Twenty teams of Michigan State University students are ready and waiting to help mid-Michigan businesses and nonprofits solve their digital problems.
As part of their final course in their Information Technology Management Specialization, the students are required to work in cross-functional teams on a real-world information technology project. And they just need a few more volunteer “clients.”
Professors Constantinos Coursaris and Wietske van Osch, who are teaching the course through MSU’s Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media, say the students are capable of taking on a wide range of technology-related projects.
The teams are composed of students majoring in areas such as telecommunications, business and computer science.
Here are several examples of projects recently completed by student teams.
- Student teams designed and implemented content management systems for clients such as the Lansing Old Town Business and Arts Development Association and TechTown, Detroit’s research and technology development park along the Woodward corridor.
- A student team designed and implemented a new membership database for the Michigan Kiwanis Club using Microsoft Access.
- A team used Microsoft InfoPath to design and implement a workflow system for a petroleum distribution company.
- Students created a comprehensive social media strategy, initial presence, and maintenance plan for Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub.
Proposals are now being accepted through Jan. 31 from area organizations, including businesses, government and nonprofits for the spring 2014 semester.
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.