Does capitalism still work? More people are asking that question than ever before — and a rising generation isn’t sure of the answer.

No economic system in history has lifted more people out of poverty, generated more innovation or created more opportunities than capitalism. However, the challenge is not in the promise of capitalism. It is in the failure to extend that promise far enough: to open the doors, share the knowledge and provide the networks that allow people to step through.

Looking for an internship, externship or full-time role in business — or hoping to expand your network?

Day 1 of the Fall 2026 VCU Business Internship & Career Fair connects you with a wide range of employers hiring across all business majors. Whether you’re exploring options or actively applying, this event is a great opportunity to build your network, ask questions and get your resume in front of decision-makers.

Different employers attend each day, so we recommend coming to both Day 1 and Day 2.

Come dressed in business professional attire and bring paper copies of your resume. Drop by Business Career Services (Snead B1102) for prep help, resume reviews and elevator pitch coaching.

Mingle with fellow business Rams, reconnect and meet new faces — all while enjoying light refreshments and a laid-back summer atmosphere. From networking to unwinding, this is your midweek moment to relax, recharge and sip on a drink with the School of Business community.

Join our webinar to learn how VCU’s Evening M.B.A. is centered around innovation and creativity, equipping graduates to excel in managerial roles.

Learn about our unmatched flexibility, including full-time, part-time, on-campus and online program options. Connect with program staff and learn everything you need to know to apply.

Last day for degree candidates to submit graduation applications for December degrees. Learn how to submit a graduation application. 

No classes. 

Missed Day 1 or want to meet even more employers? Day 2 brings a whole new lineup.

Each day of the VCU Business Internship & Career Fair features a different set of employers hiring for internships, externships and full-time roles — so we encourage you to attend both days to make the most of your opportunities!

The fair is open to all undergraduate business students, whether you’re just beginning your search or ready to land your next role. Use this chance to explore new companies, ask thoughtful questions and make meaningful connections.

Dress business professional, bring printed copies of your resume and stop by Business Career Services (Snead B1102) for prep support before the event.

Ready to land an internship or job in accounting before the semester ends?

Meet the Firms is your chance to connect directly with employers hiring for accounting internships and full-time jobs. Most opportunities will begin in summer 2027, so it’s important to start early and come prepared.

You’ll meet representatives from accounting firms, finance companies and other organizations looking for candidates in tax, audit, advisory and more. Use this event to make a great first impression, learn about employer expectations and ask questions about CPA requirements and company culture.

Remember to bring your VCU ID and pick up your name tag before speaking with employers.

The Dean’s Research Seminar series brings VCU School of Business faculty and staff together to learn about and engage with research from across the school. Kicking off the 2026-27 series, Christopher Reina, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, will present “From Extreme to Everyday Contexts: How mindful organizing enhances team problem solving” (abstract below).

Faculty and staff RSVP

This event is intended for VCU Business faculty and staff. Please RSVP by responding “Yes” to the Google Calendar invitation from the Office of Research Excellence. “Maybe” responses will not be included in the lunch count. Responses may be updated until noon Thursday, Aug. 20.

The Economics Seminar Series brings guest speakers from universities, government agencies and research institutions around the world to VCU Business to share current research across a range of economic topics.

Thomas Hasenzagl, Ph.D., of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond will present “Precautionary Pricing and Markup Cyclicality.”

Abstract

Why are markups cyclical, and why does their cyclicality vary across firms, sectors, and business-cycle episodes? We develop a theory of pricing under uncertainty in which risk-averse firms set prices before costs and demand are realized. In this environment, pricing serves a precautionary role and optimal markups incorporate a risk adjustment reflecting the firm's desire to limit its exposure to uninsurable fluctuations in cost and demand. Greater cost uncertainty raises markups, and greater demand uncertainty lowers them.

A central implication of the theory is that markup cyclicality reflects two forces: the composition of risk firms face, which determines how markups respond to cost and demand uncertainty; and the cyclicality of those risks, which determines whether each source of uncertainty amplifies or dampens markup fluctuations over the business cycle. Using U.S. manufacturing data, we find that cost and demand uncertainty have the predicted opposing effects on markups, both across industries and firms, and we measure their contributions to markup dynamics.

We also embed this precautionary-pricing mechanism in a standard general-equilibrium model of firm dynamics, and find that precautionary pricing raises welfare and boosts business formation despite amplifying misallocation and inequality between workers and entrepreneurs.

Celebrate the grand opening of Saxbys at VCU with complimentary samples, music, prizes and more!

Check out the new student-led cafe in Snead Hall, learn about leadership opportunities for VCU Business students and hear from the inaugural Student CEO and VCU leadership.

This interactive, 60-minute session helps students make confident financial decisions early in their college careers. Speaker Nia Adams reframes the college experience as a “portfolio” that students are actively building, showing how small financial choices can compound into meaningful outcomes over time. No prior financial knowledge needed!

Join our webinar to learn how VCU’s Evening M.B.A. is centered around innovation and creativity, equipping graduates to excel in managerial roles. 

Learn about our unmatched flexibility, including full-time, part-time, on-campus and online program options. Connect with program staff and learn everything you need to know to apply.

Join us virtually for a chance to hear from students pursuing their M.B.A. at VCU Business. Learn more about the Evening M.B.A. program, hear responses to preselected questions and have the opportunity to ask the panel your own questions.

Join our webinar to learn how VCU’s Evening M.B.A. is centered around innovation and creativity, equipping graduates to excel in managerial roles.

Learn about our unmatched flexibility, including full-time, part-time, on-campus and online program options. Connect with program staff and learn everything you need to know to apply.

Learn more about the nation’s No. 1 grad program in advertising and branding and jumpstart your creative career! We’ll chat about the unique Brandcenter experience, our four concentrations (Art Direction, Copywriting, Creative Brand Management, and Strategy), the admission process, and more. Are you considering a career in advertising and branding but not sure where to start? Join our virtual information session to learn about the VCU Brandcenter, our graduate program and four concentrations, career outcomes, the admissions process and more. Bring your questions for a Q&A, and register in advance to receive the Zoom link.

Kick off Snead Week at the annual block party! Enjoy free food and desserts, music, games, crafts, giveaways and more. Meet and connect with fellow VCU Business students, faculty and staff — and don’t miss Dancing with Dean Brown!

Celebrate the new academic year with the Kornblau Real Estate and Risk Management and Insurance programs! Connect with fellow students, alumni and industry partners while enjoying complimentary refreshments. Business casual attire is encouraged, and free street and deck parking is available.

Experience life as a Ram! Bring your family and supporters and join us on campus for a Fall Open House — an immersive, all-day event designed for students considering applying to VCU.

As the event approaches, registrants will receive important details about parking, check-in and the full schedule of events. Open Houses are rain or shine!

Come see what life is like as a Ram! RSVP now and take the first step toward becoming unstoppable.

Event schedule

• 7:30 a.m. - Check-in begins at the Siegel Center
• 8–9 a.m. Resource Fair at the Siegel Center
• 9–9:30 a.m. Welcome from the Office of Admissions
• 9:30–11:30 a.m. - Explore academic schools and majors across campus
• 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. - Attend breakout sessions and panels on Admissions, Honors, Study Abroad and more at the University Student Commons

Explore the VCU School of Business

From 9:30–11:30 a.m., visit Snead Hall and learn how VCU Business shapes the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.

• Attend a session with the Dean, staff, alumni and current students
• Take tours with student guides
• Browse the resource fair and explore our programs

Parking

Complimentary parking will be available at the following decks:

• Jefferson Street Deck - 100 S. Jefferson Street
• West Broad Street Deck - 1111 W. Broad Street
• West Main Street Deck - 801 W. Main Street
• West Cary Street Deck - 1201 W. Cary Street

Experience life as a Ram! Bring your family and supporters and join us on campus for a Fall Open House — an immersive, all-day event designed for students considering applying to VCU.

As the event approaches, registrants will receive important details about parking, check-in and the full schedule of events. Open Houses are rain or shine!

Come see what life is like as a Ram! RSVP now and take the first step toward becoming unstoppable.

Event schedule

• 7:30 a.m. - Check-in begins at the Siegel Center
• 8–9 a.m. Resource Fair at the Siegel Center
• 9–9:30 a.m. Welcome from the Office of Admissions
• 9:30–11:30 a.m. - Explore academic schools and majors across campus
• 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. - Attend breakout sessions and panels on Admissions, Honors, Study Abroad and more at the University Student Commons

Explore the VCU School of Business

From 9:30–11:30 a.m., visit Snead Hall and learn how VCU Business shapes the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.

• Attend a session with the Dean, staff, alumni and current students
• Take tours with student guides
• Browse the resource fair and explore our programs

Parking

Complimentary parking will be available at the following decks:

• Jefferson Street Deck - 100 S. Jefferson Street
• West Broad Street Deck - 1111 W. Broad Street
• West Main Street Deck - 801 W. Main Street
• West Cary Street Deck - 1201 W. Cary Street

Stop by for free donuts and coffee, meet Dean Brown, faculty and staff and learn about student success resources.

Make an impact during Snead Week! In partnership with Start 1 Spark, assemble school supply kits for local students while connecting with the Snead community through a fun, hands-on volunteer experience.

Explore VCU Business student organizations and campus resources. Meet student leaders, discover ways to get involved and find your community at VCU Business!

Day 2 is on Thursday, Sept. 3 from 2–5 p.m.

Compete in the first sales competition of the year — the Quick Pitch! You’ll have 60-90 seconds to pitch yourself for an outside sales associate position at Carter Machinery. Prize money is up for grabs, and dinner is included.

Build your network and meet students, faculty, staff and alumni. Hear from Dean Brown about priorities for the year ahead, practice your networking skills and make new connections.

Compete in the Fastenal National Sales Invitational, a national sales competition sponsored by Fastenal, a gold sponsor of the VCU Center for Professional Selling.

The first round will be held on campus, with the top two students advancing to the second round of the national competition. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Registration is required by Sept. 18 to compete.

Grab a free coffee or tea and spend your afternoon connecting with industry professionals from CoStar and Hamilton Select. Learn more about careers in real estate and risk management and insurance, ask questions and build your professional network in a casual setting.

Get an inside look at the Evening M.B.A. through a brief program overview and live panel featuring current students. Hear why they chose VCU, what surprised them about the program and how the Evening M.B.A. is helping them work toward their goals.

Whether you’re considering an M.B.A. or simply want to know what the student experience is really like, this is your opportunity to hear directly from those living it.

New to VCU Business as a transfer student? Stop by to get connected and learn how to make the most of your time at Snead Hall. Meet fellow transfer students, discover helpful resources and ways to get involved, ask questions and grab a goodie while you’re there!

The Department of Business Essentials and the Office of Student Engagement are excited to welcome you to the FREE Excel Skills for Business Workshop on Friday, Oct. 2. 

Build confidence with essential functions, learn to manipulate and analyze larger data sets and prepare for upper-level BUSN courses that require more advanced Excel skills.

Lunch is included, and space is limited — register early to reserve your spot!

Take your STEM skills to Spain! Learn about Global STEMConverge, a study abroad program where VCU Business students work in interdisciplinary teams with VCU Engineering students and peers from the University of Córdoba to tackle real-world challenges.

Open to undergraduate students majoring in Information Systems and Supply Chain Management.

Join us to learn about Global Gateway — experience-rich, one-credit study abroad opportunities that give students exposure to various design thinking elements, business practices, multidisciplinary collaborations and unique cultural excursions.

Come learn about the summer 2027 International Consulting Program (ICP), where students earn six credits while engaging in consulting projects for real clients across two continents!

Join us for a Dean’s Research Seminar with Linda Fernandez, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Economics with a joint appointment in the VCU Center for Environmental Studies, presenting “Revealed Preferences of a Public Bank Investing in Environmental Infrastructure” (abstract below).

Faculty and staff RSVP: Please RSVP by noon this Thursday, Sept. 17, by confirming 'Yes' to the forthcoming Google calendar invite. Lunch will include burritos.

Abstract: Investment decisions by The North American Development Bank (NADBank) over 30 years offer empirical context to follow McFadden (1975) and Sen (1977) in utilizing observed decisions for revealing preferences by a public institution. NADBank, with funding by U.S. and Mexico formalized in international trade side agreements (NAFTA/USMCA), has a mandate for environmental infrastructure investment.

While qualitative critiques suggest NADBank spending has been slow [(Kass and McCarroll, 2008),(U.S. GAO, 2000)], there has not been formal quantitative analysis of NADBank. Econometric analysis helps determine statistically significant factors for infrastructure investment with 30 years of panel data across varied geographic locations and different timing of development and completion of the projects.

Results show NADBank follows sound financial management in several ways. Statistically significant portfolio diversification across project type (water, solid waste, air pollution), controlling for cost, population served, state and time fixed affects persists over time. Preference for investment to address transboundary environmental quality in shared airsheds and watersheds is statistically significant, thereby meeting NADBank’s original mandate. The polluter pays principle results with statistical significance in decomposing directional investment in upstream versus downstream locations of transboundary infrastructure.

Further investigation into decisions between financial instruments (loans versus grants) reveals NADBank tailors financing to differences in project characteristics and potential repayment capacity.

Make an impact alongside fellow VCU students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners during VCU Fall Day of Service 2026. Choose from a variety of service opportunities across Richmond and Henrico, including community cleanups, outdoor projects, youth and family support, event assistance and more.

VCU Day of Service brings the university community together to support organizations already making a difference throughout the region while building stronger community partnerships.

VCU Staff: Eligible employees may use Enhanced Community Service Hours to participate.

Spaces may be limited. Explore available service opportunities and register for the project that interests you.

St. Joseph’s Villa (Indoor/Outdoor)
Register to Volunteer

Richmond Hill – Morning in the Garden (Outdoor)
Register to Volunteer

The Underground Kitchen Community First – Pack Hope & Share Care (Indoor)
Register to Volunteer

VCU Health Hub at 25th-Hygiene Kit Assembly (Indoor)
Register to Volunteer

Mary & Frances Youth Center – Clothing Drive Event (Indoor)
Register to Volunteer

Richmond Public Schools – Carver Elementary School (Outdoors)
Registration link coming soon

SOAR365 – Donor Dinner Set-Up Crew (Indoor)
Register to Volunteer

Happily Natural Farms – Sankofa Community Orchard (Outdoor)
Please scroll down to select Oct. 1
Register to Volunteer

Barton Heights & Shockoe Hill Cemeteries – Parks & Recreation (Outdoor)
Register to Volunteer

Henrico County – Cheswick Park Trail Restoration (Outdoor)
Register to Volunteer

Henrico County – Henrico Lawn Care Assistance Project (Outdoor)
Register to Volunteer

City of Richmond – Oak Grove Community Cleanup & Fair (Outdoor)
*Spanish speakers needed
Register to Volunteer

City of Richmond – Armstrong Renaissance: Bingo, Beats & Safer Streets (Indoor)
Register to Volunteer

City of Richmond – Fuchsia Freedom Garden Spruce Up (Outdoor)
Register to Volunteer

The Economics Seminar Series brings guest speakers from universities, government agencies and research institutions around the world to VCU Business to share current research across a range of economic topics.

Join us for a research seminar with Ami Ko, Ph.D., of Georgetown University, presenting “Intergenerational Time Transfers: Altruism and Strategic Motives within the Family.”

Abstract

Extended families provide a large share of both childcare for young children and long-term care (LTC) for elderly parents. These intergenerational time transfers are often bidirectional over the life cycle, raising the question of whether they reflect altruism or strategic exchange. We study the motives underlying these transfers and their policy implications.

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study and plausibly exogenous variation in childcare costs, we document evidence consistent with implicit family contracts in which early child care assistance is later reciprocated through elderly care. Motivated by these findings, we build and estimate a dynamic non-cooperative model of an extended family that chooses care arrangements, labor supply, savings, and bequests under both altruistic and strategic motives.

The estimated model shows that strategic motives play an important role in shaping the intertemporal linkage between childcare and LTC. These dynamics generate policy spillovers across care sectors. Child care subsidies crowd out grandparental childcare and reduce the future LTC provided by adult children, whereas policies that condition old-age benefits on past childcare provision strengthen family-based care in both stages.

Overall, the results highlight how dynamic family incentives shape caregiving and mediate the effects of care policies.

Considering a career in advertising or branding? Join a virtual information session to learn how VCU Brandcenter can help launch your career. We’ll cover our graduate program and four concentrations — Art Direction, Copywriting, Creative Brand Management and Strategy — along with career outcomes, the admissions process and more.

Bring your questions for a Q&A at the end of the session. Register in advance to receive the Zoom link.

The Economics Seminar Series brings guest speakers from universities, government agencies and research institutions around the world to VCU Business to share current research across a range of economic topics.

Professor Lee Lockwood from the University of Virginia will present "Long-Run Intergenerational Effects of Social Security"

Abstract

Both historically and today, support of aging parents has largely taken the form of in-kind transfers that require physical proximity, such as housing and caregiving. If Social Security substitutes for such support, it can relax constraints on where recipients’ children live and work.

We investigate the long-run intergenerational effects of the early Social Security program, exploiting within-occupation, cross-industry differences in coverage and a new dataset linking parents to their children’s later-life outcomes. We find that sons whose parents had greater predicted coverage moved farther from their childhood homes, earned more, and lived in better neighborhoods late in life. We find no such effects for daughters, who tended to provide forms of support less easily replaced by Social Security.

The gains considerably exceeded the associated Social Security benefits for the average family, with migration to better-matched labor markets a likely key driver. We propose that the early program enabled families to realize gains from migration that were back-loaded, uncertain, and difficult to contract on.

Choosing a graduate business degree is an important investment in your future — but which path is right for you?

Join VCU School of Business for an interactive webinar comparing our M.B.A. and seven specialized master’s programs. Explore the differences between developing broad business and leadership skills through an M.B.A. and building deeper expertise in a specific field through a specialized master’s degree.

You’ll gain a better understanding of each path and the options available at VCU Business so you can determine which graduate degree best aligns with your career goals, interests and next steps.

Thinking about a graduate degree in business but unsure how to finance it? Join VCU Business Graduate Studies and the VCU Financial Success Center by Virginia Credit Union for a virtual session on Oct. 20 at noon.

Explore your financing options, get answers to common financial questions and learn practical strategies to help you confidently plan for your graduate degree at VCU Business.

Join the VCU School of Business as we celebrate our December 2026 graduates and their accomplishments. Family, friends and members of the VCU Business community are invited to recognize the Class of 2026 as they mark this exciting milestone and begin their next chapter.

Guest tickets are not required for this event. For more information, visit business.vcu.edu/commencement.

Explore VCU Business student organizations and campus resources. Meet student leaders, discover ways to get involved and find your community at VCU Business!

Day 1 is on Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 12–3 p.m.