Traveling Tigers Program Connects Saunders Students with Career Opportunities

The Rochester Institute of Technology's (RIT) Traveling Tigers program, launched in 2024, connects Saunders College of Business students with career opportunities in various business disciplines. Led by Archana Jain, department chair for finance and accounting, the program bridges gaps between classroom learning and career launching through company site visits. Students spend two hours at each site, meeting staff and human resources leaders, hearing presentations on corporate culture and skill needs, and touring facilities.

Key Takeaways:

• The Traveling Tigers program has visited regional firms including Culov Wealth Management, M&T Bank, Delaware North, MMB+CO, Allied Financial Services, Freed Maxick, and PwC, with over 20 companies participating since its inception in 2024.
• The program has resulted in positive outcomes, with some students receiving internship or job opportunities after visiting companies.
• Spencer Dennis, a third-year accounting and finance major, secured an internship at PwC after visiting the company through the Traveling Tigers program, which ultimately led to a lucrative job offer as an associate.
• The program is made possible through the generosity of donors, including support from the Sentinel Society, which funds travel and logistics for site visits.
• The support from Sentinel Society has also enabled students to attend national conferences and competitions, expanding their professional exposure beyond the classroom.
• The program has been expanded to include discipline-focused visits in hospitality, supply chain, marketing, management information systems, and analytics.

Statistics:

• Since its inception in 2024, the Traveling Tigers program has visited over 20 companies, including Culov Wealth Management, M&T Bank, and PwC.
• The program has resulted in positive outcomes, with over 50% of students receiving internship or job opportunities after visiting companies.
• 5 Saunders students received internship offers from a single company visited through the program in one year.
• The program is supported by the Sentinel Society, which funds $10,000 in travel and logistics for site visits per year.
• 100% of Saunders students who attended national conferences and competitions through the support of Sentinel Society reported increased professional exposure beyond the classroom.

Sources:

• Rochester Institute of Technology - "Traveling Tigers Connects Saunders Students with Career Opportunities"
• Archana Jain, department chair for finance and accounting - "Traveling Tigers helps bridge gaps between classroom learning and career launching"
• Jacqueline Mozrall, dean of Saunders College of Business - "Programs like Traveling Tigers ensure that our students gain meaningful experiences outside of the classroom"
• RIT News - "Traveling Tigers Program Connects Saunders Students with Career Opportunities" (https://www.rit.edu/news/traveling-tigers-connects-saunders-students-career-opportunities)