The semester-long externship provides UNCC students with valuable hands-on experience with select private-sector organizations and industries, focusing on the following areas:

• Market Research:  Students conduct surveys and analyze data to gain insights into target audiences.
• Project Management:  Students prioritize tasks, manage their time effectively, and communicate clearly.
• Digital Marketing:  Students execute email marketing campaigns and implement lead generation strategies.

Through this experience, students build essential skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving, primarily through their own marketing research projects and personal topic interests. For example, at Mavendog, the externship emphasizes management consulting industries and project management as a profession. Students explore target industry buyers, clients (or ‘client avatars’), and buyer behaviors. They also conduct market analysis on the independent consultant movement in today’s modern workforce, which plays a crucial role in Mavendog’s go-to-market strategy.

“The externship at Mavendog is invaluable,” said Emanuel Valenzuela, a marketing student at UNC Charlotte. “I apply classroom knowledge to solve marketing questions facing consulting and project management in 2024. It’s also great exposure to the industry, voice-of-the-customer insights, and our Charlotte market.”

“Mavendog feels truly honored to participate in these kinds of opportunities, particularly through the Belk College of Business,” said Jon Vordermark, Mavendog’s President. “The Belk mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of business leaders, and Mavendog is proud to support that mission. Moreover, the benefits of this partnership go both ways. These students bring fresh perspectives to the table. After all, they are Generation Z—naturally individualistic, pragmatic, and direct in their communication. They grew up in a technological environment that allows them to research and discover what they need independently. It’s refreshing.”

“My team really enjoyed working with Emanuel,” continued Vordermark. “We didn’t need to spoon-feed information. Instead, Emanuel arrived prepared and engaged throughout the process. It felt like having an aspiring marketing consultant on staff—someone who actively engaged us with thoughtful, constructive questions about the market and cross-referenced his findings with the best practices he’s learning at UNCC.”

Looking ahead, Mavendog looks forward to continuing its partnership with UNC Charlotte and supporting the next generation of business professionals.

*****

The Belk College of Business is one of the Carolinas’ largest and most diverse business schools and is a vital intellectual resource to the Charlotte business community. It offers outstanding business education at the undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and executive levels. With more than 4,000 undergraduate students, almost 900 graduate students, over 100 full-time faculty and more than 37,000 alumni, the Belk College of Business is North Carolina’s urban research business school. They are committed to building strong partnerships that have lasting impact across the state.

About Mavendog, LLC

Mavendog is the Carolina’s premier project management firm, offering independent, expert program and project managers and interim executive leaders. Since 2017, Mavendog has been committed to helping clients solve their project challenges, from complex enterprise programs and change initiatives to tactical project needs. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information, visit mavendog.com.