News

MBA picnic expands network for Rutgers Business School students

August 17, 2009

RBS students, family and friends enjoy food and networking at the MBA picnic.

On a gorgeous sunny summer Saturday in July on the banks of the Raritan River, Rutgers Stadium in the distance, over 150 MBA students, alumni, family, faculty and staff gathered for an afternoon picnic full of food, games, music and networking.

Frisbees and balls flew through the air as kids raced around picnic tables congregated by groups in deep conversation, laughter always near. An exploding piñata delighted kids and adults alike. Smoke rose through the trees from grills stacked with chicken and hamburgers. For one afternoon, the pressures of studying at Rutgers Business School (RBS) melted away in the summer heat.

“These events are so important because they offer an opportunity for us at RBS as well as our students, to thank the families, friends and colleagues who support them,” said Barbara Sackie, Assistant Dean, MBA Student Services. “The school provides the degree – this type of event provides the connection, networking, and on a personal level, an opportunity of saying to the students, you matter outside of the classroom too.”

Doug Jones, Professor, Department of Management Science & Information Systems and Grill Master.

The MBA students appreciated the chance to spend time getting to know one another outside the classroom and share their experiences at RBS. “Rutgers Business School has a good ranking and is one of the best schools around New York and New Jersey,” said Suresh Jayavelu, an engineer for URC Associates who is pursuing his MBA part-time. “I hope my widened contacts at RBS help me one day.”

David Kaiserman, MBA, RBS alum and Councilman in Sayreville Township, New Jersey, urged Rutgers Business School graduates to look out for one another. “I ask all new MBA students to have school pride and consider the Rutgers MBA program a brotherhood where we help each other out in any way we can,” said Kaiserman.

Events like the RBS picnic help students expand their networks. “I met several alumni and students at the RBS MBA picnic and I’m sure I will be keeping in touch with them,” said Joanna Maciorowska, a chemist at Chanel and part-time MBA student.

From left to right: MBA students Joanna Maciorowska, friend of RBS, Suresh Jayavelu, and David Kaiserman, MBA, holding his son Brandon, next to his wife Melanie.

Why RBS
With a plethora of options for pursuing an MBA, Kaiserman offered his reasoning for choosing Rutgers Business School. “I did a cost/benefit analysis and realized that the cost of the degree compared to the quality was an excellent ratio and that at Rutgers Business School you get more ‘bang for your buck’ with a quality education that not many others can offer at the price Rutgers can,” he said.

“I think it's like getting a Ferrari at the cost of a Honda. I also realized that if you can work through the tough courses and succeed at Rutgers, you can succeed anywhere,” said Kaiserman.

Getting an MBA at Rutgers Business School will help Maciorowska break through the ceiling at her company in terms of getting promoted to take on greater work and responsibility. “With my bachelors degree in chemistry, I am currently as far as I can get in my company,” she said.

“I noticed a trend that a lot of people with a background in science have gone back to get their MBA. Most companies believe that scientists with an MBA are able to see things they are doing in a comprehensive way – from both a scientific and business point of view,” said Maciorowska.

Jayavelu offered a similar story, “I have been working in the US for the past 10 years and reached a point where I need more value to grow. I have my bachelors degree in engineering from India, so an MBA from in the US at Rutgers Business School will go a long way to help me grow in my career.”

Susan Gilbert, Associate Dean and Executive Director of MBA Programs was delighted by the turnout and great work by all the volunteers. “ I want to thank and congratulate the student committee: Kuber Bhalla, Urvika Patel, Anh Tran, Linda Fu, Kim Oanh Le, Leah Moyers, and Amrita Purohit; the tireless New Brunswick team and committee chairs: Barbara Sackie and Rosanne Martin, our chefs: Doug Jones, Joe Markert, Robert McNamee, and Pooja Thakur; as well as staff friends: Rita Galen, Sharon Lydon, Ingrid Castillo, Faith Ann Brown, Eric Koomen and Dan Stoll.”

Daniel Stoll
dstoll@business.rutgers.edu