MBA Real-Life Learning | UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

Find What's Right for You

Real-life learning matters. Find the experiential learning opportunities at UNC Kenan-Flagler that match your interests below.

Are you interested in client-facing interactions while you are in school? Do you want to gain experience managing and leading team of your peers?

Consider STAR: UNC Kenan-Flagler’s Student Teams Achieving Results program, or STAR, is a hands-on learning program in which students learn by doing as they take on the role of consultants to real companies. STAR sends teams of top MBAs and Undergraduates to build comprehensive and actionable strategies for corporations and not-for-profit organizations seeking to strengthen their competitiveness. All teams are guided by both a faculty advisor with significant business consulting/corporate experience and an executive from the client organization.

Would you like to work in teams of peers from around the world to solve real, current business challenges? Do you want to gain new cultural competencies that prepare you for cross-cultural business and career opportunities?

Consider STAR Global: STAR Global is a unique action-based learning course for MBAs where MBAs from multiple business, cultural, and university environments work with corporate executives to solve a business challenge. The teams work virtually first in the US, and then on the ground in Brazil, China or India. They create actionable recommendations delivered in professional presentations.

Do you want to manage real investment dollars while you are in school? Are you interested in getting hands-on experience with Wall Street tools like Bloomberg Professional and Factset?

Consider the Alternative Investment Education Program: The Alternative Investment Education Program at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School consists of seven student-run funds that manage more than $13 million. Each Fund has a distinct alternative investment strategy that provides students with opportunities for invaluable hands-on asset management experience in their respective ﬁelds. What distinguishes the Alternative Investment Education program from other educational opportunities is the access it provides students to all aspects of the fund management and investment analysis.

Do you want to learn to manage conflict and get feedback on your leadership style and performance?

Consider Business Simulations: Our Business Simulations provide you with a type of interactive training and feedback often limited to managers in many corporate organizations. In various roles, you have the opportunity to demonstrate your leadership ability to your staff, team, or organization. You will receive personal feedback on your performance, and very specific guidance on how to handle similar situations in the future.

Do you already have a business plan or an idea for a business you want to launch in business school? Or are you looking for MBA teammates to be part of a new business idea?

Do you want exposure to the entire venture capital process? Do you want experience competing against other schools in a venture capital competition?

Consider the Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC): Created at UNC Kenan-Flagler the Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) simulates the entire venture capital investment process in an extremely condensed time period, providing MBA students with a unique first-hand glimpse into the world of venture capital. Real entrepreneurs pitch to MBA student teams. Over 50 schools participate in a series of 40 events on three continents.

Do you want experience on a nonprofit board? Are you interested in gaining the leadership skills necessary to run a nonprofit?

Consider Nonprofit Board Consultants: The UNC Kenan-Flagler Nonprofit Board Consultants program offers two opportunities for students to gain hard skills in and exposure to working within the nonprofit sector. The Nonprofit Board Fellows Program places UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA students on Nonprofit Boards of Directors as non-voting board members for six months. Our MBA Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program is a campus-wide interdisciplinary graduate certificate program, and prepares students for leadership roles in the rapidly expanding nonprofit sector.

See All We Have to Offer

Check out our website to see the full range of real-life learning opportunities available to you at UNC Kenan-Flagler.