Late Summer Study Tour: West Coast Immersion Experience

Note: This late summer study trip will be listed as a Fall course and will be offered with an HONR number. 

The study tour has described as a “phenomenal learning experience,” “lifetime experience,” and a “great networking opportunity.”  

The course provides insights into how companies have turned management strategies into sustained competitive advantages. This is achieved through an unprecedented opportunity to experience the innovation hotbeds the Pacific Northwest through insightful corporate and cultural visits. Past company visits have included Pixar, Nike, Facebook, FLEX, Electronic Arts Netflix, Amazon, Google, Boeing, Microsoft, Adidas,  and Starbucks. The reason for focusing on Pacific Northwest is that it is home to several major companies who use some of the most innovative management practices, particularly in supply chain management. More specifically, some companies in the region are deriving significant competitive advantage from their innovative management: Amazon through its unique distribution system, Boeing through lean operations and Just-in-Time concept, and Costco through its efficient logistics network. The experience provides students with unique insights regarding innovative management strategies

Students hear from the employees that are developing and executing innovative management strategies and tour the companies’ facilities. At each visit, students have extensive interactions with company representatives. These experiences provide differentiating traits that can be extremely useful when applying for internships or jobs throughout your college tenure.  Students have made contacts and gained information through the course that significantly facilitated their job development.

This course would include interactions with industry experts and activities that allow you to experience the unique geography, culture and outdoor activities.

What locations in the Pacific Northwest do we visit? 

The Pacific Northwest has been dominated by companies that are at the center innovation and entrepreneurship. The geography and climate of the region inspire innovation and disruption.

Specifically, the study tour locations include the Bay Area (Jan Jose, San Francisco, etc.), Oregon (Portland), Washington (Seattle), and Alaska.

Why should I attend? 

Students have described this experience as the following:

--"This trip allowed me to make connections with employees at top companies in a setting much more intimate and memorable than a large event such as a career fair. It also allowed me to see different majors in action rather than just learning about them thorough        a textbook."

--"This trip was without a doubt one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in my whole life. There are so many memories and stories that I can recount from the trip that will no doubt stick with me throughout my life."

--"More than anything else, it is the unforgettable stories and organic moments from this trip that I will forever hold in my head and heart, as I know I can use them in almost any setting possible."

--"Really enjoyed this class and I think I learned more on the trip than I could have learned in any classroom. Hearing from the alumni was a great opportunity because I was able to see what Maryland students had accomplished with their degrees. Overall I would         recommend any student I met to take this trip and experience this course."

--"What I learned on this trip could not have been replicated in a classroom setting. Visiting all the companies was a one-of-a-kind immersive learning experience. I have recommended this study trip to all my friends."

The best way to understand the course is to review past student assignments: 1) https://adamsr12.wixsite.com/westcoast-reflection; 2) https://ryandealwestcoastimmersion.weebly.com/, 3) https://domenicaavellanwestcoasttrip.weebly.com/; 4) https://westcoastinnovatio.weebly.com/

Furthermore, below are the top 5 reasons to attend.

1. Major Company Visits

The Pacific Northwest has a tendency to attract a wide variety of industry leaders. In order to gain insight into their success, the  course provides students with the ability to visit these companies and interact with the members. A prime example of this is the NIKE company visit, which includes a tour of the extensive Beaverton headquarters, as well as insight . Visits such as this one allow students to gain a better understanding of the science behind building a successful company culture. Furthermore, it helps students to gain a better understanding of their professional interests. Past company visits have included the following:

1) Nike: the world's largest supplier and manufacturer of athletic shoes and apparel;
2) Facebook: biggest social network on the planet;
3) Amazon: leading e-retailer in the United States and earth's most customer-centric company where people can find and discover virtually anything they want to buy online.
4) Netflix: world’s leading Internet television network with over 81 million members in over 190 countries
5) Google: world's most popular search engine and the most valuable brand;
6) Boeing: world's largest aerospace company and the leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined;
7) Electronic Arts: global leader in digital interactive entertainment;
8) Microsoft: largest provider of computer software and related services around the world;
9) Adidas: largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe and the second largest in the world;
10) Tesla: designer and manufacturer of the most advanced electric vehicles in the world;
11) Flextronics:  one of the world’s leading Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) providers with a network of facilities in 33 countries and over 230,000 employees.
12) Starbucks: world’s best-known coffee company.

The final list of companies for the 2018 study tour depend on interest and company availability.

2. Professional Connections

The experience  course provides students with the opportunity to interact with a variety of different industry experts, many of which are UMD alumni. In addition to hearing the story behind their career paths, students are able to develop real connections with these individuals. In many cases, the Pacific Northwest trip has facilitated student career development.

3. The Alaskan Experience

As one of the most recent additions to the U.S., Alaska serves as a perfect example of the cultural, geographic, and economic diversity that is present within the nation. In visiting this destination, the trip aims to expand student mindsets, as well as encourage them to ask more questions of the world. Alaska is home to some of the worlds most diverse and interesting wildlife, making it a prime spot for adventure and the exploration of the ecotourism industry.

4. Silicon Valley

The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the most innovative places in the world, the Silicon Valley. Through this course students will be given the opportunity to experience the unique culture of this region, as well as visit some of the major players in the area. Furthermore, this portion of the trip will allow students to compare the east and west coast cultures, as well as taste the famous In n Out Burger. 

5. National Landmarks

The experience provides students with the opportunity to visit some of the nations most famous landmarks. Past trips have included visits to the Golden Gate Bridge, Space Needle, Chihuly Glass Museum, and Fisherman's Wharf (San Francisco).

What are the logistics and costs associated with the study tour? 

The tentative start date would be August 13. The travel component will conclude August 22. This would be listed as a Fall 2018 course.  In addition to the meeting times during the trip, the course will meet for a specified number of hours during the Fall semester.

The program charge is estimated between $2,000-2200. The cost would depend on actual locations included, total length of program and activities included. The more locations and activities and a longer program would increase the cost. The program charge would include hotel accommodations (3-4 per room), fees for all academic site visits, field trips, and other program-sponsored excursions, transportation to all visits, one or two meals per day (lunches or dinner), and course reading materials. Airfare is not included and the estimated airfare is $700-750.

How do I learn more about participating? 

We have 4 remaining open.

If you are still interested in applying for the West Coast study tour please complete the following:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPxSgL0IthAmU64uujin3SNUzY2uheP1HYcLjSLAc5hAsmYQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Additionally, email your resume to westcoastumd2018@gmail.com with a copy to mwellman@rhsmith.umd.edu. The subject line should be West  

Coast  Applicant.