ULM students interacted with and learned from successful figures in the business and economic industry during the annual Business and Social Sciences Symposium. 

The main theme was thinking outside of the usual stigma surrounding the marketable business industry. 

The inaugural night of the two-day symposium commenced with a reception for all incoming freshmen. 

Students attended various guest lectures.

Rayford Westmoreland was anxious to use the symposium for the intended networking purposes. 

“It’ll help just because it will put you in contact with people and the more people you’re in contact with can’t do anything but help you,” said Westmoreland, a freshman construction management major.

Seth Hall, operations manager of the College of Business and Social Sciences was pleased that the students got to interact with alumni on the “First Job Panel.” 

“I’ve been affiliated with the College of Business for seven or eight years now as a student and as a staff member and the symposium is just awesome,” Hall said.

One event was aptly titled “Think Like a Freak” in reference to the three-time co-author and former New York Times journalist Stephen Dubner. 

The symposium closed out with the highly anticipated Q&A with Dubner followed by his lesson on how to fully “Think Like a Freak.”

Cody Parker, a business administration graduate student, attended the symposium for a fourth year.

“The business symposium is an outstanding testament to ULM’s goals,” Parker said.

Parker noted the networking opportunities with people such as Dubner, with whom he briefly spoke.

“Little moments like that are the cornerstones of our perception. They shape us. Never waste a opportunity,” Parker said. 

Parker called this combined with professors’ offers for bonus points for attendance a “pretty sweet deal.”