Anthony Swenson plans to pursue a career in health care consulting after he graduates from Vanderbilt in 2019. But participating in the Accelerator program, which he believes will help him prepare for his eventual job search, also piqued his interest in a career devoted to education reform.

Because of Accelerator, he says, “I have seen the advantages of learning through hands-on experiences rather than the traditional lecture hall. Most of my academic career has been centered around performing well on tests, and Accelerator changed this idea by focusing more on learning and team building.”

The program, he says, was a great way to explore what aspects of business interest him. (He found that he enjoys consulting as much as he had hoped; finance, not so much.) “You have the chance to work with real companies on real consulting projects,” he says. “As opposed to a typical case competition, Accelerator offers students a chance to have their ideas implemented by these companies.

“And working in teams with driven students has been an unbelievable experience. I have never been surrounded by so many driven people who all seem to be here for the same reason as I was. The group becomes close-knit as the program progresses, which makes the late nights and fatigue worthwhile.”

All in all, Anthony believes, the program benefited him in ways that no typical summer internship could have. “The coaches and mentors prepare you for the business world,” he says. “You learn a great deal about yourself in terms of how you work in a team and how you can improve.

“Anyone considering consulting for a career should spend the month of June at Accelerator.”

Fun Fact: Anthony enjoys listening to new music — as well as live music at such Nashville venues as Ryman Auditorium, Marathon Music Works and the Exit/In.

“Most of my academic career has been centered around performing well on tests, and Accelerator changed this idea by focusing more on learning and team building.”