An inside look at the new Bloomberg Terminals in the School of Business that grant students hands-on access

In Liberty University’s School of Business building, students looking for a career in business have gained access to more resources to prepare them for their professional careers.

The Bloomberg Terminals are one of the many new resources that equip the School of Business. The Bloomberg service is one of the most used and highly regarded systems for the financial marketplace, and it offers news, price quotes and messaging across its secure network.

The School of Business houses 12 of these terminals in the BB&T Trading Room and is one of four locations in central Virginia utilizing this computer system. While Liberty University online students do not have access to this software, residential students are offered access with faculty supervision.

Dr. Stacie Rhodes, the executive director of the Center for Financial Literacy, assists with the Financial Planning program administration and has knowledge on the software. 

“Thankfully, having access to this software gives our students the availability to compete with some truly top-tier universities,” Rhodes said. “We are lucky enough to give our students a training opportunity to pull ahead in competing for potential positions.”

The terminals are integrated with their own unique keyboards and processes. To learn how to navigate and operate the system, the user must take a learning certification program called Bloomberg Marketing Concepts. Liberty gives students the ability to take the program at no cost.

Business students can gain an upper hand on other graduates by adding the Bloomberg Terminal training to their résumés. Kurt Cornfield, an associate professor in the Financial Planning field, spoke on the significance of having this certification.

“If a person can tell their potential employers that they were trained on a Bloomberg in their undergraduate work, that will give them a distinct advantage,” Cornfield said. “Not every possible employee has the opportunity to work with some of the distinct resources that are essential to
business today.”

Rhodes said the terminals are not just for the business and financial planning industry. The research database also provides healthcare information, which can potentially open doors for students beyond the School of Business. 

“By bringing in the terminals, we are putting together toolkits for our students that will enhance experiences and bring them distinguishing assets that will set them apart,” Rhodes said. 

The Bloomberg Terminals equip students to be talented in the workforce, but Liberty and the School of Business emphasizes integrating faith equally as much. 

“Business is an opportunity to pour back into our environment and serve,” Rhodes said. “If we can bring the faith integration into our community, we can change the character of our students and the quality of our employees.”

The Liberty University School of Business teaches from a Christian perspective, instilling character, integrity and ethics into a student who will make a difference in the workforce. 

Edmonds is a news reporter. Follow her on Twitter.