It’s not unusual to run into a business leader who’s keen on history, watches the History Channel and Ken Burns documentaries, and reads biographies by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
But is there a reason beyond personal interest to consider the past? Should business students study history in college?
As a history professor, I have a vested interest in saying “yes.” But I also have reasons. Here are two:
Imagine this scenario.
You’ve just started your first job out of college and you get this inter-office mail from your new boss: “Has our client answered the questions we had for our report?”
Panic sets in. You’re working on a number of reports. Which one? And how should you respond? You hardly know the new boss — would an in-person update be too informal? Is inter-office mail too slow?
When people think about educating artists, they often focus primarily on the technical artistic skills. But given the current economic climate, simply being able to write, sing, or sculpt isn’t enough. Tomorrow’s most successful students will come from programs and schools that recognize the importance of integrating business training into their arts education.
What a season. The 2011-2012 Bentley women’s basketball team tallied 31 wins and came within one victory of the Division II National Championship game, falling in the semifinals to Ashland (Ohio) University. It was a second consecutive appearance in the Division II Elite Eight for the squad and coach Barbara Stevens – and the program’s best finish since 2002-2003.
It’s not often that a college football team has the same quarterback for several years running. But Bentley head coach Thom Boerman and his Falcons are counting experience on their side as graduate student Bryant Johnson leads the offense for a third straight season.
Just because the economy has gone south, careers don’t have to follow suit. So says Barbara Hyle of the Center for Career Services, which has launched a biweekly electronic newsletter for Bentley graduates. Bentley@Work features job openings submitted by alumni, companies and recruiters.