Woody and Buzz, peanut butter and chocolate, Scooby and Shaggy and popcorn and butter are all examples of a long list of partnerships that work together to create a superior result. As evident, there is power in partnerships and their resulting benefits.

This power also exists between Delta Sigma Pi and its many corporate partners. For decades, the national Fraternity and our chapters have established partnerships with local, national and international corporations and organizations so students can gain experience before venturing out into the proverbial “real world.” And just like any strong relationship, the benefits of this collaboration are not one-sided.

Intellectual Capital

For participating companies, partnering with Delta Sigma Pi provides access to a wealth of intellectual capital. Students bring fresh perspectives to the corporations they work with, and this outsider’s view helps uncover solutions to sticky business problems. Working closely with students allows companies to find and recruit new talent from a pool of educated and experienced professionals.

Delta Sigma Pi offers corporate partners the opportunity to interact with business students looking for internships or post-graduation employment. However, what makes the Fraternity stand out to potential partners is its 285,000 members with approximately 6,000 new members each year being added to chapters spread across 40 states. Corporate partnerships provide companies with access to a pool of top talent that can be targeted according to specific interests and preferences. 

"We've been partnering with Delta Sigma Pi for over 15 years and are continually impressed with the quality of the students they send to our programs," said Mary Stankus, director of recruitment for The Fund For American Studies. 

In addition, Delta Sigma Pi has thousands of members serving as leaders in professional, governmental, and civic roles around the world. This offers corporate partners access to influential leaders with resources and connections that can promote products and services, as well as provide opportunities to connect with and hire driven, high-achieving business students and alumni.

Earning a Halo

While the business objective of a partnership is to reach a specific target audience, corporations obtain the added benefit of earning a "halo" for supporting a good cause. The favorability sponsorship delivers can give a business a competitive edge. 

"Our corporate partnership with Delta Sigma Pi has given us the opportunity to give back to our community and our local schools that we hire directly from in Southern California. We were so impressed with the students that came to the open house and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them!" said Kim Martin, talent acquisition manager at Enterprise Holdings.

Benefits of Partnership

Companies that partner with Delta Sigma Pi also have the benefit of being allowed to interact with students they may not normally encounter. In working with these targeted students, a company receives additional benefits beyond the basic productivity from assigned work. Examples include:

• An opportunity to get to know and work with students outside the classroom
• The reward of watching a group of students grow and develop individual skills and talents
• The opportunity to informally share knowledge on relevant topics and impart real world business lessons
• The feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment through making a special contribution to a group of students
• The opportunity to help guide students into their development as civically engaged adults

Attraction of Delta Sigma Pi

The attraction of corporate partners to Delta Sigma Pi is that its members have outstanding potential as future leaders who abide by the highest of moral standards and ethical values. In addition to being civic minded and leaders in their respective communities, Delta Sigma Pi members have a variety of soft skills of high business value -- taking initiative, planning and executing projects, being team players and communicating effectively.

"We've found brothers to be very engaging, well-versed with business acumen and prepared. We have also enjoyed conducting educational sessions, which allow us to pass on our knowledge to students on how to best be prepared to enter their job search with confidence. These students have maximized their collegiate careers by holding leadership positions in a variety of extracurricular activities, while at the same time staying focused on academics. Deltasigs show they can prioritize and balance their heavy workload and schedules, while still making time for community service -- values alliantgroup emphasizes in our company culture," said Kim Allen, director of talent for alliantgroup. 

Partnerships for the Win

While it could be argued that combining two great things doesn't always result in something better (some might argue the partnership of pineapple and pizza), it is obvious that corporate partnerships are a win-win and work-work. Both for the Fraternity and the company, success depends on the two working together to ensure each other’s achievements. That is why Delta Sigma Pi approaches each partnership as a joint venture, working with each partner to create a customized program to meet the needs of the individual company. What works for one partner is not always going to work for the next.

Fraternity Executive Director Bill Schilling, summarized this idea when he said, “Delta Sigma Pi recognizes the importance of having deep, meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships with our corporate partners. Our members want to learn and obtain business experience, an opportunity our corporate partners can provide.” At the same time, partnering with Delta Sigma Pi provides companies an opportunity to showcase their employer brand to potential talent and highlight their industry expertise. “It really is a win-win,” added Schilling.

To learn more about how your company can partner with Delta Sigma Pi, visit dsp.org/becomeapartner.


GEICO has been a longtime partner of Delta Sigma Pi. At the 2017 Grand Chapter Congress in New Orleans, the GEICO Gecko joined Lauren Boyda and Abigail Peters, both Kent State (OH), at the Grand President's Dance.

 
In 2019, brothers from Cal Poly-Pomona, Loyola-Marymount (CA) and Cal State-Fullerton visited the Enterprise Holdings Southern California Headquarters. This half-day workshop allowed brothers to learn about job and internship opportunities, network and discuss professional topics. 


Diane Arthur with Delta Sigma Pi partner IES Abroad engaged with Minneapolis LEAD School attendees and answered questions about their programs abroad that help Deltasigs create a network and gain hands-on experience in their field of study.