Nurturing Future Business Leaders With Practical Teaching Approach

Entrepreneurship in India has evolved over the years. This can be largely attributed to the exceptional young talent within the country. However, these aspiring entrepreneurs often lack the necessary education to effectively navigate their ambitions. BW Education interacted with two exceptional leaders from the business school, to understand how to address this gap.

Geoffrey Garrett, PhD Robert R Dockson Dean’s Chair in Business Administration, told BW Businessworld the University of Southern California (USC) has successfully positioned itself as a flourishing ecosystem, providing extensive support to students globally. Moreover, it plays a significant role in nurturing Indian talent, aiding them in their journey towards achieving success as influential business leaders.

Garrett emphasised that ‘entrepreneurialism is in the DNA of the USC’ and the university has always taken great pride in its capacity to nurture and develop outstanding entrepreneurs. He stressed one of the most distinguished alumni from USC University is Marc Russell Benioff, founder of the software company Salesforce.

It is commonly observed that business school graduates are deemed equipped for higher industry standards in comparison to graduates from other universities, which can be a source of concern for students. Addressing this issue, Nick Vyas, PhD Founding Executive Director, USC Marshall Randall R Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute, said, “We prioritise practical industry training, providing students with the opportunity to explore the core business aspects before entering the workforce, ensuring they are well-prepared to join any company or start a business.”

Furthermore, Garrett added USC school's teaching methods go beyond the conventional teaching practices and are characterised by an experimental approach.  

In the initial year, USC provides its students with practical experience, a practice uncommon in other universities. “Our 18-year-old first-year students are sent to Bangkok or Vietnam, enabling them to gain international exposure,” Garrett informed.

He urged students to broaden their horizons and explore their learnings at an international level. “I am an Australian but choose to complete my degree in the US which completely changed my life,” Garrett concluded.