An estimated 20 teams of Michigan State University undergraduate seniors 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 Minor, students are required to work in cross-functional teams on a real-world IT (information technology) project. They just need a few more “clients.”
Professors Constantinos Coursaris and Wietske van Osch, who are teaching the course through MSU’s Departments of Media and Information and Accounting of Information Systems, say the students are capable of taking on a wide range of technology-related projects, because each team will comprise of students majoring in business, media and information, computer science and engineering, and others. A short list of completed and successful projects follows:
Websites and Web Content Management Systems
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.
Database and Workflow Systems
Student teams also help with “back end” office operations. For example, one team designed and implemented a new membership database for the Michigan Kiwanis Club using Microsoft Access and another team used Microsoft InfoPath to design and implement a workflow system for a petroleum distribution company.
Wireless Web Access
A student team created a prototype for the Oakland County Mobile Services system to format website information for smaller screens on mobile phones and PDAs.
Video Production
Students produced promotional videos and DVDs for clients ranging from St. Johns Public Schools to Walnut Hills Country Club.
Social Media Marketing
Students created a comprehensive social media strategy, initial presence and maintenance plan for Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub.
Professors Coursaris and Van Osch are now accepting proposals from area organizations (business, government, or nonprofit) to have student teams take on projects for the spring 2019 academic semester, starting in January and ending at the end of April. The ideal project is “hands-on,” with a well-defined outcome that can be achieved by five students in ~10 weeks.
To submit a project for consideration, please contact Dr. Coursaris via email as soon as possible and no later than January 3, at coursari@msu.edu.
