Within every university, organizations will be found dedicated to specific characteristics within that diverse community, whether it is religious, educational, cultural or otherwise. While religious organizations keep students grounded, cultural ones connect students who have a shared background and educational ones unite students pursuing similar majors. One such educational organization is the Global Business Club (GBC).

A relatively recent addition to the Kean University campus, GBC connects peers with similar interests in the field of global business. Michael Chattalas, founding faculty advisor, stated, “I first mentored Daniel Barbera, founding President, [Barbera’s successor, Ajuba Gaylord], and officers on all the steps, both formal and informal, required to start a new club, ultimately leading to being funded by [Student Organization]. These steps included idea generation, branding the club's name, logo, identity and mission and recruiting student-members and faculty-support, in-step with the values and aspirations of our Global Business School.”

Business is a pervasive concept in today’s society. With the advancement of technology and the pace of society being so accelerated, nearly everything can be magnified onto a global scale. For some, that is counterproductive, for others, it’s augmenting because where business is concerned, the bigger the better.

Business is an industry that thrives in larger settings. It is one profession that is intertwined into the fabric of virtually every area. A large part of contemporary society, individuals can pursue management positions or start a business in pretty much any industry. The possibilities are ceaseless. For instance, within hospitals, opportunities include human resources manager, program director or clinic manager.

People interested in educational services can become director of admissions, marketing manager or administrative manager. For other professions such as scientific and technical services, careers include project manager, product managers or district manager. For that reason, GBC is an invaluable resource for any and every one.

Chattalas states, “The GBC provides a venue for globally-minded students who are inspired by the impressive internationalization of Kean University as expressed by the multicultural diversity of our students, the Global Business School and its focus on a practical education, and of course; our unique presence in the world's top-two global markets: the USA and China!”

For developing college students, GBC is a place where they can learn about their future field, mature as professionals and support their peers. Being involved has various advantages. For one thing, it places students in a concentrated population of globally-minded students.

Gaylord, junior business management major and President of GBC, states, “Students believe if they are in a club/organization, [they] have more of an input; they cannot only share their ideas and visions, but can also get ideas and expand their visions.”

Often times, the club invites global business faculty and industry professionals to serve as speakers, role models and mentors. The GBC is an environment of growth, wherein members can expand their knowledge, gain networking opportunities and have access to internships.

The GBC is led by a proactive, intelligent and extraordinary team. Gaylord states, “Being President of the [GBC] is a team effort. I, along with the executive board members—[Vice President] Evelyn Roque, Secretary Ailyn Robles, Treasurer Harry Weiss, Advisor Michael Chattalas—and our members makes the [GBC] possible.”

Global Business Club e-board
Aliyah Price-Perry l The Cougar’s Byte

It is not only an internal team effort, but an external team effort as well within the Kean community. The club coordinates with Asian Studies, Lori Prodeline in the Office of Student Government and several others within the Internship Department.

The club holds its meetings every Thursday. At each meeting, members bounce ideas off of each other, everyone contributes their thoughts and the club flourishes. Vince Principe, junior global business major, states, “The president is not like a dictatorship; the whole E-board is very open to new ideas. They want everyone to feel like they have a choice.”

Since the club began, it has progressed in unimaginable ways. As time goes on, the members have taken GBC in new and innovative directions. Chattalas states, “I have been faculty advisor since the club's inception (over [the] past two years), and am pleased to see the club emerge as one of the most dynamic student groups on campus. It is quite rewarding to experience the growing involvement, global awareness and professional confidence among our GBC members.”

At every college, it’s essential to have organizations that reflect students’ chosen career paths. The GBC provides students with guidance, friendship and opportunity, all of which are priceless parts of the college experience. To learn more click here.