Local Businesses As Learning Labs
ASBTDC provides experiential, collaborative learning opportunities for students in partnership with its host universities and local businesses.
These “Real World Classroom” high-impact learning experiences enhance the academic curriculum.
Instructors integrate the projects into their courses to bring life to the academic content and give students opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge. While students get a taste of a real business environment, business owners get innovative ideas and insight while giving back.
How It Works
- University faculty identify topics aligning with course objectives for the semester. Past project topics have included marketing plans, financial analysis, management and human resources issues, and operational advancements.
- ASBTDC recruits local businesses that match faculty requests and facilitates communication between faculty and students and the businesses. All projects are free and confidential for the participating businesses. Students sign an agreement to abide by university and ASBTDC standards about confidentiality and conflicts of interest.
- Working in groups or solo, students get direction and support from ASBTDC staff as well as their instructors and can use the range of ASBTDC resources, such as valuable market research.
- Students present their work to the business, typically at the end of the semester.
- If a business needs help implementing the students’ recommendations, it can work with an ASBTDC consultant.
Benefits
The businesses get concrete ideas and analysis they can apply to their operations, but they also recognize the value of the experience they are providing to students. Many participating business owners are eager to share their knowledge and entrepreneurship experience and view their involvement as a way to support their local university.
Students build career and life skills such as time management, business communications, professionalism, and teamwork. They also learn about confidentiality and business ethics.