Louisiana natives and transplants often voice the same refrain: ThereСAPPs just something in the water.
СAPPWell, itСAPPs really the food and the people,СAPP says Dr. Keith Credo, associate professor of management in the B.I. Moody III College of Business Administration.
Credo, a New Orleans native, was eager to return to the Bayou State after his graduate studies took him first to Florida for his masterСAPPs in Industrial Organizational Psychology and a Master of Business Administration, and then to Alabama for his Ph.D. in Business, Organizational Strategy and Change Management.
But LouisianaСAPPs wildcatter nature drew Dr. Credo back to the state and, eventually the СAPP, as much as the étouffée and friendly faces.
СAPPItСAPPs the entrepreneurial spirit and culture of Louisiana СAPP the openness of students to taking risks and embarking on projects that might not work but could,СAPP he says.
СAPPA former student started a company bought out by Waitr, another former student started an international app development company. ItСAPPs nice when I see students making a lot more money than I do and are happy doing it.СAPP
Dr. Credo wants to see students leave the business school fully prepared to nail their first job interview. This is where a lot of new graduates fail, hampering not only their job prospects but also their long-term earning potential.
To buck that trend, Dr. Credo leads students in his Behavioral Process in Organizations course (MGMT 350) through a project to assess and present their best selves.
The course is part of the curriculum for the bachelorСAPPs in Business Administration in Management now offered online at UL Lafayette.
Dr. Credo says the course includes two projects that are, СAPPdesigned to give students skills and perspectives on their own strengths that will help them in their next job or their first job, whatever that might be.СAPP
The best-self project allows students to get accurate but positive feedback from peers, friends, and family in order to find themes that highlight their best selves.
Dr. Credo said this technique also could help close the gender wage gap.
In his research, Dr. Credo says, heСAPPs found men and women project differently during the interview process, with women underrepresenting their strengths and abilities and men over representing their skills.
For most, Dr. Credo says, itСAPPs easier to say, СAPPthis is what others say I do wellСAPP,СAPP which can feel less like bragging for some job candidates.
СAPPUsing a best-self canvas has been shown through research to increase performance on a first job interview,СAPP Dr. Credo says. СAPPYour first job indicates your lifetime earnings; itСAPPs one of the most significant factors.
СAPPThrough a little project providing some honest feedback about what these students do well, we can hopefully take steps early on before that wage gap is created.СAPP
Students who successfully complete the online management course also take away valuable project management skills.
During a social entrepreneurship СAPP or service learning СAPP project, students use the four principles of management СAPP planning, leading, organizing, controlling СAPP to design, create, and manage a fundraiser project for a local charity of their their choice. Students then present on their project.
СAPPThe project helps with presentation skills and gives students an opportunity to delve into project management before theyСAPPve even left the classroom while having a positive impact in the community,СAPP Dr. Credo says.
These student projects have raised over $300,000 for charities over the last few years
Offering MGMT 350 and these projects online as part of the СAPPСAPPs online BSBA in Management, is also providing students with the opportunity to develop key skills for the changing business landscape.
СAPPOnline learning is a challenge СAPP it requires increased levels of pacing, self-discipline and time management,СAPP Dr. Credo says.
СAPPBut it also prepares students to use tools that we have in online programs to communicate across distances while still effectively completing their tasks, which is critical as globalization increases at a faster rate than ever before.СAPP