Chair of the Business Administration Division Jere Yates leaned forward in his chair as his voice rose half an octave.
Despite overtly positive feedback from previous years of the annual Career Planning Boot Camp, the event was unable to attract more than 30 students on the weekend of Oct. 26.
“We’ve had a problem, and we can’t figure it out,” Yates said. “We advertise it big time, and we have to pull teeth to get 30 students to sign up. It doesn’t cost them a nickel.
“And here’s the frustrating thing,” Yates said. “We’re trying to cater to our own division . . . They’re not willing to give a Friday night and a Saturday for their career.”
Hosted by the business division’s advisory council, the boot camp invites people from across the country to participate.
“I didn’t want to embarrass my advisory council,” Yates said. “Some guys flew in from Rhode Island, New York and Chicago. And we can’t even get 30 students?”
According to Yates, the boot camp included one-on-one sessions on how to improve resumes, a cocktail party that taught how to “chitchat and schmooze” clients, and several guest speakers.
“We put a lot of work into it,” Yates said. “I’ve done workshops with Hughes Aircraft and major companies over the years. We did a first-class job with this. We think this one is a very serious commitment of time and energy and resources. We think it’s highly valuable.”
According to Yates, the boot camp is highly acclaimed every year, but participation numbers remain low.
Senior and business major Haley Scott said the event was both enlightening and motivating.
“As a senior, it was my first year going,” Scott said. “I wish that I had known what it was about when I was younger. It was really helpful. It’s a really rare opportunity to meet so many successful businessmen. What I liked about it was that it gave a unique view of the business world.”
Junior and business administration major Max Makui agrees.
“The business boot camp really taught me that you can do whatever you want as long as you work hard and work smart,” Makui said.
“You don’t have to be a Mark Zuckerberg to make a million dollars.”
“It’s everything students need to know now,” Makui said.
Hilary Squire is an administrative assistant for the division who attended the boot camp.
“This year’s Career Planning Boot Camp was amazing,” Squire said. “I am grateful to have been a part of it — such an incredible mix of students and mentors. I think we all walked away feeling motivated to do more and be more.”
Yates said he thought students enjoyed themselves over the weekend.
“I’m sure the feedback, which we’re about to do formally, will be as positive as it was the past two years,” Yates said. “Students didn’t want to leave Saturday — they hung around. All the feedback was upbeat.”
Yates said he remains confused as to why there is so little student participation for the event.
“I’ve been around this place 44 years,” Yates said. “I just don’t get it.”
