Net Impact club receives Gold Chapter Standing

Terry’s chapter of Net Impact, a club that helps students apply their business school know-how to social and environmental causes, received Gold Standing for the second year in a row.

The honor is a reflection of the substantial efforts the club has undertaken to increase growth, provide networking opportunities and hold events, said MBA candidate and club co-president Erin Geoffrey.

“We have 28 members involved in Net Impact, which is 33 percent of the MBA program,” she said. “In the fall, we will launch an undergraduate chapter of Net Impact. This will help us to grow the club and provide networking opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students. We don’t have a regular meeting time, but the club holds at least one event per month (but usually more).”

Co-president Ariel Brassil, also an MBA student, added: “I was recruited by two of the Net Impact officers the summer before I started. It was easy to see how I could fit in the chapter. Even though we represent a diverse group of interests, we have a common passion for making a difference. Net Impact is the most active club in the MBA program and offers the most opportunities for personal and professional growth. Since we’re generally like-minded people, I think we have the most fun, too.”

That like-mindedness comes from the club’s commitment to causes above and beyond the bottom-line. This summer, both Geoffroy and Brassil are using their talents to help environmentally aware business ventures. Geoffroy is working as an intern at Alstom Power in Florida, where she’s learning more about how natural gas plays a strong role in supporting renewable energy. Brassil is working as an intern with Sto Corp. in Atlanta. The company handles energy-efficient wall cladding, coating and restoration products, and espouses a deep respect for sustainability.

“Many of our activities focus on helping students determine their professional path and this is especially important for students that are less attracted to the traditional career options for MBA or undergraduate business students,” Geoffroy said. “We host a variety of events including networking nights in Atlanta, company visits to socially responsible businesses, the national Net Impact conference in Silicon Valley, the Net Impact case competition in Boulder, consulting projects with local businesses, career development sessions, happy hours with other environmental groups at UGA, volunteer opportunities and more.”

Net Impact is a community of more than 50,000 student and professional leaders creating positive social and environmental change in the workplace and the world. It is open to anyone interested in finding a career related to environmental or social change.