Global Applied Projects (GAP)
PRACTICAL MEETS ACADEMIC
As a Fisher signature program, GAP is an optional experiential learning capstone-like opportunity that turns theory into practice. Working directly with industry-leading multinational corporations, market disrupting start-ups, mission-driven nonprofit organizations, or governmental agencies, students hone their business acumen, gain professional consulting experience, and develop increased global and cultural awareness while solving multidisciplinary and multifaceted strategic business challenges.
During an MBA student's spring semester, student teams collaborate with a real client-partner to address an organization's global business challenge or potential opportunity. Students spend a majority of the 14-week spring semester course on-campus, attending classes and working remotely with their partnering organization. Spring Break marks an exciting time when students will travel to their client-partner global location!
Getting the chance to spend a week or more on-site, in another country, working collaboratively with a client-partner helps students develop a keen sense of global awareness that can only be experienced firsthand.
Watch a recording of GAP Information Session to learn more about the program
OVERVIEW
Global Applied Projects (GAP) is an optional experiential learning capstone-like course that enables students to lead, plan, and execute global consulting engagements across multiple functional areas. Choosing from a wide array of industry-leading multinational corporations, mission-driven nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies and everything in between, students get the chance to engage with exciting client-partners in locations all over the world, bringing fresh perspectives and valuable insights.
GAP engagements are true consulting projects, but they are also learning experiences for students, where each project host is instrumental in the education of future business leaders. Project hosts serve multiple roles; they are both clients and partners. As client-partners, our hosts expect the same quality of deliverables, adherence to deadlines, rigorous work ethic, attention to detail, professionalism, and critical problem solving skills one might receive from a top consulting firm. However, as partners, GAP becomes an experience far greater than the final output. Students immerse themselves into the organization and the business challenge, resulting in transformational experiences
The important distinction is that GAP client-partners and their accompanying projects are meticulously screened and selected. Each client-partner is sourced to provide a variety of cross-disciplinary projects in a range of industries and with organizations of all shapes and sizes.
A GAP engagement begins prior to the fall semester when the company host and Fisher College of Business define the business problem and formulate a high-level scope of work. Students apply to be considered in August and September and learn their placements in November. While the program course starts in January, 2024, project global travel happens during the spring break week, and culminates at the end of the course in April with a virtual presentation of project findings, an in-depth analysis, and specific, actionable recommendations to the client.
Competencies developed include: gaining project management, industry, and cultural expertise; practicing leadership, global communication, and teamwork skills using technology that aligns with the company host; honing data collection and analytic skills; synthesizing information to draw relevant conclusions and make actionable recommendations; and crafting compelling presentations.
COURSE and PROJECT COMPLETION
Over 14 weeks, teams of 4 - 6 students are advised by a faculty functional expert and devote many hours collectively to solving the business challenge. Students attend a required three-credit spring course that hones their consulting skills, and additionally, teams develop a keen awareness of the cultural and business environment while meeting regularly with their clients and advisors.
- MHR 7022 Global Applied Projects. 3 credits; graded elective course; Spring Semester.
- Classroom portion of GAP focuses on project management, global culture, and initial project preparation.
- Students receive instructions to enroll into the GAP class once they are accepted for a specific project team.
GAP participants are concurrently honing their consulting skills during the course to finalize the project scope, complete data research and analysis, and present the final project findings to the company host. Faculty advisors serve as subject-matter-experts during the spring term to guide and evaluate the final deliverables.
Program Contacts:
Lori Kendall, Faculty Director for Full-time MBA Program, kendall.185@osu.edu
Steve DeNunzio, Faculty Director for WP-MBA Program, denunzio.4@osu.edu
Dominic DiCamillo, Senior Director, Office of Global Business, dicamillo.4@osu.edu
GAP eligibility and participation are based on a student being fully prepared for the multidisciplinary aspect of GAP projects. Therefore, the GAP program is open to applicants who meet the following criteria:
FT-MBA
- Second-year students who are in good academic standing,
WP-MBA
- WP-MBA students in good academic standing who have completed a minimum of 30 hours of graded coursework before the required Spring Semester course. Preference is given to students who have completed the data analytics and global business courses.
All students must have a valid passport with an expiration date no earlier than Dec 1, 2025; can obtain an entry visa, if required; and meet any other entry requirements for that country.
GAP Information Sessions
Learn more about this program by attending our upcoming information sessions:
- Session 1 (Virtual): Thursday - September 12, 2024 at 5.00pm | Register today!
- Session 2 (In-person): Tuesday - September 17, 2024 at 11.30am | Location: Gerlach 245 | Register today!
- Session 3 (Virtual): Tuesday - September 24, 2024 at 5.00pm | Register today!
GAP Application Process
The GAP application link is available here, but please plan to attend one of several Info Sessions listed above for details. The application deadline is set for October 6, 2024.
- Accepted applicants will receive subsequent emails about next steps by end of October 2024 and Project Teams will be announced in GAP Big Reveal by the end of November/early December 2024 (Exact date to be determined).
Required Application Documents
Have the following documents ready before starting the online application process:
- Updated Resume. Attach your resume as a properly labeled PDF (Example: "[FIRST NAME]_[LAST NAME]_Resume"). For assistance with creating an updated and professionally formatted resume, make an appointment with a Career Consultant in the Office of Career Management if needed.
- Video. Please record and upload a video of yourself (3 minute limit) which answers the below questions:
- Why are you interested in participating in a GAP consulting project?
- What skillsets/experiences do you possess that would benefit a GAP project?
- Tell us about your most successful group project experience. What were the reasons it worked so well?
Upload the video to your OSU OneDrive folder (https://microsoft365.osu.edu/), and paste the shareable BuckeyeBox link in the field below.
Instructions on how to obtain a shareable link can be found here. Confirm that "People with the Link" is selected when you enable the shareable link. If "People with the Link" is not selected, our office will be unable to view your video submission.
- PDF of Passport Info Page
PLACEMENT STEPS
To be placed on a GAP team, students must do the following:
- Complete an online GAP application and attend a GAP hybrid Information Session.
- Identify up to three available project scopes to indicate interest when you receive the selection survey in November.
- Accept the project placement within 24 hours of receiving the confirmation email in November. Failure to respond will result in being removed from the project and placed on the waitlist.
The GAP Leadership Team finalizes all team assignments. Project "swapping" with other students is not an option and team member preferences will not be considered.
PLACEMENT CRITERIA
- Placements will vary based on the fit between the project requirements and factors such as student background, skills, functional expertise, and language abilities.
- In addition, the student's project selection, ability to enter that specific country, and faculty recommendations will be taken into account for team placement.