Student Profile

 

Mike Lightman
Senior Marketing
Minor: Computer Information Systems
Hometown: Pitman, New Jersey

Mike Lightman profile

This summer, Mike Lightman will be using his education to aid small business development halfway across the world. He is one of only four JMU graduates selected to go to Morocco this summer with the Peace Corps, where he will act as a consultant and teacher to local entrepreneurs and artisans.

Mike knew he always wanted to travel and experience new cultures, so when he heard about the Peace Corps from a friend, he knew it was for him. He never studied abroad. “I did not think I would get enough time to really learn the culture.”

With the Peace Corps, Mike will finally get that chance. For 27 months, he will live and work in Morocco, spending four or five hours each day learning the language and culture of the rural community. Mike says  he will also learn “more refined business practices and any medical and technical skills” that he may need while working with local entrepreneurs, groups and artisans.

When he first signed up for the Peace Corps, Mike was not sure how much his business education would come into play. But when he studied the objectives and mission of the Corps, he realized how much CoB has taught him.

“Many of my recent classes incorporated case studies into lectures, so I have ‘real life’ experience in dealing with business situations and applying theories to make accurate decisions.” Mike adds that with the exception of teaching, he has done everything on the Peace Corps task list in his classes.

After he finishes his work in Morocco, Mike plans to attend graduate school.