More than book smarts: USC students take business skills to African entrepreneurs

Last year nine USC students traveled to the east coast of Africa to demonstrate how their writing abilities could help small businesses and nonprofits  -

• a medical school with a one-room library that provides health care for local residents every week

• a business plan to obtain computers and provide training for people who care for AIDS orphans

• a business plan to create mosquito nets that prevent malaria for a sewing cooperative

• a grant proposal to partner with a not-for-profit agency in the production of a juice drink.

Just imagine the impact.

“For the first time, I realized you don’t have to come with a big checkbook or a box of goods,” said junior Hillary Buckner, 19, a business administration major. “But come with the idea of bringing your experience back home so you can spread awareness.”

“I see learning as most beneficial when we can dive in and experience [it] firsthand,” Buckner said. “You truly learn more.”

For a decade now, USC Marshall Schol of Business Professor Sandra Chrystal has taken her students in Advanced Writing for Business out of the classroom and into the neighborhood to help nonprofits and small businesses as part of the USC Community Based
Learning Collaborative
.

That’s where USC Civic and Community Relations introduced her to Malena Ruth, president of the African Millennium Foundation.

Ruth suggested Chrystal take her class to Africa to see how the students’ skills could benefit real businesses - and real people - half a world away.

Students in future writing classes will be asked to consider following up on these projects.

“It’s just amazing,” Ruth said. “Any person in the developed world can be of service. They may seem like small things. But mosquito nets? That thrills me. Almost 3,000 a day die because there are no nets.

"I do know that I, along with my classmates, have made a difference," said 21-year-old Einy Paul, a senior business major from Norway. “But because we have shown that it is possible to use our business knowledge
to offer help to others.”


Views: 39

Reply to This

University Park Family is the news and social network for the neighborhoods around USC and Expo Park. Stay informed. Join now!

       • Got news you think everyone should know? Blog it.

• Have a show or attending a benefit? Put it on the calendar.
• Got video of the big game? Embed it.
• Photos of your business or the school play? Upload them.

Latest Activity

billy jones bluez posted a video

.✨.♪♫•*¨*•. Cover Me ..♪♫•*¨*•. . ~ the Delta Blues Outlaws

.✨.♪♫•*¨*•. .Cover Me ..♪♫•*¨*•. . the Delta Blues Outlaws https://youtu.be/liApP5LlKqE.✨.♪♫•*¨*•. .The Love Doctor ..♪♫•*¨*•. . ...
Feb 28
billy jones bluez updated their profile
Feb 28
billy jones bluez posted a blog post
Feb 18
Lucy Pollak posted an event
Thumbnail

64th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration at The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

December 24, 2023 from 3pm to 6pm
The two-time Emmy Award-winning L.A. County Holiday Celebration joyously returns to The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to celebrate its 64th anniversary with a free, live, in-person holiday spectacular. The annual event will feature 23 music ensembles, choirs and dance companies from the many neighborhoods and cultures of L.A. County. Entrance to the in-person event is free, with seating available on a first-come, first-seated basis. Parking is free in The Music Center parking garage.…See More
Dec 6, 2023
Lucy Pollak updated their profile
Dec 6, 2023
billy jones bluez posted a blog post

Man & A Half ~ the Delta Blues Outlaws

Man & A Half ~ the Delta Blues OutlawsSee More
Dec 2, 2023
Lucy Pollak posted an event
Thumbnail

CicLAvia – South LA at South LA

December 3, 2023 from 9am to 3pm
On Sunday, December 3; between 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., celebrating its 13th year of catalyzing vibrant public spaces, active transportation and good health through car-free streets, CicLAvia – South LA, presented by Metro, welcomes everyone of all ages and abilities to its 49th car-free open streets event connecting Leimert Park and Historic South Central so participants can jog, ride, bike, skate, run, walk, skateboard, spectate, play, and enjoy the 6-mile route. Always free, CicLAvia participants…See More
Nov 13, 2023
Jo- Koo of DojO- posted a photo
Sep 23, 2023

Members

© 2024   Created by University Park Family.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service