Beyond the Traditional Classroom Experience
Our mission is to employ the use of experiential learning to uniquely position the Fox School as a school whose students are given hands-on opportunities well beyond the traditional classroom experience. With Philadelphia as our classroom, and well-developed programs around the globe and in the virtual space, we have an enhanced ability to enrich our students’ classroom-based theory.
Experiential learning means our students learn by doing, and this is a hallmark of a Fox School education. We prepare students to thrive in today’s digital, global economy, and we provide them with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities throughout their education. Examples include an internship with a Big Four accounting firm, case studies on such topics as The Personal Branding of Former Philadelphia Eagle Jason Kelce (FLDP) and plant tours at Philadelphia entities like Port of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market and Philadelphia International Airport.
Our faculty are world-class teachers. They recognize that today’s learning models have changed and are continuing to evolve. By offering students hands-on opportunities that go well beyond the traditional classroom experience, we ensure our students’ educational experience is one of robust personal and professional growth.
To learn more, contact Misty Blessley.
This is an empirical project where students identify a race problem that occurred during the semester, formulate a solution, actually carry out the solution, and analyze the results. The analysis of the results includes: a discussion of the implementation of the solution, their anticipated results prior to taking action, why they took the action that they implemented, other possible actions they could have taken, and in retrospect would they respond the same way if confronted with the same problem again--if so, why and if not, how would they now respond. This project requires each student to “open their eyes,” become aware of racial issues around them, not only recognize ways to resolve them, but actually address the identified problem. “Don’t just talk the talk but also walk the walk.”
Students develop pricing assumptions for two versions for a life/health insurance product. They support selected assumptions with a rationale and industry references. Using the assumptions, they develop 896 product/age/sex/inflation/tax status and monthly prices using Excel and VBA. They also write up an actuarial memorandum supporting assumption selection, price methodology and product prices. This project is mentored by industry practicing judges, culminating in a presentation and a session in which students provide answers to the judges’ questions.
The mock human resources information system (HRIS) includes data for 300 active employees and 100 inactive employees. Human capital questions and talent management challenges can be solved using this data. Students gain experience in addressing recruiting, compensation, retention, and employee development.
VITA is a nationwide organization regulated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that offers free tax help to people who make less than $67,000 per year for 2024. Since 2008, students, faculty, and alumni of the Fox School’s Department of Accounting have assisted low-income members of the Philadelphia community by filing their income-tax returns for free through Temple University’s VITA program.
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While at the Fox School, students learn by doing in ways that are beneficial to their professional journey. Here's what they have to say in their own words.
Professors encouraged us through research projects to have conversations with professionals and even visit their workplaces to get a feel for what our futures might look like. These experiences helped me understand my values and how I would align them in my professional career. TUSCA, the supply chain organization, encouraged me out of my shell at the many networking events they offered. I learned the value of walking up to a stranger and saying hello, especially when a connection I made my freshman year helped me land an internship position two years later. I am now exponentially more comfortable connecting on a professional level, which has greatly helped me especially now in my remote position at AmerisourceBergen.
My preferred method of learning is to do it. Something can be explained to me several times, but unless I do it myself, I will forget or I won’t fully understand what I am supposed to do. Having internships under my belt that had to do with what I was studying helped me greatly in trying to decide if I liked my major and if I liked what I was doing or if I needed to go a different route within my field. Also, experiential learning helped me learn more about what opportunities are within my major that are not talked about in classes.
I learned through participating in different organizations to get more hands-on experience. I joined a student professional organization (SPO) that helped me network with my peers and allowed me to network with industry professionals. The SPO provided me with a lot of information and opportunities to grow my industry knowledge. Also, my Business Communication class gave me resources that will help me in the future as an emerging professional, specifically presentation skills and business writing etiquette.
My experience at Fox was profoundly shaped by the "learning by doing" philosophy. Although balancing internships with my coursework was challenging, the result taught me skills crucial in today's dynamic business environment. For instance, during my internships at Tesla, Apple, and startup Relativity Space, I was able to work on cutting-edge projects that pushed the boundaries of my technical and analytical capabilities.
At Tesla, I delved into data analytics and procurement projects that had a direct impact on operational efficiency. My time at Apple provided me with a deep dive into product development, where I learned the importance of a cost-cutting customer-centric design. Working at Relativity, I was exposed to the fast-paced, multifaceted nature of building a business from the ground up, which honed my entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking.
These internships, coupled with the academic rigor at Fox, provided a holistic learning experience. The practical application of classroom theories in real-world scenarios reinforced my understanding and prepared me for the complexities of the business world. The support and resources at Fox coupled with my internships equipped me for my current role at Relativity Space as a Supply Chain analyst. The blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience was instrumental in preparing me for the challenges of the business world.
I’m quite pleased with my experience in the International Business Program at Fox. Not only has the program prepared me for the ever-changing demands of the global economy, but it also taught me how to think critically and solve problems creatively. The practical skills and hands-on experience, my real-world projects, and coursework have truly prepared me to go into the workforce. The most impactful aspect of the program was my involvement and leadership experience as President with the International Business Association. My time with the IBA, growing the organization and developing the minds of future IB leaders couldn’t be duplicated. The strong network of professors, industry professionals, and fellow peers that I formed relationships with goes beyond the classroom.
The finance department at Fox offers abundant experiential learning opportunities that, although challenging and at times unpredictable, supercharged my professionalism and workplace readiness. Getting thrown right into the fire was tremendously effective, and as President the Temple Finance Association (TFA) and an analyst in William C. Dunkelberg Owl Fund, I harnessed dedicated SPO resources to cultivate technical skills and market intuition quicker than a traditional curriculum allows.
Countless faculty in the finance department worked tirelessly to develop supplementary organizations that differentiate Temple students from other college graduates competing for Wall Street positions. My tenure in the Owl Fund, full of successes and notable investment failures, taught me how to fundamentally value companies and create a holistic investment thesis. The Fund invests real dollars into these theses, which means real risk and real returns, but also very real employer interest. Personally, I can attribute my post-graduation employment to the Fund’s robust alumni network and its technical skill bootcamp, which propelled me through my interview process.
Our TFA executive team was tasked with integrating more students into the finance department ecosystem following the resumption of in-person instruction. When it comes to professionalism, I soaked up more experience in two semesters speaking with employers, coordinating events with Fox alumni, and communicating with my team than I would have in my four years otherwise.
Getting involved is critical to success at the Fox School of Business. I was fortunate to benefit from Fox’s commitment to experiential education and the dedicated professors that carry out that mission.
I have truly enjoyed my time spent at the Fox School of Business as a dual major in Finance and Financial Planning. The exciting and dynamic curriculum is designed to be applicable across all aspects of business. In the same way, Executive-Board involvement in Student Professional Organizations provides an excellent channel to apply classroom practices to collaborating real-world enterprises. Both experimental classroom learning and application opportunities of SPOs have well prepared me for my Credit Risk internship at J.P. Morgan in New York this summer. Even in NYC, Fox continuously demonstrates excellence as I have ample opportunities to network with alumni across a variety of industries and lines of business.
All Temple students are involved per their classroom learning. Students interested in further EL activities should reach out to their professors and relevant student professional organizations.
The Fox School of Business and School of Sports, Tourism and Hospitality Management welcomes experiential learning opportunities with our colleagues in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Please browse our notable programs or reach out to our co-directors.
If you are a student who would be interested in learning more about experiential learning activities or wants to get involved, contact Misty Blessley. Representatives of organizations or companies who would like to partner with Fox for an experiential learning activity can also contact Blessley for additional information.
