Introducing Kristy Cullivan, CM Career Services Specialist

It has been a pleasure meeting many of you during my first months at UMass; I am excited to be here as your CM Career Services Specialist. Having earned my MBA a few years ago and having been in the industry for several years, I understand the value (and pressure) of making career decisions and changes.

Please let me take this opportunity to congratulate you on seizing the initiative to move forward with your career. Earning an MBA will afford you many opportunities. I encourage you to take advantage of the CM Career Center for advice and resources for career planning. We can provide information on salary negotiation, resumes, cover letters, interviewing, job search strategies, and much more!

I can be reached at kristy.cullivan@umb.edu or 617-287-7761. I look forward to working with you!

Bookmark This Page for Spring Workshop Schedules

Registration Information

Registration began Monday, November 29th for the Spring 2005 semester; the complete schedule is available on the CM Web Site. You can register on-line, using your PIN number and the WISER system. Please remember that most elective classes have prerequisites. If you are entering your final semester, remember that you must register for MBAMGT 689, Strategic Management, the MBA capstone course—to register for this class, please e-mail us at mba@umb.edu.

I know that some of you will find classes you want to take offered on the same evening. One way to move ahead with your program while you wait for availability of a required course is to take advantage of interesting elective courses as they are offered—you do NOT need to complete your “core” courses before taking electives as long as you meet the prerequisites.

New Courses for Spring 2005

MBAMGT 697A Multinational Corporations in the Global Political Economy. This course will explore the evolving role of multinational corporations in the global political economy and the changing role of firms, the state, and civil society (mostly NGOs). We will examine the rise of MNCs and their contemporary dominance of international trade, production, and investment. We will explore corporate economic and political strategies in the face of shifting economic and political pressures. One focus will be the ongoing reconfiguration of global value chains, as MNCs try to implement ‘lean production’ systems at the same time they shift more activities to low-cost locations. We will examine the relationship between MNCs and institutions of global governance, such as the World Trade Organization and international environmental regimes, such as the Kyoto Protocol. We will also explore the growing movement for corporate social responsibility and transparency in response to social c! oncerns about the environment, sweatshops, financial improprieties, and human rights.

Click Here for the Course Syllabus

MBAMS 697A Supply Chain Management. This course will focus on one of the hottest topics in today’s business world—the streamlining of production and lowering of costs through the institution of operational efficiencies. In an increasingly competitive world, the knowledge of how to make a manufacturing or service organization “lean” can spell the difference between success and failure.

The Course Outline Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader

Degree Requirement: "Functional Areas"

I have received a number of questions about elective distribution requirements for the "functional areas." Let me clear this up so you can graduate on time, without difficulties.
To earn a UMass Boston MBA, whether or not you choose a specialization, you must take electives in four of the seven functional areas:
Accounting (ACC)
Communications (COM)
Finance (FIN)
Information Systems (MIS)
Management (MGT)
Marketing (MKT)
Operations Management (OPM)
Some of the specializations are inherently interdisciplinary and cover more than one functional area, giving you a head start on fulfilling this requirement. For example, if you specialize in International Management, you must take courses in Finance, Management and Marketing, so you only need to cover one additional functional area. If you specialize in Internet Marketing, you must take classes in the Marketing functional area but may also apply certain courses from Management and Management Information Systems to complete the specialization.

Check the Specialization Requirements Here

My first semester as Program Director has been a great (if occasionally bumpy!) ride. I look forward to continuing to work with you on everything from your own degree programs to the revitalization of the MBA Association.
Greg Trimble and I are in the office until at least 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Many of your questions can be handled by calling (617) 287-7720 or emailing mba@umb.edu. We look forward to being of assistance to you. My door is always open: I am happy to discuss your concerns, hear your feedback, and help ensure that your graduate education is fulfilling and rewarding.
Please accept my best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season for you, your families, and your friends!