Experiential Learning in Action: Whitman Students Gain Unmatched Access in Los Angeles and New York

In January, Whitman School of Management students stepped beyond the classroom and into two of the country’s most influential business hubs, gaining rare, behind-the-scenes access to industries shaping the global economy.

Through immersive experiences in Los Angeles and New York City, students engaged directly with executives, alumni and industry leaders, translating academic preparation into real-world insight. Together, the programs reflect Whitman’s evolving approach to experiential learning: one that prioritizes access, preparation and outcomes that change lives.

A West Coast Lens on the Business of Entertainment

Whitman’s inaugural Los Angeles Study Away course was designed to give students direct exposure to the business side of entertainment, from finance and marketing to talent management and operations across a $2.8 trillion global industry.

“The goal was to help students see how traditional business disciplines apply inside creative industries,” said Erin Draper, director of experiential programs at Whitman School. “We wanted them in boardrooms with executives, asking questions, making connections and understanding how real business decisions get made.”

Rather than focusing on creative work, students explored how deals are structured, projects are greenlit and talent is managed through visits to organizations including Disney Studios, NKSFB, APM Music and Universal Studios.

Throughout the week, students gained confidence and curiosity, asking sharper questions and engaging more naturally with executives as the program progressed. Draper noted that alumni and industry partners were generous with their time and deeply invested in helping students understand how to break into the entertainment industry.

Students during the visit to Disney Studios

One especially impactful moment came during a visit to Disney Studios, where students heard from a panel of executives representing business functions across the company, including Orange alumni Tom McDougall ’92, president of Walt Disney Music, and Seth Weinger ’97, senior vice president of content finance at The Walt Disney Studios.

“It was eye opening,” said student Anna Litteer. “Seeing such a huge organization come together and share a passion for learning that never quite goes away made me realize that we are all still people at the end of the day, no matter what point in your career you’re at.”

Draper emphasized that moments like these are central to the program’s purpose.

“When students realize executives are approachable and want to help, it changes how they show up in interviews, networking conversations and their careers,” she said.

Among the alumni and friends who helped make Whitman’s Los Angeles course a transformative experience were Sean Carey ’89, an entertainment industry veteran, investor and advisor who joined the class as a guest lecturer, and Mark Silah, a partner at NKSFB and parent of a current Whitman senior, who welcomed students to his firm, which provides business management, tax and audit services to artists and athletes.

An evening reception with more than 200 alumni, supporters and students from across several SU academic programs in L.A., further demonstrated the strength and reach of the Orange network on the West Coast.

Preparing Students to Perform in New York

In New York City, Whitman students participating in the Whitman on Wall Street and Marketing in Manhattan programs experienced the intensity and pace of two highly competitive industries, supported by intentional preparation and strong alumni engagement.

“The goal of our career exploration trips is to educate students on careers aligned with their majors while showcasing company culture and what it truly takes to succeed in those roles,” said Sara Garvey, director of employer relations. “It’s also about building strong alumni networks that can lead to placement and long-term professional connections.”

Of the 26 Whitman on Wall Street participants, 23 completed the Whitman Career Center’s inaugural 10-week Finance Career Accelerator Program during the fall semester, strengthening industry and financial markets knowledge ahead of live recruiting conversations.

Christine Waby, associate director of career advising and employer relations, said the difference was unmistakable.

“Engagement was at an all-time high,” Waby said. “Students asked thoughtful, well-researched questions, and we ran out of time for raised hands at most visits.”

Panel presenting during the Bank of America visit

Students visited a record 13 global financial institutions and engaged with more than 120 alumni and corporate partners across investment banking, sales and trading, equity research, asset management, wealth management and corporate finance. With recruitment for summer 2027 finance internships already underway, firms integrated informal networking into visits, giving students added visibility in an ultra-competitive hiring landscape.

Alumni feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

“Many alumni shared that this was one of the strongest groups they’ve hosted and expressed interest in welcoming Whitman students into future internship classes,” Waby said.

One standout moment occurred during a visit to Citi, where Global Economist Robert Sockin joined students to discuss economic trends and market forecasting. Students later continued conversations during open networking with professionals across multiple lines of the business.

Clarity Through Exploration

For students in the Marketing in Manhattan program, exploration offered a different but equally powerful form of clarity.

“The nature of a marketing degree opens doors to a wide and often overwhelming range of career paths,” said Ashlei Rivera, undergraduate career advisor. “Seeing the industry in Manhattan allows students to move beyond abstract concepts and understand how global brands, agencies and media organizations operate in real time.”

Students during their visit to NBC

Rivera noted that students were encouraged to explore beyond their initial interests, engaging with professionals across industries and job functions to better refine their career strategies.

“By broadening their reach, students gain clarity and build a diverse network that can support them long after the trip ends,” she said.

Across both New York programs, alumni and employer partners served as essential bridges, opening doors, sharing candid insight and transforming short-term experiences into long-term professional pipelines.

In addition to the two groups who took to the Big Apple to explore careers in finance and marketing, 154 other Whitman undergraduate and master’s students spent the week taking one of five intensive Janmester courses taught at the Syracuse University Lubin House and Fisher Center. Classroom instruction was infused with real-world perspectives shared by 61 alumni and friends who guest lectured or hosted the students for corporate site visits at leading banks and organizations like BlackRock and the National Basketball Association.

Alumni perspectives played a central role throughout the week. Brian Iglesias ’14 MBA, vice president of sports marketing at ESPN, spoke with students in the Tech-Powered Marketing for Innovators course about how classroom concepts translate to real-world business decisions. In the Entrepreneurial Deal-Making course, Mark Selden ’95, co-founder and managing partner of CrosStar Network Solutions, shared his guiding principles for choosing business partners and building enduring customer relationships.

Students in the Accounting Advisory course heard from Jennifer Kreischer ’88, a director at Kreischer Miller, who shared her experience in operational and financial due diligence. The Alternative Investments: A Practitioner’s Perspective course featured insights from 15 alumni and business executives, including Syracuse University Trustee Hal Fetner ’83, president and CEO of Fetner Properties.

In the Case Studies in Real Estate class, students examined real-world scenarios and learned about industry trends from professionals such as Neal Casey ’12, managing director and head of originations at UBS.

Building Momentum for What’s Next

The success of these January experiences reflects Whitman’s intentional investment in experiential learning as part of Transformation 2030. Study away programs and career exploration trips provide flexible, high-impact opportunities for students who may not be able to commit to a full semester away but still seek immersive exposure to new markets and industries.

“Not every student can study abroad for a full term,” Draper said. “This model delivers the exposure, engagement and learning outcomes we care about while meeting students where they are.”

As alumni engagement deepens and employer partnerships expand, the long-term impact becomes even clearer.

“The more success we see on these trips, the easier it is to deepen relationships with our alumni and partners,” Garvey said. “That momentum creates future opportunity for our students and for Whitman as a whole.”

As Whitman continues to build a scalable portfolio of immersive experiences, the goal remains clear: ensure every student has access to at least one career-shaping experiential opportunity before graduation.

For students, the message is simple. Experiential learning at Whitman is not supplemental, it is foundational.