Signature Experiences

Two finance studnets work at the College of Business's Bloomberg terminal.

A team of students pose for a photo with Institute For Entrepreneurship staff after winning $3,000 for thier startup, Kasooli, at the 2025 Venture Rams Business Showcase.

Professor Mandy Sharpe and an accounting student help a community member prep their tac return during the College's annual free tax preparation event.

Memorable & Marketable Learning Experiences

Traditional instruction is an important part of earning a degree, but you remember the things you experience outside of the classroom the most. Your degree can get you in the door with employers, but your signature experiences — opportunities to apply your education to real-world issues and engage with industry professionals — build your network before you graduate and showcase your full potential and value.

The opportunity to take part in signature experiences is what make the best business schools elite, and it's our commitment to expanding educational opportunities with signature experiences that has earned the CSU College of Business recognition as a global leader in responsible business education.

A signature experience provides the opportunity to apply your skills firsthand and meaningfully connect with professionals. But what does one look like? Learn more about some of the many signature experiences students are taking part in at the CSU College of Business through the stories below. Want to find signature experience opportunities aligned with your academic or career goals? Current students should contact an academic advisor. Prospective students should reach out to an undergrad admissions counselor or a graduate admissions counselor.

MBA students and College of Business Staff pose for a picture at the UCLA Training Center in Los Angeles.

Take On Real-World Issues

College of Business faculty are renown for their impactful research, and many leverage this fresh knowledge to create innovative educational experiences. Some partnerships give students the opportunity to help companies create solutions for active global problems.

Two women at a table in a cafe examine a note.

Immerse Yourself in an Industry

Each year, the College offers several business immersion courses for MBA students. Taking part in these international and domestic trips helps you learn directly from influential professionals in high-profile companies across a variety of industries. Our students have gone to Peru, Panama, Los Angeles, Sweden and Denmark to engage with industry leaders.

Make a Local Impact

Students play a large role in the CSU College of Business support of local commerce. From developing marketing plans to shaping local events, students use what they've learned to collaborate with local companies to drive real growth.

Build Skills & Networks Through Competition

Case competitions are business problem-solving competitions judged by faculty and industry professionals. The CSU College of Business hosts numerous competitions throughout the year centered on specific themes and academic focuses.

Explore Our Case Competitions

Students Win Thousands Pitching Startups

Seven student teams put their entrepreneurial chops to the test at the 2025 Venture Rams Business Showcase to earn funding for startup businesses.

CSU College of Business alum Jordan Gaspard

WIBA Builds Friendships & Networks

The student-led Women In Business Association helps new Rams find belonging, engage with local business leaders and achieve success in case competitions.

CSU Hosts National Supply Chain Challenge

Operation Stimulus drew 16 teams from across the country to compete and network with industry professionals.

Alumni Experiences

“I think everyone should consider attending the international business experience trip. The opportunity significantly enhanced my MBA experience and made me a better person to boot. I am so grateful to CSU for coordinating such an amazing opportunity!”
Eddie Norgard
2023 Online MBA Alum

“My fellowship as part of the completion of the Impact MBA was the highlight of my graduate program experience. For 10 weeks, I worked as a data visualization intern for an architecture company called HKS. At the end of the fellowship, I felt that I had made a positive impact on the company and its commitment to sustainability.”
Rachel Salucci
2024 Impact MBA & Master of Finance Dual Degree Alum

“The CFA Research Institute Challenge I participated in during my time in the College of Business helped me develop valuable skills, such as building sophisticated financial models and communicating a story behind the financial statements while competing regionally with other contestants.”
Shawn David Sy
2023 Master of Finance Alum

Champion Sustainable Business Practices

Business For a Better World, the belief that business with a conscience changes the world for good, is a central tenet at the College, and we encourage students at all levels to actively explore what Business For a Better World can look like in their field through specialized classes and experiences.

Impact MBA fellow Ashton Caldwell works with her supervisor at Breckenridge Brewery to develop sustainability efforts.

Impact MBA Fellows Drive Corporate Change

Summer fellowships are a defining part of the College's Impact MBA program. Each student is paired with a company to work on a sustainability-related project and drive tangible improvement in business operations.

A College of business student and a professor discuss something while looking at a computer screen.

B4BW Fellows Support Faculty Research Projects

The Business For a Better World Fellowship program provides undergrad students the opportunity to work directly with the College's research faculty on business research projects, digging into research design and analysis together.

Members of the College's SUstainable Business Club pose for a phot during a day of fieldwork.

Sustainable Business Club Fosters Career Success

The College's sustainability-focused club supports student development of green business skills, including networking opportunities and sponsorship of professional certification exams.

Experience Business For a Better World

When you're celebrating a hard-earned degree or sharing your story in a job interview, you won't be talking about your coursework. Signature experiences are the highlights that will stay in your memories and stand out to employers.

No matter your degree level or career plans, there are countless experiential learning opportunities at the College to apply your knowledge, make a real difference in the world and showcase your best self. Connect with an advisor today to find signature experiences that support your personal and professional goals.

Prospective Undergrads - Connect With An Admissions Counselor Prospective Graduate Students