Monthly Archives: December 2019

Finance Student Interns at the State of Michigan Treasury

By Alexis Menard On December 23, 2019 1:30 pm

Barclay (Clay) Davis, BBA ’19 in Finance

Barclay (Clay) Davis graduated with honors from UM-Flint School of Management in December 2019 with his Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) in Finance. During his time at UM-Flint, he applied his knowledge at an internship at the State of Michigan Treasury. In his role as the student assistant, he supported the Real, Opportunistic, and Absolute Return Division through research and analysis skills to recommend purchases, retention or sale of investments.

Davis is originally from Highland, Michigan and choose UM-Flint because of the high quality of education and affordability of tuition. “The application of the concepts I learned at UM-flint helped me understand my studies more and relate them to what I wanted to do as a career,” Davis continues, “I would have to say nearly all my School of Management courses directly or indirectly applied to my internship as a wide variety of skills and knowledge were required for my internship. This internship gave me the opportunity to show my skills and I am now being considered for a full-time financial analyst position.”

His post-graduation goal is to pursue a career as a financial analyst, one of the most prevalent career paths in finance. “I plan to become a financial analyst for the State of Michigan Retirement Systems pension fund within the State of Michigan Treasury. I have always had an interest in finance and financial markets and enjoy the process of identifying and researching investments,” said Davis. At his position, he gained a variety of skills but mostly valued gaining firsthand knowledge of what a financial analyst goes through on a daily basis and enjoyed meeting with large financial firms. “This experience showed me the level of expertise, attention to detail, and hard work it takes to be financial analysts,” said Davis.

Mr. Nichols, Lecturer of Management, and Dr. Stephens, Lecturer of Finance, informed Davis about the competitive internship program at the State of Michigan Treasury. “I cannot thank both of them enough for their interest in finding opportunities for students that lead to internships and potential careers,” Davis continues, “UM-Flint has given me the opportunity and skills necessary to excel in my future career, and I cannot thank the University enough.”

Dear Professor: Accommodating religious preferences in the workplace

Posted by Alexis Menard on December 10, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Dear Professor:

Q: I am an employer of 110 employees in a retail setting. How far do I have to go to accommodate religious preferences?

A: Religion is one of the five protected classes under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, along with race, sex and national origin.  Employers cannot discriminate against employees or applicants on the basis of being a member of one or more of the five classes.  The law applies to employers of more than 15 employees, including government employers.

Typically, religious bias arises when an employee’s work schedule conflicts with a religious observance or appearance requirements.  But frequently the type of work creates a conflict, such as anti-abortion nurses required to assist in abortions.  Further, pejorative statements by other employees or supervisors can form a basis for a religious discrimination claim.

An employer is required to accommodate religion unless it causes an undue hardship on the employer. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the accommodation does not have to involve more than minimal expense or operational problems.  For example, an employer does not have to incur shift or overtime premiums to cover for an employee’s religious request or change seniority or require others to work a shift to accommodate. On the other hand, an employer would have to allow employees doing the same work to voluntarily switch shifts.

 (If you have a question of general interest in any area of business, send your inquiry to [email protected].  An answer will be posted in the immediate subsequent issue. Individual advice is not offered in this forum.  The opinion is that of the professor answering your question and not necessarily that of SOM or UM.)

Negotiating Outcomes: Book Review by Francine Cullari

Written by Francine Cullari on November 25, 2019. Posted by Alexis Menard on December 10, 2019 at 12:50 pm

Negotiating Outcomes (Harvard Business School Pocket Mentor Series, Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA, 2007)

Among the plethora of business advice books and articles, the Harvard Business School Pocket Mentor Series provides the most complete albeit concise advice on ten topics ranging from leading teams to managing projects to negotiating outcomes.  Negotiating Outcomes has 94 pages of cogent steps to having success in any type of negotiation process.  Alumni have on occasion contacted me to report favorable results using the recommended techniques in purchasing a car, being interviewed for employment, and investment club policy.

The booklet first distinguishes between distributive negotiation, in which a gain by one side is made at the expense of the other (win-lose), and integrative negotiation, in which joint and individual is the goal for both sides (win-win). Tactics for each type of negotiation are explored.  Steps prior to negotiation, including various preparation forms, the first meeting of negotiators, and negotiation itself are identified and explained. 

Specific steps are recommended to deal with barriers to agreement, such as lack of trust, saboteurs, differences in gender and culture, communication problems, irrational escalation, partisan perception, overconfidence, unchecked emotions and unreasonable expectations.

There are numerous books on how to negotiate, but it unlikely you will find an easier-to-read, easier-to-use, thoroughly clear, and inexpensive aid.

-Francine Cullari, MA, MBA, JD

From Finance to Accounting, How One Graduate Sought Change: December’s aMAIZEing Alumni

By Alexis Menard On December 9, 2019 1:00 pm

Maxwell Montney, BBA ’18 in Finance

Alumnus, Maxwell Montney, received his BBA in Finance and a minor in Economics in April 2018. Maxwell has been working for at the University of Michigan-Flint in the Financial Services & Budget department for over a year as an Accountant. This fall, he decided to start his MBA in Organizational Leadership at the School of Management. As our featured Alumnus, Maxwell will provide insight into why he transitioned to the accounting field, his favorite experiences from UM-Flint, and advice about pursuing a career in business.

Why did you choose UM-Flint for your BBA?

I chose UM-Flint due to three reasons. It was close to home, which helped me save money. I liked the fact that there are smaller class sizes, which allowed for more interaction with faculty members. And lastly, the opportunities and resources students have access to. Multiple companies are looking to hire UM-Flint students and graduates. Antonio Riggs, Student Services Coordinator, is a great resource and connection to have after graduation. Antonio is great at his job and loves helping students.

What is one of your favorite experiences at UM-Flint?

I would have to say taking a trip with the School of Management to the Federal Reserve in Detroit was my favorite experience. Seeing how that place operates was fascinating. If anyone ever gets the chance to go, I would highly recommend it.

Secondly, the School of Management hosts Alumni Evenings or networking dinners. I have had a great time reconnecting with faculty and a variety of SOM alumni at these events. They are typically Friday evenings so it’s easy to go to their events right after work.

Why did you choose to go into the career path you are currently in?

I always knew I wanted to work with numbers, and I have a passion for helping individuals and organizations meet their financial goals. My undergraduate concentration was Finance, but I currently work as an Accountant for the University of Michigan – Flint. The nice thing about an Accounting or Finance degree is that it can allow for movement between each field. This is sometimes true, but it’s not always the case. I had an internship in college where I learned a lot about the importance of analyzing and organizing data. With these skills and the information I learned in the classroom, I was able to apply it to my current position at UM-Flint.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments so far?

My proudest accomplishment would have to be the day I graduated. Walking across the stage and receiving my degree was a feeling unlike any other. I recently began pursuing my MBA, so I hope to capture that feeling again someday.

What advice would you give students that are thinking of pursuing a career in Business? 

Business is a broad field, so I can confidently say that you need to get out of your comfort zone. Most of you won’t find what you truly enjoy doing without some trial and error along the way. Don’t be afraid to fail, and if you do, turn it into a learning experience that will hone your skills and abilities. 

What would you like to see happen to UM-Flint/Flint within the next five years?

I would ultimately like to see Flint and UM-Flint grow simultaneously. Many people have been trying to create positive change throughout the city over the last few years, and the university is a great ally in this effort.

Fun Facts!

I love visiting the U.P. and traveling to new places. My most recent vacation this year was to Maine over the summer and it had plenty of great views, including Acadia National Park. I’m also a huge supporter of all things UofM when it comes to sports. Go blue!

School of Management Student Receives Prestigious Women in Defense Award

By Alexis Menard On December 4, 2019, 10:15 am

Alexandria Thompson speaking at the Women in Defense gala on November 8, 2019

UM-Flint School of Management student, Alexandria Thompson, received the distinguished HORIZONS scholarship from the Women in Defense – Michigan Chapter. The scholarship is given to encourage women to pursue careers related to national security and defense fields in the United States. Thompson is a U.S. Air Force veteran and will be receiving her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Supply Chain Management in December 2019. She will be graduating with honors from UM-Flint on Sunday, December 15, 2019.

Thompson received the scholarship at the 11th Annual Women in Defense gala on November 8, 2019, at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, MI. “It was an incredibly special night because I got to bring my mom as my date,” said Thompson, “My mom is a U.S. Air Force veteran with ten years of active duty service. Being able to celebrate women who are often underrepresented in their defense and military careers, alongside my mom, was an absolute dream.” 

Pictured left to right: Dee Thompson (Mother), U.S. Air Force veteran, and Alexandria Thompson, U.S. Air Force veteran

Previously, Thompson worked combat supply operations for an F-16 fighter squadron in various countries such as Japan, Jordan, Djibouti, and Singapore. Thompson said that the traveling made it difficult to pursue a degree, “I separated and began pursuing my degree at UM-Flint [and] it allowed me to pursue my education from one of Michigan’s top tier schools without having to move again.”  

Thompson said, “The Supply Chain Management program at UM-Flint provides a global perspective on business, logistics, and management that promotes the skills and objectives that directly apply to what is required of a civilian to support our military members on the front lines.” Thompson added, “Courses such as Project Management, International Management, and Operations Management have taught me abilities in planning and developing strategies outside of national boundaries.”

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/SW7og2Lj3My15Q3Eo_DRNuGf4X5OgFtwGoNLFRIW2ayFCyci8BA_bC1VQEBUp5Qk5gOWlBPiEThqVIqfU6Q9TyhwDelicWzQLaZ6e5Nv3ThM62EHSgR9HxXV681ZQblI_EsZeye7
HORIZONS Scholarship Award Certificate

One of the obstacles Thompson had to overcome to attend UM-Flint was getting back into the academic mindset after being out of school for so long. “I struggled very much in the beginning, especially in math-related subjects. I spent every spare minute I had in the math tutor lab getting help,” said Thompson. Thompson credits her achievements to Larry Nichols, School of Management Lecturer, for writing her a letter of recommendation for the HORIZONS scholarship. “Mr. Nichols is a rare educator that genuinely cares about his students’ success,” said Thompson. 

Thompson is currently working as a Student Contracting Trainee for the U.S. Army at the Detroit Arsenal. After graduation, Thompson will be working towards becoming a Contract Specialist and will continue her career with the U.S. Army. “I knew after my military service that I would like to pursue a career within the Department of Defense. I think it is important to have pride in what you do and the military offers a sense of pride unlike any other.”