Partner FAQ’s

1. What is a project mentor?

Project mentors are individuals who mentor their team of students throughout the duration of the project. Mentors are responsible for attending their project team meetings, communicating project goals and organization information, and providing guidance and mentorship to their student team(s). Each team will also be assigned an MBS Faculty Advisor.

2. How do I become a partner/mentor?

Please fill out our project proposal form linked under the “Become a Partner” button to submit a project or contact us for more details. Once submitted, a representative from the program will reach out to you regarding the status of your application.

3. Are there costs associated with becoming a partner?

There are no financial costs associated with becoming a partner. We value the exchange of talent provided by our students and the opportunity for them to learn from each partner’s experience and mentorship.

4. Can I partner with the program for more than one semester?

Yes! We always welcome mentors back for additional semesters. In the past, we’ve had mentors partner with us for multiple projects, and we value the long-term relationship we have with every organization. Please note that working with us on multiple projects or over multiple semesters is not a requirement to partner with us!

Student Teams

1. How are students selected for my project?

Prior to their acceptance into the program, students provide information such as their field of study, GPA, technical skills, and project topic interest(s). Student teams are assigned based on the project scope and are uniquely suited to meet the needs of our partners and projects.

2. Will students be considered employees of my organization?

No, students will not be considered employees. Our program is set up differently than an internship opportunity, and students will not have to go through human resources or be hired for their participation. Students are permitted to list their experience on their resume, Linked In, and other professional platforms. The language used when listing their experience is approved by the program, reflects their experience and participation in the project, and will reflect that they are not employees of your organization.

3. How many students are on a team?

We try to match about 4-8 students to each project. However, the final number assigned to each project depends on the availability and interests of our student applicants each semester. 

4. What type of students do you admit into your program?

Our program is run through the Master of Business and Science program (MBS). We accept MBS students and undergraduate students majoring in a business or STEM-related area.

1. What are some examples of past projects?

Our project areas include topics such as data analysis, marketing, business strategy website/app prototyping, financial modeling and forecasting, competitor analysis, supply chain analysis, and cybersecurity, along with other areas that align with STEM/and or business focus. Some examples of past projects can be seen in our Past Projects.

2. What will students contribute to the project each week?

Each student is expected to contribute about 8-10 hours of work per week toward the project, including the weekly Externship Lab and their weekly project team meetings.

3. How are the projects set up?

We assign a team of about 4-8 students to your project, as well as a project advisor. Project advisors are individuals who work for the MBS program and are industry professionals in various fields. We assign 1-3 advisors to a project to assist in providing feedback, overseeing deliverables, managing the team, and attending all weekly meetings. The students and the
advisor(s) will choose one student to be the team lead, and this student will lead the team through the semester.

4. Can my organization host more than one project during a semester?

Yes! We have partners that host multiple projects a semester as long as there are students available for each project and the scope for each aligns with our program.