The University of Massachusetts is holding the first annual "Student Business Appreciation Week," this week, designed and to honor those student-run business on campus that work so hard to serve UMass students. These businesses are what give the University of Massachusetts its character and charm. They add a hint of professionalism while still understanding and appealing to the student body, their primary target.
Without knowing it, students on campus have come to rely heavily on many of the student-run businesses. Just having the comfort of know a student can always get that last-minute impulse cup of coffee in the morning is a very good feeling. The eight student-run businesses on campus deserve campus-wide recognition for all the hard work they put in and this week is perfect to do just that.
All students can relate to holding a job while attending classes. However, the students who work and manage these businesses on campus seem to be undertaking a lot more than the average UMass student. Those students occupy the title of co-manager. For all intensive purposes, they are responsible for running everything, from ordering to staffing to organizing. With help from managerial consultants from the Isenberg School of Management, these students are gaining great experience and knowledge of the business world.
Perhaps the greatest thing these students will be walking away from their tenure at their respective businesses with is the knowledge of how to turn a profit. And what's even more impressive is that none of these students are business majors and are, therefore, trying to balance the stress of the corporate world with the everyday stresses of being a full-time college student.
This week is a great opportunity for all of UMass to take the time to properly acknowledge the hard work and long hours these students put in to making our day-to-day routine manageable. Student-run businesses, because they have the word "student" attached to the management's name, can often be thought of as less reputable. After all, they are just college students. But, the initiative that it takes to own and operate a business without help from the University is something that speaks volumes to all future employers for these students.
Also, the fact that these student-run businesses operate within the same vicinity of each other speaks very highly of the competitive nature that they have to endure. As any business owner knows, competition is a major factor and maintaining a successful corporation in the midst of all of it is vital.
For these student-run businesses, that they are able to still profit and stay afloat is remarkable. Because of the college campus environment, they need each other to survive, and working with your competitors is a better skill to have than working against them. This week, we should all take the time to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that these students put in to adding that little hint of comfort to our lives.
Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of The Massachusetts Daily Collegian Editorial Board.
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