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Achieving success in business doesn’t confine you to one state, or even the U.S.

For Liam Foley, this is one of the most intriguing lessons he’s gained at the ��������Ƶ School of Management (SOM), where he’s determined to tackle complex challenges and stand out as an innovative thinker. And he hasn’t wasted any time: just one week into his first year, he founded the Binghamton International Business Club.

The club’s goal: empowering fellow students to explore careers worldwide and build global mindsets in whatever discipline they choose to pursue.

“International business is kind of a wide topic, but think about it: lots of businesses in this country have connections overseas, some in ways you might never think of. Building that global perspective can be a valuable skill, whether you want to work in New York, in Denver, or in Europe,” said Foley, a sophomore accounting major concentrating in management information systems with a minor in Italian.

Foley believes everyone should step out of their comfort zone and explore new cultures, whether by studying a different language or by connecting with like-minded peers in student clubs. In his free time, Foley enjoys challenging himself to meet new people and build language skills in Italian and German.

“Not only do you need to understand how the American economy works, but if you want to expand your business into European markets, you need to understand how their economy works,” he said. “Connecting with diverse cultures to create more opportunities is easier than ever in today’s business world.”

Building connections

The International Business Club’s membership has grown to approximately 290 Binghamton students, and it has cultivated a network of more than 50 professionals across a variety of areas in some 20 countries — including SOM’s extensive alumni base overseas.

As someone pursuing a CPA and eventually a law degree, Foley believes the club is an excellent space for students interested in pursuing law or economics. Moving products across borders or communicating with international parties is a significant aspect of international business, encompassing trade, tariffs, regulations, and geopolitical issues.

Foley’s goal is to develop a strong mentorship program within the club, launch a case competition with an international firm, and develop a professional development program that effectively supplements the missing international business concentration.

While Foley’s fascination with the international business community didn’t materialize overnight, he credits Binghamton’s ability to foster student creativity for helping it come to fruition. A passion for entrepreneurship and solving real-world problems is what drew him to Binghamton’s School of Management.

“I wanted to do business because it has a higher ROI, and when I came here, I knew I wanted to start something,” Foley said. “To me, it’s about embracing the challenge when it comes to executing your ideas, and how you can learn something no matter how it plays out.”

In February, Foley attended a roundtable discussion with SOM graduate Shari Littan ’86, who shared how holding both a CPA and a law degree transformed her perspective on accounting as the assistant chief counsel in the Office of the Chief Auditor at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). This showed Foley a way to successfully mix law and business.

Putting business skills to the test

Foley believes case competitions are one of the best arenas for students to build confidence and gain experience. During a recent competition, which involved strategizing three solutions to pitch to Nike, Foley designed a Nike hub app in Figma that allowed users to personalize it to their own interests — running, bicycling, basketball, for example — rather than downloading separate apps.

Foley encourages business students to experiment and look for opportunities to create something from scratch. Earlier this year, over winter break, he learned Notion, an all-in-one productivity workspace app. Using it has enabled him to improve his organization in academics, career prep, and his personal life, allowing him to automate workflows and stay ahead of his obligations.

“Finding something that’s interesting to you, whether it’s in finance or consulting or accounting, is great for the résumé,” he said, “but it’s also great for the skills you build, the teamwork. That’s the kind of experience you’ll carry with you wherever you end up.”