A new club on Oswego State’s campus this year offers students an opportunity to work with local businesses and apply knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world situations.

Supply Chain and Operation Management Club, was founded last spring, but is officially registered with the college for the first time this semester. The club’s founders, David A. Cronmiller and Alexa Thornton have both since graduated, but their club is in the process of taking off.

Club members help revitalize local businesses using their business management skills from class. SCOPE’s president, Julien Doucet, said the club is still in early phases, but progress is being made. The club has been in contact with the Small Business Development Center in Rich Hall.

“We received contacts for two companies so far,” Doucet said. “We’re in the process of learning how to speak with them.”

The companies are Sherlock Industries, a hardwood floor finishing company and Hart and Stone, a restaurant and general store. Doucet said the club has exchanged phone calls and emails with both businesses. SCOPE created a business analysis that was sent to both companies. It is used to determine the needs of each business and learn the goals they may have.

SCOPE’s vice president, Landyn Traffas, believes the club could be beneficial to businesses who choose to use it.

“Right now we’re just trying to find more out,” Traffas said. “We’re trying to see where they need help or where they’re struggling.” He added that the club’s other mission at this time is to help its members get real-world experience.

“We’re trying to help the companies and help the community,” Doucet said. “We want to extend the classroom to the real world.”

SCOPE currently has about 20 members, including the five member E-board. The board consists of Doucet and Traffas, along with Kate Whiteman, who heads human resources, secretary Eric Cash and treasurer Mike Burke. The board meets on Monday evenings, then again with the entire club on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in Rich 118A. They manage the club, but also work with the groups on projects with the businesses.

Burke believes SCOPE offers a unique opportunity for business majors.

“It’s a great way to get experience with real companies,” Burke said. “Especially if you haven’t had an internship, you get to practice in the real world. The classroom can only take you so far, you can’t overlook experience.”

He added that the club provides an opportunity for non-business majors to get involved as well. He said it provides students with an extra-curricular activity that could be used to boost their resumes. Burke mentioned that the club has had speakers come in that could be useful to all students, including one who spoke on how to write resumes, cover letters and offered tips on how to land an interview.

“SCOPE can help out any student,” Burke said. “Business major or not, it’s all about being involved in something beyond the classroom.”