UW Oshkosh: Students do consulting work for 2 businesses, new venture

CONTACT:
Ashay Desai, (920) 424-7269 or (920) 969-1009

OSHKOSH – A group of select University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh senior business students has completed consulting projects for Miles Kimball, the UW-Oshkosh Credit Union and a Neenah couple interested in beginning a new venture.

The 20 students involved in the projects will discuss them and get client feedback at a meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at the college. College of Business Dean E. Alan Hartman, undergraduate program director William Wresch and the faculty members teaching the course­Ashay Desai and Michael Tippins­will attend.

Each of the three clients paid $500-$1,500 for the consulting work, all of which will support the new UW-Oshkosh Student Consulting Program.

Desai, however, said the real-world experience the project gives the students is the real reward.

“This program allows us to showcase our bright students and provide them with real-world experience that is challenging and beneficial,” he said. “The clients get a fresh and objective assessment of their current situation and benefit from recommendations.”

It’s the second semester for the innovative program, patterned after one at Duke University. Last spring, UW-Oshkosh business students did consulting work for J.J. Keller and Associates Inc., Neenah, and the Oshkosh Area Humane Shelter.

Desai said the project will be offered again in the spring.

“There is a demand for the course in the community, and our students appreciate the experience it gives them just as they are preparing to enter the work force,” he said.

This semester, 25 students applied for the course and 20 were selected. Last spring, 12 of 20 who applied were selected.

Each semester, several companies have offered projects for the student consulting program.