Northern Illinois University
College of Business

You'll have unique real-world educational experiences at the Experiential Learning Center (ELC). The ELC provides valuable research, fresh ideas and recommendations to sponsoring organizations. Since 2000, the ELC has successfully completed 167 projects for 88 unique sponsors.

Successful ELC projects result from the following:

• Committed students
• Dedicated coaches
• Accessible sponsors

Students apply to be on an ELC team and are hand-picked by the coach. Coaches keep the teams on track and serve as guides. Student teams learn by working through ambiguous situations.

Sponsoring organizations pay a project fee to the ELC. In turn, project teams are expected to provide sponsors with a return on their investment.

With each project, you'll take on the role of a consultant. Project management, communication, presentation, team building, leadership and technical skills are developed throughout the project experience. With these valuable skills, you'll be prepared to step into the business world feeling confident and knowledgeable.

Teams meet in the dedicated ELC facility on the third floor of Barsema Hall two times each week. Meetings usually last one-and-a-half hours. Each team follows a project management methodology throughout the semester. Research and the development of key project deliverables generally require three to ten hours of outside work. A final presentation to the sponsoring organization brings closure to the project. At this time, the student team is expected to deliver value to the sponsoring organization. There are no syllabi, quizzes or exams. Final grades are determined by the coach and are dependent on the completion of key project deliverables.

Teams include a mix of five to eight graduate and undergraduate students. Students are chosen based on their competency in business, technology and communication skills; their ability to contribute as team members; their ability to work in an unstructured environment; and their willingness and desire to learn in such an environment. In addition, College of Business students should have successfully completed UBUS 310. For non-College of Business students, junior standing is required. Students are recruited the semester before a project is scheduled and go through a selection process similar to that of being hired for a position of employment. No student is invited (or not invited) based on his or her gender, race, religious beliefs, sexual preference or nation of origin.

Complete an online application, which includes a cover letter and resume. You may apply for one or more projects. If selected, formal interviews are scheduled with the project coaches. Project coaches choose the team members, and all applicants are notified before the end of the semester.