Action Learning Project

More Than an Internship

Action Learning Projects are part of the curriculum for academic credit, and are conducted with faculty guidance. Because they are performed by teams, their scope can be much broader than that of a typical internship. Also, while interns may receive wages, Action Learning teams receive no consulting fees. The semester-long projects are similar to consulting engagements. Grades are determined by the team's faculty mentors. Observations from host company liaisons are a crucial component of their evaluations, especially those regarding the final presentation.

Typical Projects

ALP project topics have varied widely, but all have been robust, high-impact projects. The best projects are closely tied to critical issues that are driving the company and its industry. However, “validation” projects will not be accepted (situations where the project has already been worked and the company is seeking independent validation of their answer from student team).

Projects typically include multiple topics from the examples listed below, but the program is not limited to these topics:

Benefits to the Company

• Provides a detailed, actionable recommendations at the strategic and tactical levels 
• Taps both student and Rice-JGSB faculty expertise to develop the recommendations 
• Demonstrates capabilities of talented MBA professionals to your company 
• Builds your company’s long-term relationship with Rice University and JGSB 

Company Commitments

The investment of your company’s time is critical to the teams’ ability to develop rich, detailed, and relevant recommendations that can be adopted. Specific commitments include: 

• Company Project Liaison
  This crucial role will interact with students on a regular basis and facilitate access to the company’s resources and information. Your liaison will also communicate with the project faculty advisor on status, issues, and content details. An alternate liaison is also recommended to be identified as a backup.
• Weekly Review/Status Meeting with Team
  Having a regularly scheduled weekly meeting (in-person, videoconference, or conference call) is one of the biggest factors impacting the success of a project, including driving company/student communication, improving quality of their work, and accelerating resolution of issues. 
• Timely Access to Data and Personnel
  This is one of the other biggest factors impacting success of a project. For instance, they may analyze financial information, interview employees and customers, attend internal meetings, observe business processes, etc. Maintaining confidentiality of your proprietary business information is critical to our work. Non-disclosure agreements are signed by the student teams and faculty. 
• On-site Resources (as necessary)
  Appropriate on-site workspace, computers, telephones, copying, and other needed equipment for the student teams. 
• Reimbursement of Reasonable Student Expenses
  These could include printing of documents and final reports, airfares and/or vehicle mileage, out-of-town accommodations and meals, telephone and fax charges, and other project-related expenses. Because students typically work with tight personal budgets, the company should discuss and negotiate any specific expense reimbursement policies and procedures with them and the project’s faculty advisor at the beginning of the project.