SI-MBA Practicum Project

Project Development 

Practicum projects begin with a brief project proposal developed collaboratively between the SI-MBA program and Host Organization, including the following elements:

1. Project Title
2. Name of the Host Organization
3. Point Person(s) in Host Organization
4. Background on Host Organization (1-2 paragraphs)
5. Brief description of the Sustainable Innovation Challenge/Project (1-2 paragraphs)
6. Travel Expectations

Practicum Design

A good practicum project is one that is feasible (can be accomplished within the timeline), and meaningful (offers students the opportunity to apply their training and knowledge in a way that can have real impact). The project should be a “mutual value” proposition— valuable for both the student team (from a learning point of view) and the host organization (from a business point of view).

Ideally, practicum projects will either help initiate or give momentum to an important business initiative or strategy that the host organization would like to continue beyond the Practicum Project time frame. This would open the potential for continued engagement or even employment by the students after graduation in August. Such continued engagement can be facilitated through a Post- Graduate Consulting Project, which is described in detail in a separate document.

Project Outcomes

The final product (deliverable) for the practicum will depend on the scope and objectives of the project. UVM SI-MBA recommends a comprehensive and actionable business/action plan delivered to the Host Organization, the program Directors, and the faculty advisor(s) for each project. This may include a Written Report with an Executive Summary and a final Presentation Slide Deck, and/or other deliverables as agreed upon with the host. As students work with their host organizations and advisors to scope the project, they will come to a mutual agreement on expectations and deliverables.

Roles and Responsibilities For Host Organizations:

• Point Person. The Host is expected to assign at least one “point person” who takes responsibility for working with the student team and faculty advisor on the project.
• Access to Information. The Host is expected to provide full and timely access to information and people critical to the success of their practicums. This includes making the necessary introductions for field-based projects, and helping students make the necessary arrangements.
• Preliminary Meeting. We recommend that students and hosts first meet in December or January. This is an opportunity for hosts to provide a clear idea of what the goals and objectives of the project are and to set expectations regarding communication and access to information throughout the spring semester.
• Kickoff Presentation. These will take place in mid-May and are an opportunity for students to frame the project and work plan. The goal of this presentation is to further align on focus and scope. We recommend a follow up meeting for hosts to provide feedback and set expectations for the summer.
• Check-Ins. The Host agrees to participate in regular check-in calls or meetings with the students, as the project dictates, and (as needed) including the advisor to assess student progress.
• Expenses. The Host is expected to pay for any travel and/or living expenses for the students if the practicum project involves time and effort away from Burlington, Vermont. If the students are asked to bear any of the initial costs (e.g. paying for hotels and local expenses), they must be reimbursed for these expenses by the end of the practicum.
• Final Presentations. The host commits to being available for the Final Practicum Project Presentation on in late July. If circumstances allow, this will take place in person in Burlington, VT.
• Feedback: We ask that the Host Organization provide feedback throughout the process during regular check ins, as well as complete a brief on-line feedback form about the practicum project experience to help us to continue to improve the experience for students and hosts. We also ask that you schedule a debrief meeting with the student team in mid-August to close out the project and give feedback.
• Confidentiality. All students, faculty, and other representatives from Host Organizations who are present for the pitches and final reports will sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).