Student Spotlights

Cory Carpenter
Vanderbilt University, Economics Major

“Accelerator gave me an unparalleled opportunity to get a jump start in my career. The knowledge and skills learned in the program will stay with me for the rest of my life. I look back and believe that it was the best decision I have made thus far in my professional career. The friendships made and skills learned are priceless.”

Lauren Dornfeld
Vanderbilt University, History and Spanish Graduate, 2007

"What I've gained from the Accelerator program is the ability to be given business challenges and really look at them strategically, analyze the situation and make sound judgement decisions. The program provided me with different perspectives on various businesses and industries, which will really help my career in the long run."

Raymond A. McGill, Jr.
Cornell University, Information Science Graduate, 2007

“Accelerator helped me increase my business acumen by gaining a critical understanding of the fundamentals of business while developing relationships with other participants and faculty that augmented my learning experience.”

Alex Nordholm
Vanderbilt University, Political Science and Sociology Graduate, 2007

"Accelerator provided a wonderful foundation for me to approach a broad range of different careers. I felt prepared to interview for, and succeed in, a job in advertising, marketing, finance or consulting. I have no doubt that my post college search would have proven significantly more difficult if not for Accelerator."

Michael Puchon
University of Pennsylvania, Economics Major

"Accelerator boats such a diverse group of people. It's really been great to see everyone's strengths and weaknesses and to be able to rely on various skills to create the best outcome possible with our projects."

Adrian Reif
Vanderbilt University, Psychology Graduate, 2007

"The valuable hands-on project experience that you gain as part of Accelerator as well as various leadership skills that you develop is immeasurable."

Mallory Shafer
Vanderbilt University, Economics Major

"From participating in the Accelerator program, I expected to simply add something to my resume, but what I got from participating in the program was greatly superior. I learned that I am capable of much more than I had originally thought. I now have complete confidence in myself to leave my comfort zone in college and start a career in almost any industry."