QUBE’s (Queen’s University Business Engagement) purpose is to expose first-year students to the various sectors of business and to provide them with resources that foster growth, and to bridge the gap between first-year and upper-year students. QUBE is the catalyst that shows students available opportunities and encourages them to further explore those opportunities that best suit them. This will be accomplished through QUBE’s Industry Exploration, Professional Development, and Mentorship programs.

Industry Exploration will consist of a series of upper-year and external speakers with internship/industry experience, hosted by QUBE and select partners.

Professional Development will serve to develop first-year students’ business skills (networking, dining etiquette, self-branding, interview skills, etc.), connect first-years with both their peers and upper-year students, and develop practical workplace skills through mock case analyses and presentations.

The Mentorship Program will serve to bridge the gap between first-year and upper-year students by matching first-year mentees with upper-year mentors.

What did I do?

After being selected as chair of QUBE in my first year (a position normally co-chaired by two upper year students), I interviewed and hired eight other students. Because of the previous structure of the committee, seven of eight hired students were completely new to the committee’s work – the first large challenge with an entire summer apart approaching fast. I met with each of the three teams to establish goals, timelines and support mechanisms to ensure high quality work started and continued throughout the summer.

Managing from afar, I created strategic documents for each of the teams’ events and engaged directors in the planning process to ensure understanding and engagement. Still in the summer, events have not begun yet, but with strategic, preemptive planning and execution I have full confidence the QUBE 2012-2013 team will be able to exceed their goals for themselves and their portfolios.