Loyalist College students are being asked for fresh professional solutions to real-world business challenges. Entrepreneurs, small and large businesses, not-for-profit and service organizations came to the college and pitched their project with the hope that one or more students will choose to work with them. Several were returning after successful partnerships in previous years. Others were attending for the first time in hopes of benefiting from this talented pool of creative energy and skills. The students they will work with are part of the Alliance Excellence Achievement Program (AEAP), a component of the Loyalist Business program.
Over the course of two days, each of the 35 organizations had the stage for 15 minutes – 15 minutes to convince the students that their’s was the challenge of choice. One of the individuals was Michael Shunock of Spread Media Inc. Now in the final stages of developing a mobile app, he and his partner are looking for support with a business needs assessment, brand strategy development and a marketing strategy.
Michael Shunock of Spread Media Inc.
“I heard of the AEAP program through my brother who had seen some of the work that was completed by last year’s students – he was extremely impressed,” said Michael. “Working with the students will give us the opportunity to share what we have developed with people, who we hope will be early adopters of our product and service. This feedback and interaction will be very valuable. What’s exciting is that the students can help shape the future of our product at a very early stage, and hopefully see the impact of their efforts as our business grows and gains attention.”
Second-year student Hazel Barber
Hazel Barber, a second-year student, is pleased with the wide range of projects they have to choose from. “The selection is vast – marketing plans, budgets, scheduling business plans – from the ground up. It really offers us the chance to get involved and feel like we’re making a difference. When I graduate I should be able to apply this experience directly and improve my résumé. However, even if the AEAP project is in no discernable way related to my chosen field, I will have gained valuable skills that can be applied to every aspect of working – such as teamwork, initiative and organizational skills. That’s the most exciting aspect of the AEAP program. We have the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge in areas that may not be directly included in the program. Our project choices enable us to specialize in specific fields of study for the duration of the AEAP program.”
Sara Roberts, a second-year student
“I came to Loyalist as a mature student after working in an administrative and customer service position for the past six years,” said Sara Roberts, a second-year student. “This is my first post-secondary education experience and I’m so glad that I chose Loyalist. The AEAP program is giving me the opportunity to work directly with a company. I hope to assist someone with developing a website and social media. It will be very rewarding to see a business implement what I provide them with – what a great sense of accomplishment. I take something away from every project, report and assignment that I do. These experiences will definitely benefit me when I graduate and I’ll have actual work experience on my résumé.”
AEAP was introduced to the Business Administration program in 2003 with 15 companies presenting projects. The students’ reputation as a valuable resource within the community has spread – the number of participants has more than doubled. Business representatives interested in learning more about AEAP and how to participate in the program can contact Professor Bob Millard at bmillard@loyalistc.on.ca. For information about Loyalist College’s Business and Management Studies programs click here.