The Unique Nature of a Nonprofit Organization with a Product

My externship with Judy Phair, the Vice President of Communications, at the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), began on Thursday, October 15th. Upon my arrival, I was given an itinerary of the meetings and events Judy had scheduled for me that day. Judy explained her intention of demonstrating to me how the communications department at a very corporate-style, yet nonprofit organization, operates, through introducing me to and arranging meetings with key members.

The first meeting on my schedule was a general orientation to the communications department at GMAC. Members of the communications department, Sonya Moore, Bob Ludwig, Ethan Cebulash, and Tracy Briggs all sat down with me to explain their responsibilities and contributions to the department based on their unique talents and experience. Prior to their individual explanations, Judy provided me with a general overview of the unique nature of GMAC as a non-profit organization albeit with a product, the GMAT exam, and more generally, the challenges of working in the testing industry. With that in context, she then explained the role the communications department has played in GMAC and how that role has evolved over time.

Ethan is the web and graphic design specialist who joined the council in 2007. He spoke at length about the web’s contribution to marketing. A couple of years ago they made the website more of a priority. Their goal was to improve the design. Judy explained that the previous website, gmac.com, was really outdated and that the new web site, mba.com is specifically aimed at students.

Bob is the head of media relations and has work for GMAC for five and a half years. One key point that he made was that the organization is much more internationally focused now than ever before, as the push to increase visibility outside of the United States becomes more urgent. The media of course, is a perfect way to do this as it is a source for news organizations to put MBA students in context. In terms of current global trends in students going back to business school, recruiters are gauging how likely this is to happen, and are analyzing general trends in business education while being proactive in pitching media. He informed me that since Judy joined the department a few years ago, she has really spearheaded relations with the media overseas, especially with Asia and India.

Cultural differences need to be considered as the organization expands globally and I learned some interesting and pertinent data collected about trends in India and China. Whereas before, Indians would seeker a higher level education overseas they are increasingly returning to India to receive this education. Additionally, after completing their studies there are jobs awaiting them in their home country. One poignant example of cultural differences affecting the way the GMAT needs to be marketed, concerned Chinese students. When marketing the exam to Chinese students, members of the communications department needed to be cautious of clarifying rules regarding cheating. In China, it is more common for students to pass on answers to their friends, and occurrences in which test-takers will take the exam solely for the purpose of recording questions and sometimes even posting them online, is all too prevalent.

I then attended a Research Exchange event with Judy in which members of other departments were present. The research presented was about the 2009 application trends survey results. The information was a bit over my head as it was a very specific topic and many business terms were used. Much to my relief, Judy explained to me after the presentation, that even she had trouble following all the technicalities. Following that, I sat down with three more members of the communications department, Sam Silverstein, Carole Mahoney, and again, Tracy Briggs.

Tracy Briggs provides a valuable service to the communications department. Three times a week, she puts together an e-mail containing news articles relevant to GMAC and intended to give employees a sense of the current events in the industry. This service is critical to keeping them informed without their having to spend too much time researching themselves. Judy added that the president especially values these news clippings.

I am looking forward to meeting with Judy twice more and will update the blog as those meetings materialize.

~Ilana

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database: That's No Childish Database

Have you ever wondered how those databases at our UMD library’s Research Port work? Among databases, Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD) is a role model.

CLCD is a rapidly-growing, indispensable resource for many librarians, editors, publishers, media specialists, professors, and students. Its database includes over two million MARC records. Records for books include the standard reference data as well as numerous reading levels (e.g. lexiles), awards that books have won, and reading lists. What's more, many entries feature book reviews that, for example, let teachers see what others think about a book before having students read it. To top it off, CLCD provides a free newsletter with notable developments in children’s literature, and a booking service to connect famous children’s literature figures with schools and other organizations. They do it all very well; with good reason, this October the School Library Journal wrote "CLCD deserves a solid A."

As a business major, I was especially interested in the inner workings of such a venture. Particularly, how could one approach the apparently astronomical task of setting up, maintaining, and expanding such a database? What sort of unexpected logistics issues would they need to surmount? How do they promote their product?

In my externship at CLCD, CLCD masterminds privileged me with such inside information, letting me learn from a number of their key figures. What I learned was eye-opening. I will mention a few salient points of my experiences.

The database is in a small-business format. Such a database need not be run by a multitude—thankfully. The lean nature of their business makes it far more flexible than a large corporation. If a change needs to be made in the website, it can be done without any bureaucratic hassle. Marilyn Courtot, the president of CLCD, showed me her approach to leading this kind of business. Their bookkeeper gave me flashbacks to my accounting courses as she guided me through their process of managing their incoming and outgoing funds.

Online marketing for CLCD has been rapidly expanding in the last few months. They recently began a Twitter page as well as a blog. Both are followed by librarians, teachers, and others who want to keep tabs on the children’s literature world. These, added to the wealth of free, regularly updated information in their website and newsletters periodically sent to customers and other interested parties, comprise a wholesome recipe for communications success.

While it is a small business in one sense, it is a large business in another. Particularly, the information processing spans numerous states. Some information is prepared in Maryland, and after being sent around to certain specialists in Michigan, Virginia, and New Jersey, the information is added to the database. The national network of professionals managing the data entry was fascinating to encounter.

Lastly, I was also able to contribute my own personal services and recommendations for promotion, their website, and marketing of certain services. For the purposes of this entry, however, they must be kept confidential. I am glad to be able to leave a mark on CLCD during the short time of my service there, and I look forward to being able to serve it in the future.

Indeed, the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database is no childish database. Overall, I am very grateful to Mrs. Courtot and the University of Maryland for the opportunity to participate in this externship and learn how such a superb service is provided and promoted. The contacts made and lessons learned I hope to take far into the future.

~Marc McCarthy

My Externship with Gary W. Lonergan

My name is Dora Larson. I am a senior English, art history and French major, and have applied to law school for the fall of 2010. I completed my externship with Gary W. Lonergan, a lawyer in Alexandria,Virginia.


October 16, 2009

I spent my first day with Mr. Lonergan in his office in Alexandria, Virginia. Mr. Lonergan has his own private practice; his work includes business law, small business law, real estate, lease negotiation, contracts, estates and wills. We discussed how he approaches a case when he first decides to take it, and legal research in general. Although online law libraries have certainly changed the nature of this research, the practice of law is still quite book- and paper-based. Mr. Lonergan’s conference room has a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf filled with books of law-- and they are not just there for decoration. We also discussed the issue of confidentiality between a lawyer and his clients, an issue of utmost seriousness, even in seemingly routine cases. Mr. Lonergan is allowed to show case material to his employees (or interns); however, the umbrella of the lawyer-client confidentiality agreement extends to any such parties.

Mr. Lonergan also took me to the Circuit Court in Alexandria, where he showed me the law library, again reinforcing the continued importance of books and paper in the legal world, despite the increased prevalence of online work in other fields.

This day provided me with interesting exposure to the world of private law practice. I know much more about the public sector, so it was helpful to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each with Mr. Lonergan. Mr. Lonergan also reiterated to me that throughout his career, no one has ever been very concerned with where he went to law school-- rather, people just want to know whether or not he can help them. He emphasized that it is really skills and ability that lead to success, rather than a brand-name law degree. This was very encouraging-- I will certainly be considering this advice as I decide where to go to school next year.


October 30, 2009

On my second day, Mr. Lonergan introduced me to Judge Robert G. Mayer, a judge in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the eastern district of Virginia, Alexandria division. Judge Mayer told me about his legal career and what he does as a bankruptcy judge, described the procedure for hearing bankruptcy cases and showed me the courtrooms in the district courthouse.

I spent some time with Vikas Kumar, Judge Mayer’s clerk, who was rather swamped with work-- the state of the economy has made this quite a busy year for the bankruptcy courts. As I am interested in clerking after law school, my time with Vikas was very helpful-- a recent graduate of law school and a new clerk, he was able to give me some fresh insight. As a clerk, Vikas essentially prepares the cases for the judge: he goes through each case, summarizes it, finds and marks any problems with it, and submits it to the judge as either ready to approve or problematic. He said that clerking provides excellent practical training for law school graduates, especially since law school is very theoretical-- although he did take a course in bankruptcy in law school, he has learned most of it on the job. I have been trying to focus my interests and to choose a specialization in law school, precisely because of law school's broad curriculum; however, Vikas assured me that it is quite possible and intellectually challenging to learn on the job the way he does. I am now more comfortable with the idea of a broad legal education.


November 13, 2009

I spent my third day at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores in Alexandria. The NACDS lobbies Congress for the interests of its members-- which include, as its name suggests, CVS, Rite-Aid, Target, etc. Only some of its employees are lawyers; many work in public relations or public policy, one is a pharmacist, a few are both lawyers and pharmacists. I met with many different people with a wide variety of backgrounds. After my discussions with them, I had a better sense of the kind of policy work you can do both with and without a law degree.

I have never considered lobbying as a career after law school, and while my conversations at NACDS were helpful, I still do not plan to pursue lobbying. While I am interested in advocacy (specifically environmental advocacy), I just do not think I have the personality for lobbying, which depends so much on who you know, in addition to what you know. Further, the overwhelming consensus among the NACDS employees with whom I spoke was that a law degree is unnecessary to lobby. I am more interested in a career where my degree will be directly useful. That being said, my visit to NACDS helped me understand they way people with different backgrounds must work together for a lobbying organization to function, so I definitely feel more informed about the different forces that influence the legislature.

My visit to the NACDS was particularly timely, given the healthcare reform bill currently in Congress. While no one I spoke to expressed a political stance, the NACDS represents the interest of business. I personally strongly support a public option. However, I was actually very happy with my experience at NACDS. I spoke with people from both sides of the political spectrum, all of whom respected each other and the goals of their organization, regardless of their personal feelings. I am a native Washingtonian, so I am used to the pervasiveness of politics in all conversations. I always greatly appreciate such mutual respect and cooperation as I saw at NACDS. Everyone I spoke to was very encouraging and happy to tell me about their work.


Conclusion

I would highly recommend that prospective law students complete such an externship, even if they have a good sense of what they want to study in law school. I intend to study international environmental law and would eventually like to work in governmental clean water regulation. Through the careers of my parents, I am quite familiar with the public sector of law. After my externship, I feel more familiar with the private sector and have more of a sense of the different directions I could take my career. I will approach law school with an open mind, ruling out nothing until I have learned more about it.

Mr. Lonergan was very helpful in exposing me to very different areas of law and very supportive of my educational and career goals. His commitment to helping new generations of Maryland graduates succeed in their careers is an admirable and much appreciated gift to our community.

My Externship with Matthew Wasniewski and Don Ritchie

My Externship with Matthew Wasniewski and Don Ritchie

A few weeks ago I started my Externship, which has me working with Historians from Congress. Instead of working with just the Senate or the House side, I was lucky enough to be matched up with historians from both sides of the Congress.

On my first day of the externship, I got to work with Matthew Wasniewski, a Historian and Deputy of Chief at the Office of History and Preservation for the House of Representatives. Matthew first told me a bit about the responsibilities of the office. For one, it is responsible for the House's historical documents and official records from the House; it collects them, organizes them, and preserves them. They also conduct and collect oral interviews with Congressional and White House staff.

The Office also is responsible for the print and now, the online editions, of the biographies of Congressman. They also publish various books, such as one about women in Congress, along with brochures, art-related information, and necessary House publications.

Matthew and his staff introduced me to the Office of The Clerk website, and showed me some of its features, such as biographies, interesting random facts, and human pieces. In fact, I was assigned to write an interest piece about a former Representative for their website.

Afterwards, he took me around the U.S. Capitol and showed me the new exhibition hall, on which the House worked with the Senate to pick out themes and display pieces. Matthew told me about the statutes, which states donate, that are displayed in the Capitol. Until recently, they have been put away, and now they are decorating the hallways of the Capitol.

The newest part of the Capitol, which was recently constructed, is beautiful, with marble floors and priceless artifacts on display for the public. The murals and the infamous painted ceiling in the Capitol building also has an interesting background. The italian painter, who was very old, fell of the ladder while painting the walls and while he was fine, he decided to allow his apprentice to finish the job. The fact that two different artists worked on that masterpiece is not even evident, since it looks as if it is done by the same artist.

One of the most impressionable parts of the tour was when Matthew showed me the Women's Sitting Room, which used to be the Speaker's room, in which President John Quincy Adams died. I even got to sit on the same couch where President Adams died.

He also showed me around the floor of the Congress, where I have never been before, and told me about the changes that have been made or are going to be made there. Not only that, but he told me how Congress exactly operates when it's in session, and threw in a few interesting stories about past events that occurred on the floor.

Overall, the time I spent with Matthew has been very informative. I learned about how the

office works, and all the responsibilities and effort that go into maintaining the historical documents of the House. I also got an incredible tour of the Capitol, and learned about all the facts, of which I was previously unaware, and that made Congress that much more interesting to me. I really enjoyed the time that I have spent there and learned a lot of important and interesting information about the Congress, especially the House side.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

i said before, as part of this Externship, I got to work with historians from both sides of the Congress. The Historian from the Senate side with whom I was matched up is Donald Ritchie.

The duties of the Senate Historical Office are very similar to that of the House. This office is also responsible for collecting, preserving, publishing, and distributing historical information that deals with the Senate side. Since the Senate is significantly smaller than the House of Representatives, the Office is able to get much more detailed information about the Senators, and is slightly more ahead in various ways, such as photographs of Senatorial events, since they do not have to cover as many people as Matthew's office.

Just like the office for the House side, Don's office also upkeeps a website with biographies, needed up-to date information about the Senate, and even interest pieces. I was assigned to write a biographical piece about a former Senator for the office's website.

Besides the website duties, the office is also responsible for publishing pamphlets, informational guides and books. In fact, the Senate Historical Office often works with the House Historical Office on various projects. For instance, they both work together on deciding which pieces are showcased in the Capitol. Furthermore, the two offices worked together to publish the book "Women in Congress."

Both sides are also responsible for providing information to those who call and request information about the Congress, whether it's the outcome of a hearing, or a biography of a Congressman.

Overall, I am ecstatic about the chance to work with these two men. I think this Externship was an amazing experience and provided me with an inside look at the workings of the Congress, which has interested me for years, and is somewhere I hope to work one day. I got to hear in-depth stories about the history of the Congress, and was even told some amusing stories about various congressman and events that many people do not know about. I am really grateful for this opportunity to work with Matthew and Don, and feel that this externship was extremely beneficial in confirming my interest in government.

My Externship with Matthew Wasniewski

A few weeks ago I started my Externship, which has me working with Historians from Congress. Instead of working with just the Senate or the House side, I was lucky enough to be matched up with historians from both sides of the Congress.

On my first day of the externship, I got to work with Matthew Wasniewski, a Historian and Deputy of Chief at the Office of History and Preservation for the House of Representatives. Matthew first told me a bit about the responsibilities of the office. For one, it is responsible for the House's historical documents and official records from the House; it collects them, organizes them, and preserves them. They also conduct and collect oral interviews with Congressional and White House staff.

The Office also is responsible for the print and now, the online editions, of the biographies of Congressman. They also publish various books, such as one about women in Congress, along with brochures, art-related information, and necessary House publications.

Matthew and his staff introduced me to the Office of The Clerk website, and showed me some of its features, such as biographies, interesting random facts, and human pieces. In fact, I was assigned to write an interest piece about a former Representative for their website.

Afterwards, he took me around the U.S. Capitol and showed me the new exhibition, on which the House worked with the Senate to pick out themes and display pieces. Matthew told me about the statutes, which states donate, that are displayed in the Capitol. Until recently, they have been put away, and now they are decorating the hallways of the Capitol.

The newest part of the Capitol, which was recently constructed, is beautiful, with marble floors and priceless artifacts on display for the public. The murals and the infamous painted ceiling in the Capitol building also has an interesting background. The italian painter, who was very old, fell of the ladder while painting the walls and while he was fine, he decided to allow his apprentice to finish the job. The fact that two different artists worked on that masterpiece is not even evident, since it looks as if it is done by the same artist.

One of the most impressionable parts of the tour was when Matthew showed me the Women's Sitting Room, which used to be the Speaker's room, in which President John Quincy Adams died. He also showed me around the floor of the Congress, where I have never been before, and told me about the changes that have been made or are going to be made there. Not only that, but he told me how Congress exactly operates when it's in session, and threw in a few interesting stories about past events that occurred on the floor.

Overall, the time I spent with Matthew has been very informative. I learned about how his office works, and all the responsibilities and effort that goes into maintaining the historical documents of the House. I also got an incredible tour of the Capitol, and learned about all the facts, of which I was previously unaware, and that made Congress that much more interesting to me. I really enjoyed the time that I have spent there and learned a lot of important and interesting information about the Congress, especially the House side.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As i said before, as part of this Externship, I got to work with historians from both sides of the Congress. The Historian from the Senate side with whom I was matched up is Donald Ritchie.

The duties of the Senate Historical Office are very similar to that of the House. This office is also responsible for collecting, preserving, publishing, and distributing historical information that deals with the Senate side. Since the Senate is significantly smaller than the House of Representatives, the Office is able to get much more detailed information about the Senators, and is slightly more ahead in various ways, such as photographs of Senatorial events, since they do not have to cover as many people as Matthew's office.

Just like the office for the House side, Don's office also upkeeps a website with biographies, needed up-to date information about the Senate, and even interest pieces. I was assigned to write a biographical piece about a former Senator for the office's website.

Besides the website duties, the office is also responsible for publishing pamphlets, informational guides and books. In fact, the Senate Historical Office often works with the House Historical Office on various projects. For instance, they both work together on deciding which pieces are showcased in the Capitol. Furthermore, the two offices worked together to publish the book "Women in Congress."

Both sides are also responsible for providing information to those who call and request information about the Congress, whether it's the outcome of a hearing, or a biography of a Congressman.

Overall, I am ecstatic about the chance to work with these two men. I think this Externship was an amazing experience and provided me with an inside look at the workings of the Congress, which has interested me for years, and is somewhere I hope to work one day. I got to hear in-depth stories about the history of the Congress, and was even told some amusing stories about various congressman and events that many people do not know about. I am really grateful for this opportunity to work with Matthew and Don, and feel that this externship was extremely beneficial in confirming my interest in government.