Undergrad sitting in on business meetings?

[Shredder]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Do you think any businesses would let me quietly sit in a corner during meetings to observe? I feel I could learn a lot and gain a bit of "work experience". Do you foresee any obstacles? It's something I would really like to do. I can't take up a job or do an internship this summer--I already work in a biology lab; I have many interests.

 

[Law2Doc]

Do you think any businesses would let me quietly sit in a corner during meetings to observe? I feel I could learn a lot and gain a bit of "work experience". Do you foresee any obstacles? It's something I would really like to do. I can't take up a job or do an internship this summer--I already work in a biology lab; I have many interests.

Not exactly sure what kind of "meetings" you are talking about, but assuming you mean a deal or strategy meeting, then generally no - silent observers who don't work for the company aren't usually welcome. Especially so for public companies, which have shareholder confidentiality obligations. And absolutely no way in situations in which lawyers or accountants are involved -- having an outsider would destroy the ability to legally deem the matters discussed as privileged or "work product" in the event of a subsequent liability and subpoena. Some places have internship or coop type opportunities which might enable you to get a chance to sit in on some forms of meetings, but even then, they probably won't let you in on anything particularly high level.

 

[Shredder]

it doesnt have to be high level at all, i just want to get a feel for the dynamics of good meetings and how they are run, how people interact with each other, different roles, leadership, what is focused on, conflicts and resolution, etc. it could be any regular meeting, doesnt have to be special. i dont feel im learning enough through college student organizations, what do college students know about getting things done and working in the real world. they are just immature 20 somethings, myself included, so rather than pretend to run effective operations id like to at least see how one works.

i thought about confidentiality and secrecy issues as one potential problem...i could try to stay away from things like that, or even sign documents guaranteeing sealed lips if it comes to that, but that seems pretty official for what im seeking.

i can and do read books about all of this, but i have to see it carried out to really absorb it. like the difference between a lecture and a lab. internship and coop...im not really seeing availability in my regimen to do something that committed until i graduate next spring, and im not looking for responsibility or money right now, just learning. basically like premeds shadowing doctors, but ive already done that and would like to do the same for business.

 

[Law2Doc]

it doesnt have to be high level at all, i just want to get a feel for the dynamics of good meetings and how they are run, how people interact with each other, different roles, leadership, what is focused on, conflicts and resolution, etc. it could be any regular meeting, doesnt have to be special. i dont feel im learning enough through college student organizations, what do college students know about getting things done and working in the real world. they are just immature 20 somethings, myself included, so rather than pretend to run effective operations id like to at least see how one works.

i thought about confidentiality and secrecy issues as one potential problem...i could try to stay away from things like that, or even sign documents guaranteeing sealed lips if it comes to that, but that seems pretty official for what im seeking.

i can and do read books about all of this, but i have to see it carried out to really absorb it. like the difference between a lecture and a lab. internship and coop...im not really seeing availability in my regimen to do something that committed until i graduate next spring, and im not looking for responsibility or money right now, just learning. basically like premeds shadowing doctors, but ive already done that and would like to do the same for business.

Well, I suppose you could always buy a share of stock in a local publically traded company (if you are near a city, there is probably something listed on one of the exchanges - ideally something small cap and super cheap like a penny stock), and then they pretty much have to invite you to the annual stockholders' meetings -- small shareholders rarely attend these -- they are usually pretty informal affairs with people sending their votes in by mail or fax. But if you are curious, it's a thought...

 

[Shredder]

Coincidentally I do own shares of a local gene therapy company (INGN)...but I've had it for over a year and haven't gotten any invitations. Sounds like a good idea, though it's only annually. I guess I could buy shares in a bunch of companies, Austin has tons of course, and try to intersperse meetings throughout the coming year, not sure if they all tend to happen at about the same time however. I'll look into it some..

 

[mddre]

Coincidentally I do own shares of a local gene therapy company (INGN)...but I've had it for over a year and haven't gotten any invitations. Sounds like a good idea, though it's only annually. I guess I could buy shares in a bunch of companies, Austin has tons of course, and try to intersperse meetings throughout the coming year, not sure if they all tend to happen at about the same time however. I'll look into it some..

Nice job of plugging the company. 😀 Like any loyal investor should do. I like that!!! The stock hasn't really gone anywhere in the past year though. It's currently trading at a local resistance, but not a bad stock for momentum trading with two double bottoms already. Hang on for the ride baby!!!

 

[dentite001]

Nice job of plugging the company. 😀 Like any loyal investor should do. I like that!!! The stock hasn't really gone anywhere in the past year though. It's currently trading at a local resistance, but not a bad stock for momentum trading with two double bottoms already. Hang on for the ride baby!!!

If your still in undergrad and you are that keen on business, then go into business. Companies generally hire recent grads for 2 year analyst positions. While your still in undergrad, 10 week internships are possible in the summer depending on your major and performance.

 

[Shredder]

See I don't like that, I started college as a traditional premed but saw business as an avenue to do more than just treat patients forever, a thought which I began to grow disillusioned with. I'm keen on business, but it would be much more meaningful to me to develop and market treatments for diseases than to sell toys, paint houses, and make lots of money in general. I've seen the business students; few of them actually have passion for any field in particular, just whatever puts the bread on the table, preferably lots of it. Thus the big name CEOs jumping from one company to another vastly different company i.e. Meg Whitman Hasbro to Ebay

Again, concerning internships, this summer I'm working in my bio lab using microarrays to study gene expression...experience I hope I can apply to medicine one day. It's unfortunate that I'm having to defend myself even here. If I'm faced with working for four years between college and business school, or attending med school during the same time, I would much prefer the latter. I'm a biomedical engineering major and business minor.

I don't know a lot about stocks, I just picked INGN up because a professor mentioned it and I figured I would be more apt to learn about the stock market by actually having a personal stake in it. This has proven true to some extent, but I'm still a newbie for now. I've made about 150 on it so far (75 at $4.92)...still hanging on indefinitely for the ride. I gotta admit, I'm greedily hoping they put out a blockbuster and make me rich ha.