Academics

Academics

Private equity electives, which build on the MBA Program’s rigorous core curriculum, reflect the demands of the industry and are offered in these areas: credit markets, later stage buy outs, restructuring and venture capital.

Beyond the classroom, the Private Equity Program produces a full calendar of activities that complements the formal curriculum. Senior-level practitioners — including many alumni — come to campus as event participants, speakers, panelists and mentors, providing students with exceptional opportunities to gain in-depth insight into current topics of interest as well as the general culture of the industry and specific firms they aspire to join.

The program works with student members of the Columbia Business School Private Equity and Venture Capital Club to secure internship opportunities at New York City-area private equity and venture capital firms. Interns work on a pro bono basis for the equivalent of 10 full working days at participating firms during the spring semester. The dual objective is to provide Columbia Business School students with experience in the private equity and venture capital industry while allowing firms the chance to learn about and benefit from Columbia Business School’s pool of talented students. The program also runs other professional-development programs for current students, such as an alumni breakfast series, a mentoring program and a senior executive recruiters’ guidance program.

The New York Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) is sponsoring a competition among selected graduate business school students for the best paper on topics related to corporate financial distress and bankruptcy. TMA is the leading organization of professionals specializing in working with companies in distress. TMA has 6,700 members internationally and 800 members in its New York Chapter. Our membership includes investors, lenders, attorneys, consultants, investment bankers, academics, accountants, appraisers and other professionals who comprise the leaders in the field of corporate renewal.

Update - Columbia Business School students placed first again in 2009. $3,000 First Place Award "Restructuring Pilgrim's Pride"
Perched at the helm of the nation's poultry producers, Pilgrim's Pride filed for bankruptcy-court protection in 2008. It faced excessive debt following a $1 billion acquisition and difficult economic conditions affecting feed costs and chicken prices. This paper analyzes impacts on Pilgrim's finances and recommends that the company reformulate its business model and sell some assets to reduce debt.
Authors: David Epstein, Steven Ostroff, Michael Sand, Satish Selvanathan and David Twerdun
Advisor: Professor Laura Resnikoff, Columbia Business School

Erik Ulin accepting the first place award for the 2008 Turnaround Management Association's Carl Marks Student Paper competition from TMA officers. Erik Ulin accepted the award on behalf of his team whose members included Aaron Baker '08, Lauren Cassidy '08, Josh Goodman '08 and Josh Siegel '08.

• TMA Association--Student Paper Past Winners

Columbia Business School team wins second place at the Turn Around Management Association's Carl Marks Student Paper competition. TMA officers present award to EMBA students, Chester Han '08, Andrew Huml '08, Anand Kagalkar '08, Lena Saito '08 and Kristy Sundjaja '08.