The Monroe Street Journal

Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Inside Ross

[Click to enlarge]

It's never too early to start your career search. On February 8th, the Michigan Ross School of Business Enriching Academics in Collaboration with High Schools (MREACH) Program teamed up with the Huron Consulting Group to introduce 35 metro-Detroit eleventh graders to the consulting industry. MREACH is a unique program which brings Detroit and other Southeast Michigan high school students to Ross for a series of action-based learning experiences that introduces them to basic business theories and careers.

Huron, a leading provider of financial and operational consulting services, sent two former University of Michigan graduates, Jennifer Greene (Organizational Studies '07) and Kyle Zink (BBA '07), to Ross for the program. Heading up "World of Consulting Day," Huron presented on opportunities in the consulting industry and information about the company and also sponsored a case competition.

Huron's presentation provided MREACH students with the basics of consulting: from a general consulting definition to Huron specific services to an agenda from a "day in the life of a consultant." But in order to bring the career to life in the minds of eleventh graders, Huron sponsored a case competition which allowed the students to think like consultants and to make recommendations on a real business situation.

"Trying to effectively explain the consulting industry to eleventh graders was rough, especially since most juniors and seniors in college don't quite understand exactly what consultants do on a daily basis," Kyle Zink explained. "However, I think the case competition really helped to frame the types of services Huron offers and what the industry does overall."

The business case, a topical discussion on Wal-Mart's troubled expansionary efforts into urban environments, allowed the students to use their creativity and business savvy acquired from previous MREACH sessions. The students were divided into seven groups and were given 25 minutes to brainstorm solutions to Wal-Mart's urban expansion issues. During each group's two minute presentation, MREACH participants could either answer pre-selected questions or pose new solutions for Wal-Mart.

The top 3 groups won Huron branded give-a-ways, such as pens, mints, and even a Hershey "Huron" candy bar. The winning group was chosen based on its understanding of the many issues facing Wal-Mart in the urban environment, such as negative brand image, space constraints of brick and mortar locations, and availability of good labor.

Huron Consulting Group is distinguished as the first corporate firm to present in front of the MREACH participants. The collaboration between Ross and Huron occurred after Robert Koonce, Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs, approached the firm and requested it take part in the program. "I think it's great Huron had the opportunity to participate with MREACH. It really shows me how dedicated the firm is to education and being involved in community initiatives."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools