Summer Business Boot Camp
The College of Business, Center for Student Success will be hosting a free, online Summer Business Boot Camp to help prepare students who are transitioning into upper-division business coursework. We specifically invite incoming transfer students and continuing CSULB students enrolled in 300 and 400-level core business classes.
Please register for and participate in as many workshops as possible. Workshop descriptions and registration links can be found below. Information on each workshop facilitator is available at the bottom of this page.
To request disability-related accommodations for any of the boot camp workshops, please contact bmac@csulb.edu.
SUMMER SCHEDULE: JULY/AUGUST
All hours between 09:00 am and 08:00 pm
Workshops and Registration
Workshop Facilitator: Sabrina Landa, Accountancy Department
This workshop will help prepare you for ACCT 300A by refreshing your knowledge of financial accounting and providing insight into the related topics covered in Intermediate Accounting. A thorough review of the accounting cycle including the recording process, financial statement preparation, and closing entries is covered using an interactive business case. In addition, you will receive critical study tips from peers and professors to help you to prepare to complete your degree in accounting.
Finally, you’ll learn about the valuable support network the College of Business provides including free tutoring, career development, and campus organizations like the Accounting Society, Beta Alpha Psi, and Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) to help you jump start your accounting career. Be prepared to engage in activities that will help you succeed.
Workshop Facilitator: Sabrina Landa, Accountancy Department
- Tuesday, August 1 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm - Register
- Wednesday, August 2 from 1:00 - 2:30 pm - Register
- Thursday, August 3 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm - Register
Microsoft Excel is a widely used business tool that each graduate should know. This hands-on workshop will prepare you with the tools to learn how to navigate, analyze, and create visualizations in Excel. You will learn basic and advanced functions including IF and VLOOKUP operations to help you save time while working with data. Next, we will cover the creation and analysis of data models toward building powerful data visualizations in Power Pivot for a more advanced look at the software’s latest functionality.
Be prepared to learn how knowledge of Excel can improve your learning experience and set you up for success in the industry. Additional free resources will be provided upon completion to help you master Excel. Students can install Excel (Microsoft Office 365) free of cost through the CSULB Software Depot. Registered participants will be emailed regarding any additional system requirements for this workshop.
Workshop Facilitator: Sabrina Landa, Accountancy Department
Business Analytics and creative visualizations are changing the way we communicate data across organizations. This workshop will provide you with a hands-on overview of how to use Microsoft Power BI to your advantage while working with multiple sources of data. We will cover basics such as data exploration and analysis, reporting, visualization dashboards, and DAX query language. Be prepared to learn how knowledge in data analytics can help boost your career.
Additional free resources will be provided to help master Power BI. Mac users may need to install Windows to run Power BI for this workshop. Registered participants will be emailed regarding the system requirements for this workshop.
Workshop Facilitator: Sabrina Landa, Accountancy Department
Tableau is a well-known business intelligence system that works across PC and Mac systems helping organizations get the most out of their data. This workshop will provide you with a hands-on overview of how to use Tableau to your advantage while working with multiple sources of data. We will cover basics such as data exploration, analysis, reporting, visualization dashboards, and calculations. Be prepared to learn how knowledge in data analytics can help boost your career.
Additional free resources will be provided to help you master Tableau. Registered participants will be emailed regarding the system requirements for this workshop.
Workshop Facilitator: Yong Kim, Finance Department
- Thursday, August 3 from 9:00 - 10:00 am - Register
- Thursday, August 3 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm - Register
- Friday, August 4 from 1:00 - 2:00 pm - Register
This workshop will introduce the financial calculator and how it will be utilized in finance courses. The instructor will demonstrate how to use the calculator for the time value of money and cash flow problems. Students will learn to identify givens and parameters in a problem and use this information to solve for a variable on the financial calculator.
The following calculators will be used during this workshop (we recommend reviewing your FIN 300 syllabus to confirm which calculator your professor prefers):
- Texas Instruments BA II Plus [TI BAII+ Purchase]
- HP 10bII+ [HP 10bII+ free download] [ HP 10bII+ Purchase]
Workshop Facilitator: Lori Joy Patricio, Academic Coach
Join me to talk about time management. In this workshop, we will discuss different ways to manage your time so you can learn efficiently. We will talk about ways you can calendar to reduce stress and increase productivity. We will also cover how to create a study schedule and boundaries as a learner in a virtual space.
Workshop Facilitator: Lori Joy Patricio, Academic Coach
- Tuesday, August 1 from 12:00 - 12:45 pm - Register
- Wednesday, August 2 from 3:00 - 3:45 pm - Register
The transition from the lower division to upper-division coursework can be challenging. In this workshop, I will discuss the expectations of third-year learners. We will look at what applied learning is, strategies for developing applied learning skills, and how it shows up on exams.
Workshop Facilitator: Lori Joy Patricio, Academic Coach
This workshop will introduce you to strategies that will help you connect with your professors, fellow students, and campus resources. We will explore best practices in e-mail communication, how to use the campus' online learning platforms and resources that are available to students (online and in-person) to help students successfully manage their transition to CSULB.
Workshop Facilitator: Delaney LeMaster-Dwyer and Elissa Pena, Writing Tutors for the College of Business
- Monday, July 31 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm - Register
- Tuesday, August 1 from 9:00 - 10:30 am (GWAR I & II) - Register
All students must fulfill the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) Placement Exam (GPE) in a timely manner in order to be awarded a CSULB degree. Incoming transfer students should attempt the GWAR/GPE by the end of their first semester at CSULB. Continuing students should attempt the GWAR/GPE between 30 and 50 units. Upcoming test dates and registration links can be found on the GWAR/GPE website.
In this workshop, students will learn what to expect when taking the GPE/GWAR exam (e.g. components of the exam and the rubric). We will review the basic structure of an essay. The workshop will also address how to develop a thesis statement and how to create a quick outline upon which students can base their essay responses. Worksheets and notes will be shared with attendees.
Workshop Facilitator: Delaney LeMaster-Dwyer and Elissa Pena, Writing Tutors for the College of Business
All students must fulfill the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) Placement Exam (GPE) in a timely manner in order to be awarded a CSULB degree. Incoming transfer students should attempt the GWAR/GPE by the end of their first semester at CSULB. Continuing students should attempt the GWAR/GPE between 30 and 50 units. Upcoming test dates and registration links can be found on the GWAR/GPE website.
This workshop will consist of interactive practice wherein students will not only learn by reviewing examples of essays that would earn a high score, but will also learn by reviewing prompts similar to those that students may encounter on the exam. Worksheets and notes will be shared with attendees.
Workshop Facilitator: Delaney LeMaster-Dwyer and Elissa Pena, Writing Tutors for the College of Business
- Wednesday, August 2 from 10:30 - 12:00 pm - Register
- Friday, August 4 from 3:00 - 4:30 pm - Register
This workshop will outline the formatting of a variety of business communications students will encounter not only in the classroom but in their daily business interactions, as well. These methods of communications will include memos, emails, positive messages, negative messages, resumes, and cover letters. This workshop will help prepare students for the coursework in IS 301 next semester. A worksheet containing a detailed outline of the topics discussed within the workshop will be provided to attendees.
Workshop Facilitator: Delaney LeMaster-Dwyer and Elissa Pena, Writing Tutors for the College of Business
- Wednesday, August 2 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm - Register
- Friday, August 4 from 11:00 - 12:30 pm - Register
This workshop will focus on ways in which students can set themselves apart from others in the business world by sharpening their written and verbal communication. The contents of this workshop will also help prepare students for the Grammar and Essential Mechanics (GEM) exam that they will be taking in IS 301. We will be breaking down the more challenging, grammatical concepts discussed in IS 301. A worksheet containing a detailed outline of the topics discussed within the workshop will be available to attendees.
Workshop Facilitator: Nicollette Brant, Business & Economics Librarian
Learn how to use proprietary databases to collect market research information. This workshop will cover the tools you can use to find existing data, statistics, and research on industries, companies, competitors, and consumers for conducting a market analysis.
Workshop Facilitator: Nicollette Brant, Business & Economics Librarian
- Tuesday, August 1 from 11:00 - 12:15 pm - Register
- Thursday, August 3 from 5:00 - 6:15 pm - Register
Learn how to use proprietary databases to find product, price, and promotion research. This workshop will cover how to find articles and reports that include information on advertising, pricing, and distribution strategies for existing firms.
Workshop Facilitator: Nicollette Brant, Business & Economics Librarian
Learn how to use proprietary and government databases to find political, economic, social, and technological country information for doing business in a foreign market.
Workshop Facilitator: Nicollette Brant, Business & Economics Librarian
Learn how to use proprietary databases to find company financials, and information on stocks and mutual funds, mergers and acquisitions, and venture capital and private equity. This workshop will also cover how to freely access popular financial news sources like the Economist, the Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times.
Workshop Facilitator: Nicollette Brant, Business & Economics Librarian
- Tuesday, August 1 from 6:15 - 7:30 pm - Register
- Thursday, August 3 from 10:00 - 11:15 am - Register
Learn how to use proprietary databases to find trending information and ideas on the planning, organizing, leading, and controlling functions of management. This workshop will also include how to use company reports to find supply chain information.
Workshop Facilitator: Angi Carrillo-Humphreys, Career Counselor
This workshop will teach you how to use CareerLINK, CareerShift, and other resources to find jobs and internships. You will also learn about Career Development Center services and how we can prepare you for success in reaching your career goals.
Workshop Facilitator: Deep Meghani, Math and Coding Tutor for the College of Business
Python is a high-level programming language. In contrast to its name, this language is designed to be user-friendly, with syntax that is similar to an English essay. Python provides coders with the advantage of developing programs without wrestling with the language, hence it is utilized in many fields which require processing data. Information Systems students will find this workshop especially helpful, as well as anyone seeking to grow their data analysis skills.
In this workshop, you will learn the basics of Python operators and built-in functions. In addition, the workshop will also cover conditional statements (if-else clauses) and loops which will allow you to solve many problems.
You will learn how to write a small Python program that will calculate income tax brackets by applying the concepts that you will have learned during the workshop. Additional Python learning resources and instructions will be shared via email prior to the workshop.
Workshop Facilitator: Deep Meghani, Math and Coding Tutor for the College of Business
Students who participate in the Python for Beginners workshop have the option of attending office hours for assistance with any optional homework problems. Students may drop in to office hours at any point during the advertised time frame.
Facilitator: Banafsheh Behzad, Information Systems Department
This workshop serves as an introduction to Business Statistics (IS 310). We will review the basics of the course and the fundamental topics.
Facilitator: Laura Gonzalez, Finance Department
This workshop will cover a basic introduction to financial health and college success. We will discuss budgeting, investment and fintech options as well as behavioral finance basics.
Facilitator: Mahtab Ghafoori, Math Department
- Tuesday, August 1 from 10:00am - 12:00 pm - Register
- Thursday, August 3 from 10:00am - 12:00 pm - Register
The goal of this workshop is to provide you with tools on how to successfully complete Math 115 in your first semester at CSULB. In this workshop, I will give you a brief overview of Business Calculus (first few weeks of the semester topics), study strategies, and where to find academic help on campus during the semester.
Facilitator: Alice Rivera, Accountancy Department
- Monday, July 31 from 10:00am - 12:00 pm - Register
- Wednesday, August 2 from 10:00am - 12:00 pm - Register
This bootcamp is for anyone who needs a refresher on the accounting information system. The review is designed for Intermediate Accounting students going into Acct 300A as well as Managerial Accounting students who want to brush up on foundational accounting elements and double-entry accounting. We will proceed as accountants for a business with a practical exercise that analyzes and records transactions, then reports this information in financial statements.
Boot Camp Facilitators
Lori Joy Patricio
Lori Joy is a Coordinator for the Academic Coaching Program at the Learning Center here at CSULB. The Academic Coaching program views learning as a life-long process. Students, regardless of their perceived capabilities, are able to learn, grow and develop at all stages of their academic career. We support this vision by providing students, staff, and faculty services to enrich, enhance, and facilitate the learning experience. Lori Joy is a CSULB alumni and has been with the Learning Center as a professional staff member for over 5 years. Lori Joy worked in the Learning Center during her graduate studies as a peer educator and continues to help students develop professionally in those roles.
Yong Kim
Hyuck Kim, Ph.D., joins CSULB as an Assistant Professor of Finance. He received his Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Finance from Michigan State University. He also worked as an economist at the Bank of Korea, the central bank of South Korea, from 2010 to 2016.
His research interests are empirical asset pricing, stock market anomalies, informational frictions, and index options. He teaches investments, derivatives, and portfolio management.
Dr. Kim loves teaching and always tries to motivate his students by bringing real-world examples and sharing his work experience at the central bank, the Bank of Korea. He also believes students should be prepared to meet challenges presented by advances in data science and financial technology.
Sabrina Landa
Sabrina gladly serves as a lecturer in Accountancy with seven years of teaching experience covering a broad array of undergraduate and graduate courses. As an accountant with 15+ years of career experience including controller and chief operations officer roles, she guides the learning process with unique strategic insight. Her passion for student success and her support of the COB Student Success Center allows her to share her career experience and make an impact on campus.
Delaney LeMaster-Dwyer
Delaney is the Senior Writing Tutor in the College of Business at CSULB. She is a graduate student studying Applied Anthropology and completing a Master's Certificate in Applied Disability Studies within the College of Education. Delaney received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkley, where she studied Peace and Conflict Studies.
Delaney is fluent in English and proficient in Spanish, French, and American Sign Language. She is a certified mediator and divorce mediator and has over 200 hours of experience in mediating in the North Justice Center with the non-profit organization Orange County Human Relations (OCHR). She also has experience working with OCHR within its restorative justice program at a local middle school.
Delaney loves getting to know and working with students.
Deep Meghani
Deep is an international student from India currently pursuing an undergrad in Computer Science at California State University Long Beach. Deep is a Senior at CSULB where he is a Math and IS tutor at the College of Business. Deep is fluent in three languages which are English, Hindi, and Gujarati. He wants to be a software developer and develop applications. Deep believes in sharing knowledge and that pursued him to be a tutor.
Deep loves to explore places, play soccer, and listen to music.
Nicollette Brant
Nicollette Brant (pronouns: she, her hers) is the Librarian for Business and Economics at CSULB. She is passionate about working alongside students to create an inclusive learning environment where open and honest dialogue and critical inquiry can flourish. As a business librarian, she is dedicated to helping students become savvy independent researchers in the classroom and in the workplace. Never hesitate to reach out to her to get assistance with research, citations, and all things data.
Angi Carrillo-Humphreys
Angi is a Career Counselor in the Career Development Center at CSULB with 20+ years of experience in helping students identify, pursue and achieve their career and academic goals. She actively engages with students by providing individual career counseling/coaching on topics such as internship/job search strategies, resumes development, interview preparation, and career exploration, including discussions on how to manage anxiety and procrastination, building confidence, and bringing your true authentic self to the process.
Angi believes that everyone brings a great and unique perspective along with skills, knowledge, talents, and experience that are of great value to all spaces.
Mahtab Ghafoori
Mahtab is a lecturer in the Mathematics Department at CSULB. She has been teaching Freshman level Math courses at CSULB for nine years. For the past two years, she has also been involved in coordinating the Lindgren tutoring center at CSULB where students receive free Math support and tutoring through the center.
Alice Rivera
Alice is a part-time lecturer at of California State University Long Beach and a full-time Professor of Accounting at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California. She teaches multiple subjects such as Financial and Managerial Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, and Internal Controls. Before becoming an educator, Ms. Rivera spent two decades as a practitioner in public accounting, private accounting, and contract accounting for small businesses. She loves accounting and cherishes the opportunity to share this love to students from all walks of life.
When not doing something related to accounting, Alice enjoys spending time with her family, watching and playing (or trying to play) basketball, and dabbling in music.
Elissa Pena
Elissa is an Undergraduate student in Accounting at CSULB. Elissa is planning on graduating a year early with her Bachelor's Degree in Spring 2024. She has senior standing and is a IS 301, Writing Support, and intro Excel/Access tutor at the COB CSS. Elissa is fluent in the English and Spanish languages. She looks forward to obtaining her CPA license and pursue her further education in Accounting. She is very proud to be helping other students overcome struggles and share knowledge.
Elissa enjoys reading a good book and listening to whatever is playing on Spotify.
