Haas Business Student Association
The Haas Business Student Association (HBSA) is the official undergraduate student government of the Haas School of Business. Under the support and guidance of the faculty and Undergraduate Program Office, HBSA works to enhance the undergraduate experience and advocate for the needs of the student body. It serves as an advisory body and represents all students enrolled in the Haas Undergraduate Program. HBSA’s goal is to promote activities that benefit the Haas community, students, faculty and staff.
HBSA Supplementary Application
General Questions
Which haas core value do you most embody and why?
Why do you want to join HBSA?
Committee Specific Questions
Sustainability:
The Sustainability Committee of the Haas Business Student Association (HBSA) is dedicated to advancing environmental stewardship and sustainability within our community. Our mission is to implement sustainable practices, promote the importance of environmental responsibility, and collaborate on impactful projects that reduce our carbon footprint. Some of the major projects you might see as an associate are the Earth Week Event, Sustainability Panel, and the Zero Waste Audit. By fostering a culture of sustainability, we aim to inspire and empower our members to make eco-friendly choices, ensuring a positive environmental impact for future generations. Join us in creating a sustainable future!
QUESTIONS
How can HBSA’s sustainability committee support your personal and professional growth in the field of sustainability and responsible business practices?
Are there any particular sustainability-related projects or initiatives you'd like to work on within the context of our club or in your future career?
MBA & Alumni Relations:
HBSA's MBA & Alumni Relations Committee aims to foster social, professional, and personal development through connections - encapsulating undergrads, alumni, and the MBA community. We do this by engaging with MBA leadership and the Haas Program office to host a variety of fun and professional events every year. In the past, we’ve put on special discount group tickets to local NBA games with the MBAs, industry-based conversation opportunities for undergrads to connect with MBAs and Alumni, and post-grad prep related to both deferred and general MBAs. Join this committee if you care about creating community, particularly in relation to higher education and alumni!
QUESTIONS
From these three terms (leadership, impact, intentionality), which one resonates with you most and why? Tell us about any previous experience(s) that helped shape your perspective on the word you selected.
Please tell us about an undergraduate alumnus from Haas you respect and admire. What qualities or achievements make them stand out to you? Note: this individual does not need to be a personal connection, feel free to do some research on Haas alumni to answer this question. (150 words max)
Marketing
The Marketing Committee is in charge of all HBSA social media channels and creates infographics for our events, produces engaging content featuring students and faculty, and shares valuable resources and advice for academics, career development, and beyond. We aim to is to keep our Haas community informed, connected, and inspired with the various forms of content and media we create!
QUESTIONS
How do you prioritize and manage your workload when faced with multiple deadlines? (200 words max)
Please describe one initiative or idea that you would like to implement for marketing committee this semester. (200 words max)
Please link your marketing portfolio below and ensure that anyone has access to it.
Strategic Initiatives:
HBSA's Strategic Initiatives Committee is responsible for developing special projects in conjunction with the Haas administration and provides internal strategic services for other HBSA committees. Strategy Associates perform a wide variety of tasks, working flexibly between many committees and the President/EVP to ensure that HBSA is maximally effective in serving the business community. Strategy Associates are also expected to take on an approved personal project throughout their tenure in the Strategic Initiatives Committee to improve the quality of life for Haas undergraduate students.
Strong candidates for the Strategy Associate position possess some or all of the following qualities:
Logical and pragmatic problem-solving skills
Effective communication skills, including strong writing, decking, and presentation abilities
Proficiency in analytical tools, such as R, Python, and Excel
Primary and secondary research skills
Exceptional professionalism
QUESTIONS
Please describe one strategic initiative project you would want to carry out throughout the semester and the steps you would take to accomplish your goals. (250 words max)
What skills or experiences do you believe make you the most qualified for this role? (150 words max)
Student Affairs:
The Student Affairs HBSA Committee is responsible for fostering and maintaining a strong culture within the Berkeley Haas undergraduate college. Through two sub-committees, Student Development and Student Life, Student Affairs oversees the implementation of events and initiatives aimed to support the professional and academic development of students, and to foster a strong sense of community, respectively. Student Affairs associates are responsible for organizing, planning, and creating events for the Haas student body. They are expected to interact with other Haas students, faculty, and Haas administration to achieve these ends. Events and initiatives hosted by Student Affairs in the past include the Haas Mentorship Program, Pre-Haas Student Panels, Haas Social by the Glade, and Pre-Haas Essay Editing Workshops.
QUESTIONS
Why are you interested in joining the Student Affairs Committee & what do you hope to contribute as part of this committee? (200 words max)
Share your ideas for organizing events, activities, or initiatives that would bring together students from different backgrounds & foster a strong sense of belonging within the Haas community. (200 words max)
Which of the following sub-committees would you like to be considered for? (Select all that apply)
Student Development: Focuses on the professional and academic development of Haas students through peer mentorship programs, student panels, and professor connections.
Student Life: Responsible for establishing a strong sense of belonging and inclusion among Haas students through community-centered events and fun bonding activities (ex. socials in the courtyard, holiday-themed events).
Integration
Haas boasts a diverse student body with varied interests and backgrounds. The Integration committee aims to unite these unique students and strengthen collaborations across special programs of athletes, MET, Spieker, GMP, and LSBE, as well as all Haas students. Associates will work to enhance the academic experience through engagement events and resources working in collaboration with program liaisons. Throughout the year, we will facilitate ongoing initiatives such as the Cross-Program Buddy Program, workshops with alumni and industry professionals, as well as social events to foster bonding. Other initiatives will include a centralized resource hub, town-halls, and maintaining communication channels.
QUESTIONS
What do you believe is an area of improvement and/or needs that need to be addressed for integrating and uniting the Haas student body? (150 words max)
Suggest an initiative that can better facilitate connections between students from different academic programs and years within Haas. (200 words max)
What does being a part of a community, large or small, mean to you? Please answer with an example. (150 words max)
Transfer Development
Transfer Outreach serves the purpose of giving back to the larger transfer community interested in joining Haas by creating resources and opportunities to support them in their application process. Outreach events would include hosting case competitions, facilitating panel in Envision Haas (admission outreach program by the Haas Undegraduate Office) and essentially being a role model and mentor for Community College students. Thus, Transfer Outreach serves as the support system for prospective transfer students.
QUESTIONS
Are you a transfer student? To apply for this committee, you must be a transfer student.
What is the school you transferred from?
As a transfer student, what is something that you think could be improved upon in the process of transferring to Haas? How would you work to solve this problem through a committee initiative? (200 words max)
How would being part of the transfer development committee support your overall growth? How would you support the growth of the transfer community through this position? (200 words max)
"Which of the following committees would you like to be considered for? (Select all that apply)
Outreach Committee: Focused on outreaching to community college / prospective transfer students, hosting case competitions, supporting Envision Haas, etc.
Integration Committee: Planning and creating events that strengthen bonds within the Haas transfer community and connect them with the overall Haas & campus community
Professional Development
The Professional Development Committee aims to expose Haas students to the myriad opportunities available for their careers. We coordinate with top corporate firms to organize and host information sessions, often partnering with other clubs to bring unique opportunities onto campus! These sessions provide valuable insights into various industries and career paths. Additionally, we compile corporate opportunities, including job openings and diversity programs, for the weekly undergraduate newsletter. Our goal is to equip students with the knowledge and connections needed to thrive in their professional journeys. Our goal is to have Haas students stay informed and engaged with our regular updates and events.
What skills or experiences do you believe make you the most qualified for this role? (150 words max)
What ideas do you have for new events/initiatives that could enhance the professional development opportunities for UC Berkeley students? (150 words max)
How do you stay updated on industry trends and opportunities that would benefit UC Berkeley students? (150 words max)
Entrepreneurship
The HBSA’s Entrepreneurship Committee aims to support student ventures by organizing startup speaker series, fostering collaboration with accelerators programs and other student organizations on campus, and securing angel investor fundings. We empower student entrepreneurs across all industries, solidifying HBSA's position within the entrepreneurial network.
Our committee embraces the innovation within our community and provides a pathway for students to make their ideas a reality. Our goal is to help students build the essential skill sets needed to explore the VC/startup space. Whether you have prior experience or are passionate about learning more about entrepreneurship, join us on this exciting journey!
QUESTIONS
Can you describe a successful experience pitching to startups or sponsors to secure funding or resources for a project/organization? Explain how you effectively communicated the value proposition and secured support. If you haven't pitched for funding before, how would you approach this process? (200 words max)
Can you describe a specific project or initiative where you were responsible for managing funds allocated by investors or sponsors? How did you approach budgeting, and what strategies did you use to ensure efficient use of resources? If you have not managed funds or allocated resources in the past, how would you approach this process? (150 words max)
If you were to design and implement a digital resource portal on the HBSA website for entrepreneurs, what key features and resources would you prioritize to make it a valuable hub for students? How would you ensure the portal remains relevant and useful over time? (150 words max)
Please share one word that best describes each of the following:
1) Best describes your personality
2) Your greatest skill
3) Your favorite word for all time
Have fun with this!"
(Optional) Please link any previous pitch decks or relevant resources that you would like to share prior/during the interview