Each spring and fall academic semesters, Kaulkin Ginsberg Company (KGC) collaborates with the Department of Economics at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) to work with highly qualified and hardworking students in a real-world practicum program (the Practicum). Each semester, several UMD students that succeeded in their academics and want to apply their classroom knowledge to practical market research projects are selected to participate in the Practicum. In the past, KGC worked with UMD students who maintained an interest to progress to graduate school, and those who simply wanted to immediately enter the labor force. In addition to their academic focus in economics, some former fellows were dual mathematics, finance, or engineering majors, with others interested in government and politics, or even journalism. KGC also had the pleasure of helping international students gain a simulated real-world working experience in the U.S through the Practicum. KGC enjoys meeting new fellows who are eager to gain new experiences and maintain a thirst for learning.

This past semester, there were 10 students selected to be part of the Practicum. KGC split the fellows into three groups and tasked them with performing market research within several accounts receivable management (ARM) client segments, specifically the property management, Midwest region state government, and student loan industries. KGC’s team instructed, guided, and coached the students, while discussing ongoing research progress and addressing their questions through weekly lectures in which fellows would learn real-world market research and professional skills. KGC’s fellows collaborated with their teammates to develop and improve their research, public speaking, financial statement analysis, data collection, and writing skills, among many other professionally relevant techniques. Lastly, the KGC team has remained in contact with the fellows as it’s always a joy receiving updates from them and learning how KGC can help them succeed.

Going forward, KGC continues improving the Practicum and working with fellows who are diligent, thoughtful, and maintain great levels of integrity. KGC strives to enhance the Practicum that not only benefits the firm and UMD, but one which continues to provide unique opportunities for students to apply their classroom knowledge and experiences to real-world market research projects.

To the spring 2019 fellows: thank you for all your hard work and persistence throughout the semester. You improved greatly over the few months and KGC looks forward to helping you succeed into the future.