By Nathaniel Luce
Due to logistical challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Accelerator® Business Immersions at Vanderbilt is making several adjustments to its programming for summer 2020.
Accelerator® Summer Business Immersion, Accelerator® Finance Bootcamp, and Accelerator® Business Fellowship for Student-Athletes will not be held this summer.
In their place, a new, fully remote program — Accelerator ® Virtual Business Immersion — has been created to provide college students and recent graduates with a real consulting and marketing experience to build their resume, along with self-paced business acumen.
The program offers two tracks — Leading Virtual Teams and Business Essentials — which can be completed separately or sequentially. Both tracks are open enrollment, with no application required, and participants earn a certificate upon completion of each.
Leading Virtual Teams is a one-week, project-based track with live instruction, group project work, and career development. Participants will learn to work with and lead teams in a virtual world; gain business knowledge to tackle today’s challenges; and develop higher-level skills to engage potential clients and customers online. They will also receive individual career coaching and professional development. The track is designed to equip students with a foundational understanding of consulting, marketing, and working in a virtual world.
Greg Harvey
“Accelerator is known for real-world and immersive programming,” said Greg Harvey, Director of Accelerator® Business Immersions at Vanderbilt. “Leading Virtual Teams will help students build their resumes and set them apart from their peers by adding this meaningful real project experience.”
Accelerator® Business Essentials is a three-day, online track offering foundational, self-paced online business classes prior to the start of Leading Virtual Teams. Over the course of three days, students will gain a broad understanding of the concepts and applications in the areas of Leadership, Operations, Innovation, and Personal Branding.
“In our new reality, the ability to effectively lead and contribute virtually will be an essential business skill,” said Jon Lehman, Faculty Director for Accelerator® Business Immersions at Vanderbilt. “This new program combines online content taught by some of Owen’s best faculty followed by a real world project tackled in a virtual team format. You solve a challenging business issue and interact with leading executives online while learning the nuances of virtual teaming. This kind of experience is highly sought after by the most selective employers.”
Leading Virtual Teams takes place June 7-13, 2020. Participants taking both tracks are encouraged to complete the Business Essentials track ahead of Leading Virtual Teams. Click here to learn more about the program and register.
