Academic Service Learning
IIT Stuart Academic Service Learning Program
Bright, motivated students providing pro bono service to Chicago businesses and non-profits
The Academic Service Learning Program offered by Illinois Institute of Technology's Stuart School of Business exemplifies our commitment to experience-based learning and is a key component of our graduate students' preparation for internships and ultimate career placements. And, in a challenging economic environment, IIT Stuart's Academic Service Learning Program offers your organization the opportunity to fill gaps and expand capacity - pro bono - with our capable, technically proficient business students.
IIT Stuart is one of only 568 institutions worldwide accredited by the prestigious AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). Our graduate business programs, including the MBA, Master of Science and Master of Public Administration programs, attract students from around the globe who study at IIT Stuart to gain a state-of-the-art business education that emphasizes the core concepts of strategic competitiveness.
How does Stuart's Academic Service Learning (ASL) Program work?
In collaboration with corporate and non-profit partners, each of our first-year student fulfills a 60-hour, semester-long work assignment. The nature of the work assignments vary widely across organizations, ranging from analytical project work to clerical and administrative work. Depending on the nature of the work or the number of hours to be filled, Stuart can provide individual students or teams of students to our program partners.
During their ASL Program placements, students meet weekly as a group with Stuart faculty and staff and share their experiences and learn from each other.
What types of students are available?
Stuart students are pursuing programs of study in:
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Public Administration
- M.S. Environmental Management and Sustainability
- M.S. Marketing Communications
- Professional Master's in Mathematical Finance
Further, a significant number of our graduate students have advanced technical and quantitative skills. Many have already held professional positions in companies around the world.
What are the benefits to my organization?
One or more students are placed according to the needs of participating businesses and non-profits, each providing 60 hours of service over the 15-week semester. This provides our partners with "temp staffing" opportunities as well as the opportunity to increase capacity through the assignment of special projects. Overall, program partners are able to achieve increased levels of productivity during a time of economic strain.
Further, the ASL Program offers partners the opportunity to assess a potential recruiting pool for future staffing needs.
What are the benefits to IIT Stuart students?
Through their service to program partners, students gain valuable exposure to real-world business environments and have the opportunity to enhance their interpersonal, presentation, communication and networking skills. The ASL Program also reinforces the importance of service to community.
Are the placements "internships"?
No. The focus of the program is on offering capacity-expanding service to program partners while simultaneously enhancing students' academic experience through early exposure to business environments. Unlike an internship, the ASL Program focuses less on the content of the work students perform and more on building professionalism and providing opportunities to participate in business culture.
What is the cost of participation in the program?
IIT Stuart students are placed on a pro bono basis: there is no cost to partners.
Are there limitations on the type of work students can do?
Each student is limited to 60 hours of service work. Stuart is happy to provide teams of students to partners whose needs exceed 60 hours. Otherwise, the types of assignments are at the discretion of the program partner. Examples of possible assignments include:
- Competitive Monitoring
- Data Analysis
- Web-site Maintenance
- Social Media Monitoring
- Database Maintenance
- Clerical and Administrative Work
How do I enroll as a program partner?
Call or e-mail Loraine Hasebe or April Griffith at the IIT Stuart Career Management Center:
Loraine Hasebe (312) 906-6555
April Griffith (312) 906-6542
IIT Stuart is eager to work with your organization to determine how we can best serve your needs.
