Experiential Learning
Our Philosophy
SoBA prides itself on its strong commitment to experiential learning. In fact, most classes at the junior and senior level are geared toward, and built around, a focus on learning through experience. SoBA students have built an impressive portfolio of projects through these classes. Take a look at some of the experiential opportunities offered to the students, as well as some of the stellar results.
The UM School of Business Administration offers companies located in Western Montana the opportunity to receive business assistance from student teams. The following highlights the range of projects that may be considered:
- Feasibility Studies
- Business Plans
- Business Research Projects
- Marketing Plans
- Communication Plans
How The Program Works
Through this program, Western Montana businesses apply for assistance from a student team to execute one of the above projects. Undergraduate juniors and seniors work in teams of up to four people in a classroom setting or under the direct supervision of a faculty instructor. All information is held in strict confidence.
Course Information
The following courses offer students the opportunity to develop and execute projects with businesses in located in Western Montana:
Marketing Management (BMKT480)
Marketing Plans for Local Business and Non-profit Organizations
Senior marketing majors work with local business or non-profit organizations to develop a one-year comprehensive marketing plan. Students perform an in-depth assessment of the current status of the organization and its environment. Based on the assessment of the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats the students will recommend a set of objectives (e.g., customer awareness, sales) in relation to target market segments, and the appropriate brand/product positioning for the respective segments. Finally, students will make specific recommendations regarding price, promotion and distribution to the client organizations.
The fee for a marketing plan is $250 for non-profit organizations and $500 for businesses. For more information contact Justin Angle at Justin.Angle@business.umt.edu.
Marketing Research (BMKT342)
Market Research Projects
The focus of this course is to expose students to a wide variety of methods by which data for making business and marketing decisions can be obtained, including written data searches, focus groups, interviews, observation, surveys, and experiments. Students will learn the terminology and principles related to each of those methodologies, including their advantages and limitations and what methods are most appropriate for addressing a variety of marketing research problems. Students will also learn how to design questionnaires, develop a sampling plan, and conduct basic statistical analysis of primary data.
A marketing research project is best directed towards a very specific marketing problem, which could involve anything related to positioning, product development, pricing, distribution, or promotion (advertising, public relations, sales promotions, events). Marketing research projects identify the specific information needed in order to resolve the marketing problem in question, determine the best methodologies to acquire that information, collect and analyze the relevant data, and present findings and conclusions related to the project.
For more information contact Emily Plant at Emily.Plant@business.umt.edu.
Integrated Marketing Communications (BMKT343)
Communication Plans
In Marketing Communications, students identify and understand the different purposes, advantages & disadvantages, and elements of a variety of marketing communications vehicles, including advertising, public relations, promotions, and sponsorship. Additionally, students learn how marketing communications tools and strategy integrate with previous learning on marketing principles, marketing strategy and consumer behavior. The ultimate goal of this class is for students to develop concrete, applicable tools and skills that are frequently used in the marketing communications industry.
For more information contact Karen Porter at karen.porter@business.umt.edu.
Integrated Project Management for IS (BMIS476)
Project Management brings together the concepts taught in the management information systems (MIS) major. Senior students work in teams to complete a variety of projects for local clients, including web pages, databases, networks, user requirements for large systems, and more.
For more information contact Shawn Clouse at shawn.clouse@business.umt.edu.
Strategic Venture Management (MGMT486)
In this program, students work in specific functional areas such as marketing, finance, accounting, management, computer applications, and any other area upon which clients and students agree. Early in the semester, students submit a proposal to the client detailing the agreed upon scope of work; at the end of the semester, students give a final plan and presentation to the client. The student team's only work during the semester is the consulting project; there are no classes, exams or other coursework. Each student team meets with their instructor on a weekly basis.
Feasibility and business plans may include a comprehensive description of the issues that need to be considered when starting and/or growing a business:
Overall Strategy
- Industry Characteristics
- Competitor and Customer Characteristics
- Marketing Strategy
- Management Team
- Overall Schedule
- Critical Risks
- Operational Plan
- Financial Plan
The fee for a business plan or feasibility study is $250 for non-profit organizations and $500 for businesses. For more information contact Suzanne Tilleman at suzanne.tilleman@business.umt.edu.