Senior Experience Explained
- Businesses and organizations propose a project by submitting an application. A fee of $1,500 per project is requested. Submissions are due no later than June 15 for the Fall semester and November 15 for the Spring semester.
- The program director will arrange a meeting at the company site to review the project and the program.
- The sponsor is notified whether or not there is an available team match by August 30 for the Fall semester and January 30 for the Spring semester.
- Projects are reviewed to determine the appropriateness of the type and level of work for a student team. The company sponsor will be contacted to gain a better understanding of the project’s definition and focus.
- Faculty members are matched to the projects, based on experience and interest.
- Student teams indicate preferences for projects and are matched, based on qualifications and interest.
- For the matched projects, the teams do detailed company and industry research relevant to their project in advance of contacting the company.
- The team meets with the company contact and draws up a Letter of Engagement, detailing the specific outcomes or deliverables, the milestones and reporting mechanisms, the intended use of the project results, as well as details of engagement.
- The team meets weekly with their faculty supervisor and as often as needed with their company sponsor.
- Over approximately a 12-week period, the students will complete their work and write a final report and do a project presentation. The work product is wholly owned by the sponsoring company and confidentiality of private data is ensured.
A Senior Experience Trade Show is held each semester in which each student team will display and explain their work. Company sponsors and members of the business community are invited.
