Harvard’s newest Business school dean, Nitin Nohria, has introduced a new method of learning called “Field Immersion Experiences for Leadership Development” (FIELD) which will require students to participate in exercises of campus. Although the second year of school is being determined, the first will include classes that help foster team building and collaboration. Students will also be required to work with a firm for one week with participating countries, and learn the practices of this company (140 firms already partnered with HBS). The last requirement, and most interesting, is student’s opportunity to create their own small companies. They will be given 8 weeks and 3,000 dollars each to launch their ideas. Winners will receive additional funding to continue their venture.



Although some student entering their first year at HBS and subjected to the new curriculum are unsure of whether it is an affective method of learning, Dean Nohria says that business majors need the same rounded and hands on education that law students and medical students receive.  Learning about business practices, financing and management issues cannot be solely theoretical and based upon case studies. There must be an experiential learning component that allows students to achieve tangible results before they enter the workforce.



Although we’ll have to wait 3-5 years to see if HBS’s new curriculum is truly effective in providing a quality business education it is an innovative and hands on approach that may lead the way for business schools across the country to implement similar methods.