Level Up
Through Level Up, first-generation students work on multidisciplinary teams of three to five students to apply their education, skills and knowledge in real-world situations. Career Services matches teams of students from across campus with companies operating in ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ to complete these projects.
- Projects are seven weeks long (starting the week of Sept. 30) with real companies.
- Each student commits 30 hours to complete their project on a team of five students.
- The hours workedÌýare often flexible and most projects will be entirely or mostly remote.
- Upon project completion, students are paid a stipend of $500.
- Students have support in the form of pre-skilling options, research resources and staff for additional questions and advocacy.
- Students apply to the program with their top three projects chosen by 8 a.m. on Sept. 18.
- By Sept. 20, students will be matched with project teams.ÌýUnfortunately, we can’t guarantee projects because we are limited in availability. We will match students based on quality of application, interest, fit and seniority.
- Projects will begin the week of Sept. 30 with an initial meeting with host companies and will run for eightÌýweeks,Ìýending by Nov. 15.
- Students will be introduced to each other, companies and a series of resources to help guide them through projects.
Please view the application for this semester’s projects. Common project areas are:
- Market research: Collect, analyze and interpret data and information about consumers that a company may be interested in.
- Competitive analysis: Identify a company’s competitors and evaluate their strategies to determine strengths and weaknesses in comparison.
- Content creation and communications: Identify topics and then plan and develop written or creative content for a company, potentially including blog articles, website text, emails, marketing materials, brochures, videos, presentations, infographics, grant applications and more.Ìý
- User experience testing: Trial, critically analyze and provide useful feedback on a company’s practices, designs and/or communications in order to improve their services or products. May also include surveys and observations of individuals and consumers.
- Business research: Find, evaluate and communicate data, information and insights for a business on a specific topic or field. This may include a type of product or service, a way to improve business communications or best practices for operations.
- Idea generation: Create, develop and communicate new thoughts or concepts that can help a business improve and meet their strategic goals.
- DEI strategy evaluation: Analyze and provide feedback on a company’s practices to help them cultivate a productive, engaging and inclusive workplace culture for their employees and/or customers.
- Must be an undergraduate student with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Must be a first-generation student.ÌýFirst-generation is defined as neither your parents/guardians nor you have received a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- All participants must complete an application through Career Services. Completed applications do not guarantee placement in the program.
- Students must commit to maintaining professionalism in communicating with companies and program administrators.Ìý
- Each student is expected to spend 30 hours on their project, including attending meetings with the company and their project team.
- Project teams must submit a report and/or presentation of their project to the company.
- Participants must submit an evaluation of their experience at the end.
- Unfortunately, due to the short duration of these projects, they won’t work under CPT guidelines so international students won’t be able to work due to Visa restraints.
- Sharpen your resume: Internships and jobs often require that students have practical work-based experience already. Project work like this can be a stepping stone toward future opportunities and will be a strategic addition on your resume and in cover letters.
- Learn about yourself: Students report that work-based learning significantly helps them assess their own interests and skills.Ìý
- Build skills: Skills are the currency of tomorrow’s workplace. Make sure you’re ready by developing and refining skills today.Ìý
- Meet people and grow your network: Create connections with companies, fellow students and current professionals through these real-world projects.
- Empower yourself: Gain the confidence you need to succeed in professional roles.
- Be supported: You will have support in the form of pre-skilling options, research resourcesÌýand staff for additional questions.
Ready to gain experience?
Application deadline is Sept. 18 at 8 a.m.