It's All Relative: Students Experience the Latest Trends in Family Owned Businesses

The School of Business Career Services team, Wesley Dickens and Tyler Meisenheimer, collaborated with the CIE (Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship) faculty and leadership, Tong Meng and Clay Dibrell, to begin preparations for how we can further expose our business students to this rapidly trending and innovative concept of family businesses.

Additionally, the School of Business aims to encourage students to seek career and lifestyle opportunities within the state of Mississippi.

Students began applying during the Summer and were selected following a meeting with the Career Services team. This was the first year that the School of Business decided to attend the event accompanied with students, who were eager to explore family business opportunities and network with tenured professionals.

Students heard from Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Corinth, Chick Fil-A, The Dowell Group at Morgan Stanley and many other experienced professionals who led discussions on the multiple benefits, challenges, trends and opportunities that lie ahead for family businesses.

"From personal experience attending the Family Business Symposium, I had the opportunity to learn more about the “real world” dynamics of a family business. Therefore, this helps the growth of my knowledge going forward into my own family business. One important factor to remember is that family is everything no matter what. On the other hand, it is also very important to separate personal topics and conversations from what is meant to be at the workplace. Overall, I have learned that successful family businesses prioritize communication strategies, succession planning, and that these strong relationships built within the business can assist the generations of the future,” said Mason McAteer, a junior General Business major who attended the Symposium.

The Ole Miss Business students were spotlighted multiple times and were able to build their networks by engaging with many of the Symposium attendees.

The convention was a two-day event that consisted of guest speakers, panel interviews and a networking reception. Dr. Ken Cyree, Dean of the Ole Miss Business School, was one of multiple guest speakers at the networking reception and was able to connect and provide helpful tips to the attending students.

The School of Business will plan to continue in their partnership with the CIE in allowing students to experience this annual event. We are thankful for Melanie Dowell, and many other alumni and support systems, who continue to make these student experiences possible.