Pro Bono Consulting

Georgia Tech's Pro Bono Consulting Program is aimed at helping not-for-profit organizations based in Atlanta resolve key strategic challenges. We are also committed to providing exceptional educational and personal growth opportunities for motivated student participants.

Program Overview

Teams

Student teams are comprised of MBAs, PhDs, and other graduate students with diverse backgrounds. Participating students apply, are interviewed, and are selected for the program. Each selected applicant has demonstrated a solid track record of scholastic, extracurricular, and professional achievements. Our student consultants are well-rounded, down-to-earth individuals with strong problem solving, and leadership skills. These skills are paired with an exceptional motivation to learn and deliver actionable results to our clients.

Project Definition

Projects are conducted over 15 weeks during the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Prior to undertaking a project, we work together with our clients to set expectations and define deliverables. All projects are evaluated against our dual-goal mission and are approved by the client representatives, the consulting team, and program leaders, as well as advising faculty from Scheller College of Business. Projects must have a defined problem and defined scope, addressing a specific need. Upon completion, clients will receive a presentation of findings with the expectation that results will be considered for implementation by key organizational decision makers.

Implementation and Impact

We pride ourselves on providing solutions that are practical and easy to implement. Our teams, while independent, work closely with the clients’ staff and management. This approach enables us to better grasp underlying issues, gather feedback on our work, and adjust our approach early in the process, and finally, arrive at actionable solutions that our clients are prepared to implement. Project workload is expected to average 30 – 45 hours per week across the team of student consultants. The length of projects should range from 12 – 16 weeks.

Project Timeline

Prior to Project Kickoff:
Clients and students will be notified of acceptance into the program. Teams will be finalized and resumes will be submitted to the client.

Week 1 through Week 2:
Teams will meet with the client to finalize the project scope.

Week 3 through Week 6:
Teams will focus on collecting necessary data to work toward formulating recommendations and any agreed-upon deliverables.

Week 7 through Week 8:
Mid-project presentation – date to be set by client and student consulting team.

Week 9 through Week 14:
Teams will focus on completing any outstanding recommendations and deliverables. Feedback from the mid-project presentation is expected to be integrated.

Week 15 through Week 16:
Final presentation and wrap-up--date to be set by client and student consulting team.

Support and Communication

Individual or team contact must be defined and available on a consistent basis for student consulting team support. The level of data and resource support will be determined based on project scope.

Application Process

Pre-Semester Work
Project scope and terms are presented to Pro Bono Consulting Program Leaders a minimum of four weeks prior to the semester beginning. Terms must be reviewed and agreed on at least four weeks prior to the semester's start.

Team Selection
The application process for students will open one month prior to course registration.

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Past Projects

Contact

Faculty Advisor
Dr. Terry Blum
Email: terry.blum@ile.gatech.edu