tom Bateman: "Recently, Professor Rob Cross and I used Foundation funding to conduct a study that looked at how people's work contributes to their overall psychological well-being. We identified six functions that work relationships provide for people: task accomplishment; career and professional development; political support; personal support; sense making; and a sense of purpose. We found that three of these (personal support, political support, and a sense of purpose) predicted people's psychological well-being. We also studied several psychological variables – including “life goal” factors such as wealth, fame, meaningful relationships, and personal growth – that might predict well-being. Among other things, we found that striving for meaningful relationships was a positive predictor of well-being, while fame was a negative predictor. We found that wealth was neither a positive nor a negative predictor. That is, the pursuit of wealth is not inherently good or bad for people’s well-being, but it can be a negative if it is not supplemented by other motivations such as personal growth and meaningful relationships."