OnRamp Student Innovation Program

Additional Details for Students

• Open/Close Details and FAQs

  Is this a paid opportunity?

  Yes! Students accepted into the program will be hired as an Innovation Analyst for the Center for Innovation Strategies and be paid an hourly rate of $10.00 during the weeks of operation (with a weekly cap of 10 hrs/wk).

  Can I be a part of this program if I have another campus job?

  If you are already employed by the university, the 10 hrs/wk for the OnRamp will count towards your maximum number of hours per week. Please check with your supervisor if applying for the OnRamp would be acceptable.

  Who will I be working with?

  You will be working in a team with multi-disciplinary undergraduate students and senior leadership of the Center for Innovation Strategies, as well as innovation leaders from sponsoring companies.

  Where will I be working?

  The OnRamp program will be primarily delivered virtually, with possible in-person meetings for the kick-off and final pitch.

  What will I be doing?

  Throughout the multi-week program (6 weeks for sprints, 10 weeks for the accelerator), you will be taught innovation techniques to create a new project based on a problem/opportunity identified by our corporate sponsors. You will start by obtaining a core task from the sponsor. Then you will begin customer validation by interviewing potential customers. After your interviews are complete, you will consolidate your data to understand the root problem and customer pain points. From here, your team will develop a new innovation concept, product or service. You will then have the opportunity to pitch this idea back to the sponsors.

  Why should I be involved?

  OnRamp offers a unique opportunity to innovate and develop new business concepts. You are getting paid to learn how to create an innovation initiative or start-up for a corporate sponsor. You are working and building a relationship with employers for potential internships and full-time opportunities. You’ll gain great experience for your resume and develop valuable leadership skills and a growth mindset.

  I'm not sure I can create good ideas

  OnRamp will teach you the innovative process of product development and creating concepts. You will learn the steps it takes to create your own value-creating ideas.

  I don't know how to build a prototype

  The OnRamp program focuses on creating viable ideas based on customer insights from the data you collect. You will not be expected to create fully functioning prototypes or products.

  Responsibilities & Desired Skills

  Time Commitment:

  Mandatory 90-minute cohort meetings once a week

  Mandatory one hour team meetings with your team at a time that suits your schedule

  Commitment to working 10 hr/wk on your project with your team members

  Duties

  Data collection in the field by obtaining customer validation through interviews

  Learning innovation skills to transform your given problem into an MVP (Minimal Value Proposition)

  Lead within your team and foster an innovation environment

  Desired Skills

  Ability and desire to work in a fast paced start-up environment

  Strong communication skills with peers and future customers

  Comfort with approaching and talking to strangers

  Strong work ethic, interpersonal, and leadership skills

  Able to operate with minimal direction and supervision

  Self-driven motivator