What is a cluster?
The Industry Clusters are designed as an MBA-like experience for undergraduates who are highly motivated to jump start their career and want to understand the marketplace in which they will do business in the future. The clusters employ an experiential learning model. This involves a high degree of student engagement, case studies, and collaborative problem solving in the form of team projects/presentations that help students develop skills in topical research, project management, business presentations, and preparation of business reports. In addition to course work, a co-curricular component of the Cluster model provides Cluster students with professional skills to succeed in the job market after graduation.
For Students:
How does a cluster work?
Students admitted into a cluster will start cluster-specific activities in the autumn semester of their junior year. A faculty adviser for the cluster will choose alumni and industry experts from the cluster-specific industry, who will interact with students and deliver experiences relevant to the theme of the cluster. These experiences may be in the form of case discussions, solving problems, discussing current events, or working on projects. This program is designed to be one year in length, with an opportunity to do projects for the companies represented in the spring semester. It allows for students to gain valuable knowledge about their future careers, understand the marketplace where they plan to do business, and provide them with a network of business professionals to help them be more competitive for job-seeking opportunities.
For Executives:
Benefits of Participation?
As a participant in the Industry Clusters Program, a variety of benefits are available. First, the program will provide an opportunity to participate in a four month project with tangible results. Second, the program will offer potential creative solutions derived from student perspectives. Finally, the cluster will provide access to future talent.
What does Participation mean?
As a participant in the Middle Market Industry Clusters Program, companies are responsible for providing a project for a team of 4-5 students during the Spring Semester. Companies are also encouraged to provide a lecture about a relevant Middle Market topic and host a site visit to the assigned student team.
Sample Course Schedule :
Autumn 2014 Semester
- One classroom visit with guest presentation
- Host one on-site visit for assigned student team
Spring 2015 Semester
- Provide a project for assigned student team
- Provide support to assigned student teams through in-person visits or conference calls
- Participate in feedback session with assigned student team on project results