Question 1

Do I need to be a business major to join?

Accepted Answer

No. Ascend's mission is to support professional and social development for all UC Berkeley students regardless of gender, ethnicity, background, or major.

Question 2

What does joining a committee actually involve?

Accepted Answer

Each committee runs its own internal curriculum with events and workshops specific to that business sector. For example, the Accounting Committee hosts an Accounting 101 Workshop, an Excel Workshop, and an Intro to Personal Taxes session over the course of the semester.

Question 3

Is the mentorship program open to everyone?

Accepted Answer

No. To be eligible for the mentorship program, you must first be accepted as a committee member within Ascend. Once in, you are paired with a professional from an industry of your preference, drawn from firms including the Big Four, Merrill Lynch, Abbott, Clorox, and J.P. Morgan Chase.

Question 4

Does Ascend Berkeley do real consulting work for outside companies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ascend Consulting is a student-run management consulting arm that has worked with clients ranging from startups to corporations, providing services like product research, strategic management, sales and marketing research, and strategic partnerships. Past clients include FlexSolar (Spring 2022).

Question 5

What happens after joining a committee in terms of fees?

Accepted Answer

Once selected as a committee member, you are required to pay a $25 annual membership fee to the Ascend National Chapter plus $10 in club fees. This gives you access to the national member network spanning 60,000 members and 200 companies.

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