Nicholls professor teaches purpose of business through the Aim to Flourish project

The assistant professor of management, Chris Castille, wants to teach his student that there is more to business than money through the Aim to Flourish project.

Castile did not create the Aim to Flourish project but said that it has been around for some time now.

He learned about it at Rutgers University where he previously taught.   

“The aim of the project is to give students an opportunity to sort of break the ice, going out and networking, and getting to know businesses in the area,” Castille said.

The project is required for all students taking Castille’s Management 370 class.

Management 370 is a human relations and interpersonal skills class.  

According to Castille, the project requires students to go out and talk to local businesses. Through this, students are able to gain knowledge of why the businesses excel in their fields.

Students are also required to find out what those businesses are doing that benefits society.  

Castille said he assigns the project for several reasons because it helps students work together as a team. He also wants students to understand that business is not just about profit.

The Aim to Flourish project gives students the opportunity to network with local businesses.

Students meet with businesses that are doing new things in alignment with the United Nations sustainability goals.   

Last year, one group of students worked with a company that was dedicated to cleaning up the BP oil spill. The students worked towards six of the 17 UN sustainability goals.

The goals included clean water and sanitation, life below water and life above water. Afterwards, the students presented their findings to the class.

Castille said that he wants his students to know that business is about more than making money.

“We need to get students to recognize that businesses should have a purpose,” Castille said.