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March 2012
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Featured News
The Entrepreneurial Side of Carlson Alumni
Kyle Meehan is a 2008 Carlson School graduate who has recently chosen the entrepreneurship path with PH Digital Labs, which was officially launched in late February of 2012. PH Digital Labs is an interactive marketing agency and digital strategy firm that builds deeper connections between brands and people online, from awareness to lead generation to revenue creation.
The biggest challenge Kyle has faced in his entrepreneurship journey is generating new business as well as finding the time to actually implement PH Digital Labs' own digital strategies that it preaches to clients (i.e. blogging, active social media engagement, etc.). The company's biggest accomplishment to date has been winning a handful of new businesses in the last month, in addition to multiple proposal requests.
When asked about his entrepreneurship path, Kyle simply stated: "It is in my DNA. It's who I am. It's what excites me and ignites my passion to create something from scratch. From the thrill of pitching new business, to managing client relationships, to creating camaraderie with employees, it's all a lot of fun; scary, exciting, and fun rolled into one big adventure."
We wish Kyle continued success in his entrepreneurial journey with PH Digital Labs. For more information on his company, please visit phdigitallabs.com.
Sarah Young is a 2010 Carlson School graduate who has also chosen the entrepreneurship road with Rock Your Block. Rock Your Block is a Facebook and mobile location-based application that provides an efficient way for teenagers to find neighborhood jobs, part-time work, and internship opportunities within their community. The application tailors a fun, easy-to-use, and safe interface for teens to build a dynamic virtual resume, browse, and apply to job listings in their network.
As teens gain work experience, their Rock Your Block resume grows, showing jobs completed achievements and certifications earned, and recommendations from employers. Game-play mechanics are also incorporated into the application – teens earn stars and can "level-up" in status by achieving different types of experience, completing specific activities, and referring their friends. Recommendation and referral features help teens learn the value of professionalism and reputation.
Rock Your Block's mission is to empower teens to learn invaluable life-skills and responsibilities by finding and gaining work experience within their local community. By utilizing Rock Your Block, teens learn the value of building and maintaining a personal brand and developing professional and leadership skills at an early age.
Rock Your Block was founded by Sarah in September 2010 during Startup Weekend. Why did Sarah choose the entrepreneurship road? During her senior year of college, she started attending a number of networking events in the Twin Cities, most of which ended up being technology and/or entrepreneur events. She quickly realized what a thriving and exciting startup community there is in Minneapolis and motivated herself to be a part of it in some way. The more people she met and more mentors she talked to, the more confident she became that she could come up with her own big idea and make it happen. Startup Weekend was the point where she got the guts to go for it and dive headfirst into entrepreneurship.
The entrepreneurship road has not been without challenges, however. Sarah and Rock Your Block has made significant traction in its ability to partner and work with a variety of local organizations that share similar missions and initiatives promoting entrepreneurship, community growth and engagement, leadership, and professional skills to teenagers and youth. Some of these organizations include YMCA Greater Twin Cities, St. Paul Youth Services, St. Paul Parks and Recreations, Minneapolis Public Schools, the library systems, and neighborhood associations. These partnerships are proving to be extremely vital in bringing awareness to users in concentrated areas, ensuring a good balance between job opportunities and teenagers.
Based on the success that Rock your Block has had to this point, there are sure to be many successes in Sarah's entrepreneurship road ahead!
Mentor and Student Mentee of the Year Announced
The Carlson School's Undergraduate Mentorship Program paired more than 300 students with a professional in the business community last year to provide them with an opportunity to develop their skills outside of the classroom.
A Look at the Carlson School's Education Abroad Requirement
What does it take to go from 50 percent study abroad participation to 100 percent (or nearly that)?
Carlson Events
Chicago Area Alumni Event - June 21
Meet Sri Zaheer, the new Dean of the Carlson School at this alumni event.
New York City Annual Summer Social - August 14
The New York City-area annual Summer Social is taking place at the Central Park Boathouse, E. 72nd Street and Park Drive N. Watch for more information.
Carlson School Day at the Races - August 17
Don't miss the 15th annual Carlson School Day at the Races at Canterbury Park in Shakopee.
GOLD on the Move
Justin Porter, '11 MBA, '05 BSB MIS and Entrepreneurial Studies & Genna Porter, '04 BS Education
On May 16, Justin and Genna welcomed their first baby into the world. Their daughter Gianna was born weighing 7 lbs., 14 oz. and was 21 and 1/4 inches long.
Justin is a Venture Center associate at the University of Minnesota and Genna is a realtor for Lakes Area Realty. They reside in South Minneapolis with their Papillion/Maltese, Panda.
Shanon Peloquin, '06 BSB Marketing
In May, Shannon graduated with her MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Prior to beginning her MBA program, Shannon was an engagement manager for McKinsey & Company, and also interned with New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority while completing her MBA.
She currently serves on the Undergraduate Advisory Board for the Carlson School and also has volunteered as a mentor for the past five years.
Tammy Canton, '06 BSB Business Administration and Management
In May, Tammy graduated with her MBA from the Harvard Business School. Prior to beginning her MBA program, she worked at General Mills as both a financial analyst and an assistant financial operations manager. While completing her MBA, she worked as a summer associate consultant at McKinsey & Company.
U of M News
Historic Groundbreaking Event Held at Siebert Field
It was an historic day for Golden Gopher baseball as the University of Minnesota Athletics Department held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 11 at Siebert Field.
More...
More U sports news can be found at gophersports.com.
Centennial Showboat Presents The Vampire!
The Minnesota Centennial Showboat is presenting the melodrama The Vampire! from now through August 15 at Harriet Island in St. Paul.
More U events are found on the U's event calendar.