Level Up

• Students apply to the program with their top three projects chosen by 8 a.m. on Sept. 18.
• By Sept. 20, students will be matched with project teams. Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee projects because we are limited in availability. We will match students based on quality of application, interest, fit and seniority.
• Projects will begin the week of Sept. 30 with an initial meeting with host companies and will run for eight weeks, ending by Nov. 15.
• Students will be introduced to each other, companies and a series of resources to help guide them through projects.

Please view the application for this semester’s projects. Common project areas are:

• Market research: Collect, analyze and interpret data and information about consumers that a company may be interested in.
• Competitive analysis: Identify a company’s competitors and evaluate their strategies to determine strengths and weaknesses in comparison.
• Content creation and communications: Identify topics and then plan and develop written or creative content for a company, potentially including blog articles, website text, emails, marketing materials, brochures, videos, presentations, infographics, grant applications and more. 
• User experience testing: Trial, critically analyze and provide useful feedback on a company’s practices, designs and/or communications in order to improve their services or products. May also include surveys and observations of individuals and consumers.
• Business research: Find, evaluate and communicate data, information and insights for a business on a specific topic or field. This may include a type of product or service, a way to improve business communications or best practices for operations.
• Idea generation: Create, develop and communicate new thoughts or concepts that can help a business improve and meet their strategic goals.
• DEI strategy evaluation: Analyze and provide feedback on a company’s practices to help them cultivate a productive, engaging and inclusive workplace culture for their employees and/or customers.

• Must be an undergraduate student with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Must be a first-generation student. First-generation is defined as neither your parents/guardians nor you have received a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• All participants must complete an application through Career Services. Completed applications do not guarantee placement in the program.
• Students must commit to maintaining professionalism in communicating with companies and program administrators. 
• Each student is expected to spend 30 hours on their project, including attending meetings with the company and their project team.
• Project teams must submit a report and/or presentation of their project to the company.
• Participants must submit an evaluation of their experience at the end.
• Unfortunately, due to the short duration of these projects, they won’t work under CPT guidelines so international students won’t be able to work due to Visa restraints.

• Sharpen your resume: Internships and jobs often require that students have practical work-based experience already. Project work like this can be a stepping stone toward future opportunities and will be a strategic addition on your resume and in cover letters.
• Learn about yourself: Students report that work-based learning significantly helps them assess their own interests and skills. 
• Build skills: Skills are the currency of tomorrow’s workplace. Make sure you’re ready by developing and refining skills today. 
• Meet people and grow your network: Create connections with companies, fellow students and current professionals through these real-world projects.
• Empower yourself: Gain the confidence you need to succeed in professional roles.
• Be supported: You will have support in the form of pre-skilling options, research resources and staff for additional questions.