Student Spotlights

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Accelerator 2008

CoCo Chalfant
Vanderbilt University, Biomedical Engineering Major

“During Accelerator, I gained unparalleled business skills, invaluable real-world knowledge and incredible friendships. Simply put, attending this program has been a priceless experience.”

Marc Levit
Vanderbilt University, Economics Major

“Accelerator has fundamentally changed the way I view and approach life. This program provided me with a stronger business confidence, made me a stronger person and allowed me to do more than I ever imagined.”

Paige Parkey
Harding University, English Language and Literature Major

“Accelerator took the word “business” and gave it a definition. I gained a deep understanding of the fundamentals of business, developed important leadership skills and even had the privilege of presenting to top executives of American Airlines in Dallas. Most importantly, I gained the confidence, skills and relationships that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Wyatt Smith
Vanderbilt University, Economics Major

“Accelerator significantly bolstered the quality of my undergraduate experience through its unparalleled combination of MBA-level classroom instruction and real-world application of business concepts. The number of professional contacts I gained by participating in the program further strengthened the quality of this investment.”

Accelerator 2007

Cory Carpenter
Vanderbilt University, Economics Major

“Accelerator gave me an unparalleled opportunity to get a jump start in my career. The knowledge and skills learned in the program will stay with me for the rest of my life. I look back and believe that it was the best decision I have made thus far in my professional career. The friendships made and skills learned are priceless.”

Lauren Dornfeld
Vanderbilt University, History and Spanish Major

"What I've gained from the Accelerator program is the ability to be given business challenges and really look at them strategically, analyze the situation and make sound judgement decisions. The program provided me with different perspectives on various businesses and industries, which will really help my career in the long run."

Raymond A. McGill, Jr.
Cornell University, Information Science Major

“Accelerator helped me increase my business acumen by gaining a critical understanding of the fundamentals of business while developing relationships with other participants and faculty that augmented my learning experience.”

Alex Nordholm
Vanderbilt University, Political Science and Sociology Major

"Accelerator provided a wonderful foundation for me to approach a broad range of different careers. I felt prepared to interview for, and succeed in, a job in advertising, marketing, finance or consulting. I have no doubt that my post college search would have proven significantly more difficult if not for Accelerator."

Spencer Patton
Vanderbilt University, Economics and Psychology Major

“Accelerator provides students with a taste of what the real business world is like. The program presented me with the opportunity to work with real companies with real problems and to be able to give them accurate and comprehensive solutions.”

Michael Puchon
University of Pennsylvania, Economics Major

"Accelerator boats such a diverse group of people. It's really been great to see everyone's strengths and weaknesses and to be able to rely on various skills to create the best outcome possible with our projects."

Adrian Reif
Vanderbilt University, Psychology Major

"The valuable hands-on project experience that you gain as part of Accelerator as well as various leadership skills that you develop is immeasurable."

Mallory Shafer
Vanderbilt University, Economics Major

"From participating in the Accelerator program, I expected to simply add something to my resume, but what I got from participating in the program was greatly superior. I learned that I am capable of much more than I had originally thought. I now have complete confidence in myself to leave my comfort zone in college and start a career in almost any industry."

Accelerator 2006

Meena Putatunda
Vanderbilt University, Biomedical Engineering Major
Vanderbilt MBA 2008

“Accelerator was such an incredible experience for me because I was exposed to all facets of business and met lots of talented people. The program provided a great balance of classroom learning and real-world experience. It was a great jump-start to my business career and provided me with a taste of my next two years at Owen as a graduate student.”

Meg Savage
Vanderbilt University, Human and Organizational Development Major
Human Capital Analyst, Deloitte Consulting

“The Accelerator program really helped me stand out during my interviews with Deloitte because I had relevant consulting experience to talk about. Many college students can't say they've worked closely with executives at a Fortune 500 company to help design a strategic campaign or help solve a real business issue. Accelerator students can.”

Robert Turton
Vanderbilt University, Chemical Engineering Major
Vanderbilt MS Finance 2008

“Accelerator gave me exposure to the incredible faculty at Owen, to current business leaders in a variety of industries and to the overall business environment of our economy. With this experience I was able to find an internship in the field I am interested in and ultimately it opened up the doors of Owen to me as a full time student in the MS Finance program. Accelerator was, without a doubt, an invaluable part of my education.”

Accelerator 2005

Michelle Thomas
Vanderbilt University, Mechanical Engineering and Management of Technology Major
Associate Consultant, Bain & Company

“The only requirement when you join Accelerator is that you give it all the effort you’ve got. You will be even more willing to do so when you see that the faculty and staff are investing more than you are.”