Engage Students
The Carlson School offers many ways for employers to engage with our talented students including, volunteering as a speaker, hosting a corporate visit, connecting with our student organizations, or sponsoring an Undergraduate or Graduate event.
Professionals from all industries are valuable resources to students. Consider offering your unique professional insight by becoming a speaker in a class or a mentor to a student.
Host students at your company to give them a unique perspective of your industry—and interact with prospective future employees.
With more than fifty undergraduate and graduate student organizations, your company can engage with students by providing speakers for club meetings and sponsoring club events. To find a student organization matching your expertise or interest.
By partnering with the Carlson School, top organizations build their brand on campus, gain access to top students, and further Carlson’s ability to attract the best faculty and brightest students.
Sponsor Undergraduate or Graduate Programs and Events
The Carlson School hosts a number of programs and events for undergraduate and graduate students throughout the school year. These enrich the student experience by developing student skills in leadership, global understanding, experiential learning, social philanthropy, and entrepreneurship.
Career Week
Career Week is offered annually in the weeks prior to our fall career fair. Programs are offered throughout the week that provides our students with resources focused on their resumes, networking, and interview preparation.
Learn more about Career Week
Business Week
Business Week is a one-week celebration of the Carlson School and its community. This student-coordinated event connects students, faculty, and business professionals in a collaborative effort to celebrate past accomplishments, realize current successes and pursue future endeavors.
Learn more about Business Week
Minnesota Cup
MN Cup is a community-led, public-private partnership that brings together corporations, VCs, foundations, government and skilled volunteers to support Minnesota’s entrepreneurs. The competition inspires entrepreneurs to begin their startup journey, supports them as they develop a solid business plan, provides exposure for their ideas and offers numerous opportunities to expand their networks.
Learn more about the MN Cup
Women Entrepreneurs (WE*)
Organized by the Holmes Center and led by a committed group of women entrepreneurs and investors, WE* is focused on supporting scalable, women-led startups in Minnesota through a series of conferences and events.
Learn more about WE*
Carlson Women's Initiative
The Carlson School is committed to helping advance women in the business community. The three-pillar strategy that is the foundation of the Carlson School Women’s Initiative are Access, Empowerment, and Progression.
Learn more at the Carlson Women's Initiative
Military Veteran's Initiative
Since 1869 we have grown our military community, especially within graduate programs at the Carlson School. We’re proud to have strong representation, resources, and career outcomes for those who have served our nation.
Learn more about the Carlson School Military Veteran's Initiative
Business Innovation Academy
Business Innovation Academy is a two-week, interactive, and hands-on summer program for rising 7th- and 8th-graders.
Learn more about the Business Innovation Academy
Analytics U
Analytics U at the Carlson School of Management is a free week-long pathway program for underrepresented high school students, introducing them to how data science can play a critical role in solving real world problems that impact our everyday lives.
Emerging Leaders of Color
Emerging Leaders of Color (ELOC) is a free 8-month pathway program for underrepresented high school students, introducing them to business classes, faculty, and career options, professional development, networking with the corporate community, mentorship from current Carlson School students, and college preparation activities.
Learn more about Emerging Leaders of Color
Thrive
Select incoming students are invited to join the THRIVE cohort, in which they take Carlson courses, participate in community building and leadership retreats together, and are provided peer mentorship.
DEI Center
More information coming soon.
LGBTQ Community at Carlson
In addition to those offered by the University, Carlson is home to a number of different resources and staff members focused on diversity and inclusion, LGBTQ community building, and events focused on positive, open conversations.
There are a number of student and family events throughout the year to be involved with including:
- Undergraduate Welcome Week
- Undergraduate Graduation Celebration
- MBA Orientation
- MBA Reunion
- Farewelcome
- Homecoming
Company-sponsored case competitions provide real-world experience for Carlson School students. Depending on the competition you'd like to sponsor, there are various levels of sponsor benefits for your organization:
- Undergraduate Case Competition
- Undergraduate MIS Case Competition
- Undergraduate Supply Chain & Operations Case Competition
- MBA Elite 8 Brand Management Case Competition
- International HR Case Competition
The Carlson Global Institute arranges study abroad opportunities for Carlson School students, including opportunities for working on live projects for companies exploring opportunities abroad. Your organization can help develop future global leaders by sponsoring a Global Business Practicum project and at the same time gain a fresh perspective on your global business issue.
The Carlson School hosts a number of public events, including the Women's Leadership Conference, Minnesota Cup entrepreneur competition, Way We Work, MBA Reunion, and HR Tomorrow Conference. These events bring together a large number of professionals from across the state and nation, and each event provides a number of sponsorship opportunities.
Contact Us
If you’re not sure where to start, utilize our Corporate & Foundation Relations team as your first connection.
Contact: Tonia Weber at tweber@umn.edu or (612) 625-5385