Building a Foundation for a Week of Success

The first full day of the International Leadership and Business Internship gave interns the opportunity to officially begin the consulting work that will define their week. By meeting the Nigerian entrepreneurs, they will be supporting and participating in professional development sessions, and students will lay the foundation for meaningful collaboration and impactful business solutions.

The day opened with a program overview presented by Program Director Zac Clark, who introduced the week's schedule, reviewed program expectations, and shared what interns could look forward to throughout the internship. Following his remarks, Umar Muhammad delivered an engaging presentation about Nigeria, providing insight into the country's culture, business environment, and entrepreneurial landscape. His session helped interns better understand the communities and businesses they will be working with during the program.

Following the presentations, interns met virtually with their assigned Nigerian business partners and project coordinators for the first time. These introductory conversations allowed teams to get acquainted while discussing each entrepreneur's business, background, and goals for the future. As interns listened to their partners' experiences, they gained valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges facing each business, helping them begin identifying areas where they can provide meaningful support.

Business owners also shared the stories behind the creation of their companies, the obstacles they have overcome, and the vision they have for continued growth. These conversations not only provided interns with valuable information for their consulting projects but also demonstrated the importance of collaboration, communication, and cross-cultural partnerships in creating sustainable business solutions.

Before breaking for lunch, interns participated in two professional development sessions that introduced key consulting concepts. Marc Zavarro presented Consulting Across Business Industries, explaining how consultants work with organizations across a wide range of industries to solve problems, improve performance, and develop strategic solutions. The morning concluded with Introduction to Branding, led by Carla Brooks, where students explored the principles of effective branding and learned how a strong brand identity helps businesses build recognition, connect with customers, and differentiate themselves in competitive markets.

By the end of the morning, interns had established the first connections with their Nigerian business partners while gaining valuable consulting knowledge that will guide their work throughout the remainder of the internship.