The Foster School Undergraduate programs emphasize hands-on experience in solving complex, real-world business challenges while helping companies from under-served communities achieve their goals. From week-long competitions to quarter long-intensive projects, the Programs are designed to teach the essentials skills for career advancement.
- 87% of students report that their experience helped them obtain their first job after graduation.
- 96% of students reported that their experience helped them perform better than their colleagues.
Business Management Consulting Program (MKTG/MGMT 445)
Teams of undergraduates work with businesses from under-served communities as part of this consulting class offered winter quarter. Teams consist of 4-5 students, mentors from national and regional consulting firms, the Seattle Rotary Club, and professional Foster alumni from the region’s leading technology firms.
Through more than 500 hours of assistance, businesses receive accounting and financial management assistance, mentoring from business executives, and access to cutting-edge business management techniques that solve challenges and capture growth opportunities. This intensive consulting program lasts approximately seven months and begins each November and runs through May.
CONTACT
Gabriela Michan, [email protected], (206) 543-9545
Business Technology Consulting Program (MGMT 440: Multicultural Consulting)
Teams of undergraduates work with businesses from under-served communities as part of this technical consulting class offered SPRING QUARTER. Teams consist of 4-5 students, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) mentors, and professional advisors from the region’s leading technology and consulting firms.
This course fulfills (2) Basic Skills of the UW General Education Requirements: the Diversity requirement (DIV-course) and a Writing requirement (W-course).
This course is 4-credits. Students should expect to spend approximately 8-10 hours a week outside of class on this course and prepare for an impactful experience like a part-time internship. This is a great addition to a student resume!
Through this program, businesses will receive technology management assistance, mentoring from HPE mentors and Channel Partners, and access to cutting-edge business management techniques that solve challenges and capture growth opportunities. This program lasts approximately four months and begins each February and runs through June.
Learn more about how this program is helping students like you accelerate their careers!
CONTACT
Rebecca Thornton, [email protected], (206) 616-0455
Summer Consulting Program
Each summer, the Consulting and Business Development Center hires 1-3 full-time (40 hours a week) Summer Consulting Interns who work as consultants to small businesses in under-served communities. Each student will work with 2-3 companies and provide, on average, 130 hours of consulting services to each firm during over the summer. Examples of past consulting projects include completing marketing plans, financial or sustainable growth analysis, business plans, improving management systems, or short and long-term financial projections. In addition to the Summer Consulting Internship, below are internships with specific application requirements.
NATE AND LESLIE MILES FAMILY ENDOWED SUMMER INTERNSHIP
The Nate and Leslie Miles Family Endowed Internship enables an under-represented minority (URM) student pursuing a degree at the Foster School of Business the opportunity to work with businesses owned by people of color or women with a special emphasis on businesses that are located in communities with high unemployment.
AGGIE CLARK ENDOWED INTERNSHIP
This internship enables an undergraduate student the opportunity to provide consulting work to help to a minority- or woman owned business. Applicant must show experience helping women owned businesses or advancing women in business within application.
LEARNING EXPERIENCE
- Participate in training sessions to improve skills and knowledge about business consulting.
- Develop consulting contracts and identify success measures for each assigned client.
- Complete a scope of work designed to help the company achieve growth and/or recover from COVID-19 challenges.
- Work with a business mentor provided by the center.
- Deliver a final client presentation and report to each company.
QUALIFICATIONS
This internship is available to UW students only. Open to international students. A strong candidate for this internship would be a business major with interest or experience in business consulting. Past consulting experience and experience working in multicultural environments is highly preferred.
SALARY AND START/END DATES
Intern will receive a $6,500 stipend and will work 40 hours per week (full-time). The intern will begin working Tuesday, June 20, 2023, and the program will conclude on Friday, August 25, 2023. Students will have one paid holiday (July 4).
APPLICATION
The application will be open now through March 25, 2023 (closing at 11:59 p.m.) To apply submit a resume, cover letter (include which internship you are applying for), and writing sample through Handshake. Be sure to address your experience working in multicultural environments as well as working with the Consulting & Business Development Center (if applicable), business and creating solutions.
SUMMER CONSULTING INTERNSHIP
Handshake Job Code: 7445873
NATE AND LESLIE MILES FAMILY ENDOWED SUMMER INTERNSHIP
Handshake Job Code: 7445873
AGGIE CLARK ENDOWED INTERNSHIP
Handshake Job Code: 7445873
CONTACT
Kennedy Cockrel, Assistant Director | [email protected]
Foster Consulting Program
The Consulting & Business Development Center provides students opportunities to work as business consultants for local companies and non-profit organizations.
The Foster Consulting Program allows students to apply their knowledge in real-world business situations. They help companies grow by developing tactical strategies that create jobs and strengthen the regional economy. Students are mentored by professional consultants from Seattle’s leading consulting companies. Held in partnership with BIG Consulting, these projects last approximately seven weeks.
Fall Quarter Projects:
- Student Application Deadline: Sunday, October 16, 2022 at 11:59 pm.
- Student Training: Monday, October 24, 2022 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
- Project Kick-off: Wednesday, October 26, 2022 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
- Final Presentation: Wednesday, December 7, 2022| 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
Winter Quarter Projects:
- Student Application Deadline: Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 11:59 pm.
- Student Training: Monday, January 23, 2022 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
- Project Kick-off: Wednesday, January 25, 2023 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
- Final Presentation: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
Spring Quarter Projects:
- Student Application Deadline: Sunday, April 9, 2023 at 11:59 pm.
- Student Training: Monday, April 17, 2023 | 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
- Project Kick-off: Wednesday, April 19, 2023 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
- Final Presentation: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 | 5:30 – 7:30 pm.
Apply to become a Foster Consultant here
CONTACT
Vy Nguyen, [email protected]
Wil Tutol, [email protected]
Undergraduate Scholarships
In conjunction with the Undergraduate Program Office, the Center awards three annual scholarships.
ABBS (Association of Black Business Students) Endowed Scholarship
Provide assistance to undergraduate students at the Foster School of Business, with a preference for students who have had a deep cultural experience within the African American culture and affiliate with the Center to support the growth of African-American owned businesses.
Asian Pacific Islander Endowed Scholarship
Provide assistance to undergraduate students at the Foster School of Business, with a preference for students who have had a deep cultural experience within the Asian/Pacific American community who affiliate with the center to support API-owned businesses.
Thaddeus H. Spratlen Endowed Scholarship
Provide assistance to undergraduate students at the Foster School of Business, with a preference for students who have had a deep cultural experience within the African American culture and affiliate with the Center to support the growth of African-American owned businesses.