2009 Headlines
Johnson School Launches MBA Project Initiative
Fills Critical Need for Companies, Offers Valuable Experience for Students
May 12, 2009 | Ithaca, NY | The Johnson School has recently launched the MBA Project Initiative to match MBA students and graduates with companies seeking assistance this summer on projects. The eight- to ten-week summer projects will help companies complete work that they may not have internal resources to carry out while providing legitimate work experience and compensation for students as they continue to search for a permanent job or seek internship experience before the second year of the MBA program. Through outreach to alumni, corporate and university partners, recruiters, and local start-ups and non-profits, the Johnson School has sourced over 90 projects that could employ 100 students.
The program is designed and coordinated by the Johnson School's Projects Office, launched in 2007 to manage incoming project requests from companies and help match projects to Johnson School faculty champions and students who could complete the work. To participate, companies must identify a project sponsor who will develop the scope the project, identify the deliverables, determine pay if applicable, select student(s) and supervise the work. "When working with companies to develop the scope of the projects, we looked for opportunities that will utilize MBAs' skills and abilities and provide business value to the company," commented Candace Maxian, manager of the Projects Office. "This initiative offers a win-win for companies and students: Companies gain access to talented individuals who can move a project forward, and students gain work experience that's not just a resume filler."
Projects include opportunities at PepsiCo International, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, as well as positions throughout Cornell University, at a host of entrepreneurial start-ups, and several Ithaca-based companies and non-profits. "The tight job market has forced students, career management offices, and companies to get creative about finding and filling employment needs," commented Karin Ash, director of the Johnson School's Career Management Center. "Flexibility is key. We have always looked at new ways to engage with recruiters and companies that don't fit the standard MBA internship or full-time recruitment mold. This year's MBA Project Initiative allows companies and students to manage their just-in-time hiring and employment needs more efficiently."
For more information or to sponsor a project, contact Candace Maxian at ProjectsOffice@Cornell.edu or 607-255-0161.
