PROGRAM HISTORY
The Pro Bono Consulting Program at Georgia Tech began in the Spring of 2008 under the leadership of MBA and PhD student, Pasha Fedorenko. Pasha observed a need for MBA students to gain relevant experience in the field of management consulting and was able to couple that need with the desire to give back to local non-profit organizations. After recruiting several MBA and PhD students for the program, Pasha led his team to complete a 5-month strategic management project for the Sullivan Center. The project allowed the team members to gain real-world experience completing internal and external assessments, managing the client-consultant relationship, and issuing strategic recommendations to key decision makers in an organization. The project also allowed the Sullivan Center to benefit from the indepth analysis provided by the Georgia Tech team, resulting in an overhaul of their reporting systems and the employment of a new operations position to aid in their ongoing fight against homelessness in Atlanta.
After the success of the Sullivan Center Project, Pasha formalized the Pro Bono Consulting Program in the Fall of 2008, gaining sponsorship from Dr. Terry Blum of the Institute for Leadership and Entrepreneurship, and recruiting a new team to start the following school year. Since its inception, the Pro Bono Consulting Program has worked with several clients across a broad range of non-profit sectors, employed the talents of dozens of Georgia Tech MBA and PhD students, and has delivered substantial and impactful results to the non-profit community in the city of Atlanta.
MISSION
Georgia Tech's Pro Bono Consulting Program is aimed at helping not-for-profit organizations based in Atlanta to resolve key strategic challenges. We are also committed to providing exceptional educational and personal growth opportunities for motivated student participants.
TEAMS
Teams are comprised of 5 students, MBAs, PhDs and other graduate students with diverse backgrounds. Participating students apply, interview, and are selected for the program. Each selected applicant has demonstrated a solid track record of scholastic, extracurricular and professional achievements. Our student consultants are well rounded, down to earth individuals with strong problem solving and leadership skills. These skills are paired with an exceptional motivation to learn and deliver actionable results to our clients.
PROJECT DEFINITION
Projects are conducted over 15 weeks during the Fall or Spring semester. Prior to undertaking a project we work together with our clients to set expectations and define deliverables. All projects are evaluated against our dual goal mission and approved by the client representatives, consulting team and program leaders, as well as advising faculty from Georgia Tech’s Business School. Projects must have a defined problem, a defined scope, and a defined need. Upon completion, clients will receive presentation of findings with the expectation that results will be considered for implementation by key organizational decision makers.
IMPLEMENTATION & IMPACT
We pride ourselves with providing solutions that are practical and easy to implement. Our teams, while independent, work closely with the clients’ staff and management. This approach enables us to better grasp underlying issues, gather feedback on our work and adjust our approach early in the process, and finally arrive at actionable solutions that our clients are prepared to implement.
Project workload is expected to average 30 – 45 hrs per week across the team of 5 student consultants. The length of projects should range from 12 – 16 weeks with the following timeline.
Project Timeline
Week 1: August 17 – August 22
Teams will be finalized and resumes will be submitted to the client by the 2nd Monday of the semester.
Week 2: August 25 – August 29
Teams will meet with the client the third week of the semester.
Week 7 thru Week 9: Sept 28 – October 16
Mid Project Presentation – date to be set by client and student consulting team
Week 15 thru Week 17: November 23 – December 10
Final Presentation and wrap up
SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATION
Individual or team contact must be defined and available on a consistent basis for student consulting team support. Level of data and resource support will be determined based on project scope.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Pre-Semester Work
Project scope and terms are presented to Pro Bono Consulting Program Leaders a minimum of 4 weeks prior to semester beginning. Terms must be reviewed and agreed on 2 weeks prior to semester start.
Team Selection
Application process for students begins 4weeks prior to the end of the spring semester and ends the first Sunday after finals. Interviews will be conducted over the summer. The prospect of working with the American Cancer Society has generated a considerable amount of buzz on campus. We have already started receiving applications for Fall Semester 2009!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mariam Jeroudi – 832.498.1702
Ryan Langdale – 404.290.0486
Email: probono_consulting@mba.gatech.edu