Frequently Asked Questions
If the below does not address your questions / concerns, please e-mail us at bootcamp@northwestern.edu
Q: Is the Boot Camp restricted to certain school, majors, years? Do I have to pursue the Business Institutions minor in order to participate?
A: There are no restrictions on which Northwestern undergraduates can participate in the Boot Camp. Every year, we have students from Weinberg, McCormick, SESP, Communications, and Medill. We do target Sophomores, as they are at the critical stage of determining what path to pursue and how to best prepare before they face the challenges of internship interviews. However, we usually have a mix that spans from Freshmen to even a few Seniors. Students do not need to be formally involved with the Kapnick Center for Business Institutions in order to participate in the Boot Camp.
Q: What if I am unsure of my interest in business?
A: Great – that is the point. We want to help you figure this out, and if you do find a path in business, empower you to be successful. There are other programs you can pursue once you “know” what you want to do, but this is the perfect launching pad for you. We have had many former business graduates think one path was right, only to discover another was in fact the better fit.
Q: Who are the alumni volunteers?
A: The alums who are playing the roles during the Saturday session are senior executives and professionals with real world experience in their fields. The alumni panel is a mix of MBAs, entrepreneurs, owners/operators, investors, consultants, and bankers from different career stages.
Q: I don’t think I want to be a consultant or an investment banker, so should I still attend?
A: Whether you want to be an entrepreneur, work for a start-up, work in professional services or take on an opportunity at an established company as an operator, we believe a fundamental understanding of accounting, finance, and strategy are imperative. The topics covered in the Boot Camp will better prepare you if you ever want to start a business or make an investment, and it will help you put any career path into the context of what matters to managers and shareholders. We can’t possibly cover every aspect of business or every career path in 6 hours, but we can provide a foundation to help you discover and evaluate different options in business and how to learn more.
Q: Why do I have to pay $20 for this?
A: Apart from the fact that net proceeds are going to a great cause in Dance Marathon, we instituted this as a way to make sure students have enough ‘skin in the game’ to follow through with their commitments. At the same time, relative to other ‘for profit programs’ we believe this is a modest request. We welcome all students to participate. If the fee may prevent you from participating, please contact Patty Fitzgibbons at fitzgibbons@northwestern.edu to see how we can help defray the cost.
