More than 160 students participated in the ORT Open House event at the Pocitos Campus of Universidad ORT Uruguay on Friday, May 26, 2017. The students attended informational sessions on degree programs offered by the School of Business and Social Sciences and the School of Architecture, as well as on entrepreneurship, study abroad programs, scholarships, sports activities, and career placement.
The event (which could be followed on social media using the hashtag #OpenHouseORT) was aimed at 11th and 12th graders. The university’s various schools welcomed more than 370 high school students from Montevideo and other parts of the country.
Take responsibility!
The first activity of the event was the talk titled “Take Charge!” by Florencia Gubba, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Management and Administration from the school and serves as director of Gubba Health & Soul Coaching, a startup that aims to provide people with the tools they need to decide which path to take in life.
Her presentation was a motivational talk designed to help young people choose a career. Gubba earned her bachelor’s degree while working at her mother’s company, and after graduating, she rose to the position of CEO. However, she soon began to feel frustrated. That’s when she recalled a piece of advice her mother had given her: “Whatever you do, do it with passion.”
She decided to quit her job and start looking for what she really wanted to do. The entrepreneur explained that she set aside time every day for self-reflection and meditation. That’s how she began preparing to become a head coach by taking an online course.
Gubba encouraged the young people to take some time to reflect on their future and also asked them a few questions that might help them make a decision. “What comes easily to you? What is something you could do all day long? What are you passionate about?” she said, adding that what she loved to do was motivate people.
The graduate explained that her decisions had unconsciously led her to discover her passion. “If I hadn’t earned my bachelor’s degree, I wouldn’t be here today.” Finally, Gubba advised young people to overcome their fears and do what they want. “Taking charge of your own decisions gives you a great deal of freedom.”
Certified Public Accountant
Following an introduction to the Certified Public Accountant program given by the program coordinator, Ms. Lourdes Volpi, the students participated in a workshop in which they had to solve problems related to the practice of the accounting profession. This allowed them to experience the work of an accountant in a simple and engaging way.
The goal was to introduce students to the four core areas of the degree program and the profession—accounting, auditing, taxation, and finance—and to familiarize them with the university’s “learning by doing” approach and the importance of teamwork.
Teams were formed, each led by an upperclassman or graduate student who acted as an investor’s advisor while presenting hypothetical scenarios. Each team had to take a position and make a decision based on the situation.
For each problem, the consequences of the decision made were explained to them. The goal was for students to understand that there is no single best solution, but rather that in each case, both the positive and negative aspects must be taken into account.
Bachelor's Degree in Economics
The event organized by the Bachelor's Program in Economics consisted of an introduction to the professional work of economists in their various fields of activity: economic and social policy, financial analysis, and the behavior of organizations and individuals.
The program coordinator, Dr. Néstor Gandelman, spoke with the young people who attended the talk about the most important aspects students learn during the program that will enable them to excel in their future careers.
The young people had the opportunity to talk with current students, alumni, and faculty about their experiences at the university and their various professional activities.
Bachelor's Degree in International Studies
The Bachelor's Program in International Studies held an event with program administrators, alumni, and upperclassmen.
Following the opening remarks by the academic coordinator, Javier Bonilla Saus, M.A., the graduates and students shared their experiences during their studies and in their professional practice.
This provided young people with an opportunity to engage with the contemporary global landscape, gaining firsthand insight into a field of study that equips them with the tools needed to understand and participate in international business, diplomacy, integration, and international organizations.
Bachelor's Degree in Management and Administration
The activity for the Bachelor's Degree in Management and Administration consisted of a hands-on class led by the program coordinator, Enrique Kramer, MBA. The session focused on a case study. The goal was to provide a practical experience of the role of a manager and the program itself.
Case studiesare a way to expose students to the realities of the professional world. They are a tool that helps students engage with and understand business situations, as well as analyze a business from various perspectives.
This is an important activity in the program and at the school, during which students and the professor discuss the topic under the premise that there are no optimal solutions, only actions that are advisable or inadvisable.
Fast Ball
Professors Federica Abella and Magdalena Pereira, from the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship - CIE from the university organized a motivational activity called Fast Ball. It involved dividing the students into groups and passing a ball around among all the group members as quickly as possible.
The ball had to stay in motion at all times and could not be passed to the person standing next to you. The team that completed the task in the shortest time won. The challenge was then repeated with larger groups and, finally, with the entire group.
The goal was to focus on areas such as interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, creativity, and the ability to adapt to change.
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