First Year Experience

The first-year experience (FYE) at Suffolk University's Sawyer Business School (SBS) includes two semesters of academic and extra-curricular programming that supports our learners' sense of security, belonging, and purpose.

During the first semester, learners will build community and confidence, while exploring and gaining foundational knowledge, in support of business concepts, problem-solving, career pathways, and major/minor connections. This exploration includes experiences in creative, strategic, career, and major/minor opportunities.

The experience continues into the second semester, where learners begin building a theoretical foundation to support future courses in the functional areas of business. Theoretical curriculum and activities focus on globalization, team building, the entrepreneurial mindset, communication in the workplace, and professionalism, all preparing a confident and aware learner.

The First Year Experience Philosophy

Our First-Year learners will develop confidence and connect to their futures by:

Engaging with University, local, national & global communities.

Acquiring knowledge, skills & abilities for career preparedness.

Expanding social & Professional networks.

Experiencing interests through problem solving in the real world.

Reflecting on the experience, as a young professional moving forward.

Exploring what's possible for careers in a dynamic, global economy.

Identifying academic programs best aligned with your experience and interests.

 

Through the eight points of the First Year Experience, learners can finish the rest of their academic careers with excellence while simultaneously being job ready.

 First-Year Curriculum Matrix

Outcome 

 SBS-100

SBS-101

Creativity & Innovation
Adapting to College X
Starting your career plan X    
Exploring your career pathways X X  
Identifying major/minor pathways X X  
Engaging with communities X X X
Building and expanding networks X X X
Solving problems   X X
Learning by experience X X X
Gaining business knowledge, skills, and abilities X X X
Using a creative process   X X

 

The curriculum matrix above shows how learners will complete all ten learning outcomes within their first semester. These outcomes provide a gateway for all other skills needed in university and career. Furthermore, no class covers just one part of the matrix, and the multitude of coverage that each outcome gets from multiple courses shows the deep understanding each learner will receive. 

SBS-100 Semester Timeline

SBS-100
Weeks 1-3
Visiting Suffolk in-the-Hub locations (Faneuil Hall, Fenway Park, Back Bay, and North End), attend and reflect on the Involvement Fair
Weeks 4-5
Research & reflect on the learning from failure and adapting to the experience, provide a status on getting involved in student organizations
Weeks 6-7
Understand your areas of interest and skill, review related results, and assess next steps
Week 8
Advising office meet and greet in class with overview, leading to next semester wish list.
Weeks 9-11
Continuing with career basics, building your brand, setting up LinkedIn, making connections, and fostering inclusion
Week 12
Develop your Career Map (will be modified over the next 3 years) to prepare for engagement with the Career Center

SBS 100 gives students the tools they need to make the most of their four years at Suffolk. The first half of the course shows learners what Suffolk has to offer, and then the second half takes a deep look at the dynamic career center that Suffolk offers.

SBS-101 Semester Timeline

SBS-101
Weeks 1-2
Understanding problem-solving techniques and various business models
Weeks 3-4
Finance roundtable discussion observing Boston-based companies, current events
Weeks 5-7
You and your team presents an assessment, analysis and action on whether the Walt Disney Company should follow activist shareholder advice
Week 8
Follow up to SBS-100 first-year academic advising, aligning with career interests and exploring majors and minors
Weeks 9-11
Marketing, leadership, and global business roundtable discussions observing Boston-based companies, current events
Weeks 12-14
You and your teams assesses, analyzes and acts on a company using the problem-solving model, with presentations to external alumni judges


SBS 101 allows for an authentic experiential learning experience on all business foundations. SBS 101 enables the learner to start with no business knowledge and then, during the 14 weeks, transforms the learner into being able to present a business case in front of real business executives.


Contact Us

Trainor Headshot 

Joanna Trainor

Instructor of Management & Entrepreneurship

Office Location: 73 Tremont Street, 7th Floor

Phone: 617-573-8335

Email Professor Trainor