Gain Experience

Gaining experience through campus organizations provides you with a community of students who share similar interests and goals. You can also seek out leadership opportunities to showcase your skills and develop them further. 

Here are some campus organizations related to Business + Entrepreneurship to consider joining: 

• Actuarial Association
• Alpha Kappa Psi
• Delta Sigma Pi
• Latino Business Association
• Sigma Eta Pi
• Undergraduate Accounting Society
• Undergraduate Economics Association
• Women in Business

Gaining leadership experience while at UCSB is an excellent way to build your resume and qualifications, especially if you are interested in working in the business sector. Whether you assume a leadership position within a student organization or engage in programs such as the Leadership Development program offered through the Student Engagement and Leadership, demonstrating initiative and willingness to effectively lead a team is a positive attribute to highlight to a future employer.

UCSB’s Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers countless opportunities to study abroad. Additionally, it presents an opportunity to attend classes that may not be available at UCSB and incorporate new perspectives into your education.

Enrolling in coursework at reputable institutions that are well-regarded by employers can strengthen your qualifications. An example of this is the London School of Economics, which can expose you to relevant trending areas ranging from international business, international finance, social entrepreneurship, global entrepreneurship, corporate finance, business negotiation, innovation, and e-business, thus enhancing your global business acumen.

The Santa Barbara Career Skills Institute works to enhance your business perspective through offering certificates such as Emerging Leaders, Leader for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Management Tool Box and Sales Techniques. Obtaining these certificates, or similar ones, could increase your qualifications at any point in your career, and these programs are more affordable and less time-intensive than master’s programs. 

One of the more popular programs to consider is the Technology Management Program (TMP) offered through UCSB’s Professional and Continuing Education. Here, students gain an understanding of what it takes to start-up, grow, and operate technology-driven companies and receive direct access to experienced professionals who are familiar with starting new business ventures. Since 1999, the New Venture Competition is a unique aspect of the TMP which provides students a team-oriented approach to learn how to start a business. 

UCSB’s Professional and Continuing Education offers additional certificate programs to enhance your experience in Business + Entrepreneurship, including Business Administration, Business Communication and Law, Global Business, and Strategic Investments. Please note that Professional and Continuing Education offers the option of taking and paying for individual courses or complete certificates. See each program for cost and details.

The Santa Barbara area hosts many local opportunities to connect with professionals and gain additional experience in business. 

Here are a few opportunities to help you get started:

• Women’s Economic Ventures: Opportunity for women to participate in different types of business training programs in order to help launch and establish their own business.
• Economic Forecast Project: Established in 1981 through UCSB’s Department of Economics and provides the community with information regarding economic, demographic, real estate, and regional business trends within the Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura County areas.
• Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce: Offers volunteer opportunities as a useful way to connect with small businesses in the local community.

In all industries, gaining hands-on experience through internships and part-time positions makes you a more competitive candidate for full-time roles. Search Handshake, LinkedIn and additional job search websites with keywords of specific areas of business that interest you. Match the skills you already have with the job description, and review the skills that you will be gaining. Each new experience is a great addition to your resume to showcase your skills and help determine your future career goals!