MSU Students Want To Help Your Tech, Ad Problems -- Free
Several teams of Michigan State University undergraduates and master's students are ready and waiting to help mid-Michigan businesses and nonprofits solve some of their technology and advertising problems – for free.
As part of their spring semester coursework in several communications and business classes, the students are required to work in cross-functional teams, on real-world business problems. And they just need a few more volunteer "clients."
Here are a few of the opportunities for local businesses to work with the students:
Management of an IT project from start to finish – Teams of three or four undergraduate and graduate students will serve as IT consultants to various mid-Michigan companies. Each student group will analyze the business's current situation, determine the specifics of an IT project and implement a solution before April 30. Contact Constantinos Coursaris, Assistant Professor, Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media by e-mail at coursari@msu.edu no later than Jan. 24.
Management of advertising and promotion projects – Teams of six master's level students will serve as advertising consultants to various mid-Michigan companies. The team will analyze the business's position in the targeted market segment and will develop an advertising strategy based on the business's current needs by April 30. Participating organizations will receive a written market analysis and recommendations of various advertising and promotion programs. Contact Coursaris no later than Jan. 24.
Earlier projects have included design of Web sites and Web content management systems, database and workflow systems, wireless Web access and more.
Coursaris said the ideal project is "hands-on," with a well-defined outcome that can be achieved by three or four students in eight to 10 weeks.
