Walk this way, talk this way
There is a lot to be learned in a classroom. There’s a lot to be learned outside of one, too.
Walk the Talk, an event that brings the two worlds together, is in its 14th year of connecting business students with professionals to discuss issues companies regularly face. Brother Victor M. Forlani, SBA Marianist in Residence and host of the event says it allows students to “get perspective of what it’s like on the ground.”
“When you teach courses you’re way up here with theory,” said Forlani. “But when you’re in a dilemma, you don’t have time to go review Aristotle. You have to have instinct.” The catered luncheons take place in the Miriam atrium about seven times each semester. Local businesspeople, typically from the Dayton Rotary Club, sit one or two to a table with junior and senior business majors. A case study depicting a practical business dilemma is discussed around the table and recommendations are shared with the room of 35-40 students.
The cases are typically written by the School of Business Administration and attempt to stay abreast of current events and issues in the business world. “The idea is to bring everything together that you’ve learned and apply it,” said Forlani. “Students have visions of him or herself in that situation.”
An ancillary benefit to the discussion of realistic situations is networking with local professionals. Students get experience interacting with businesspeople and could pick up interview tips or even a job lead. Walk the Talk is more than a classroom experience; and yes, professional dress is required.
