FAQs

An OCI is a three-credit class providing students the opportunity to work on teams of three to five students to complete a company-directed project as unpaid interns during Fall or Winter semesters.

All projects are designed to provide value to the organization as student teams complete specific deliverables.

All underclassmen are eligible to apply regardless of major. Students may complete more than one OCI in the same semester. No prerequisites are required.

Students work between seven to nine hours per week on assigned internships.

Yes. Students will attend class meetings as scheduled, and complete an engagement letter, project, plan, required learning Canvas Modules, and a midterm/final report.

To apply, please click on the application page. You will be asked to explain your interest in participation in an OCI and rank projects according to interests. You may revisit and prioritize projects as needed.

Applications are matched and assigned to project teams according to interests and the timeliness of the application.

Teams are assigned about one month before classes start. You will be notified of your assignment two to three weeks before the start of the semester.

The OCI director assigns students to specific projects by evaluating complementary skills and experience. There is an effort made to create teams with diversity in age, culture, background, and field of study.

Yes. Roles include team leader, project manager, sponsor liaison, deliverables manager, and reports manager.

Countable hours could include time spent on team meetings, project research, work done on project deliverables, time spent on Canvas Modules and Qualtrics 360 Survey, and attendance at the MSB 494 class. Hours are logged on the dashboard page.

Sponsors expect students to view an OCI as a real job where real problems are solved. Students are required to be professional and use critical thinking and autonomy to complete projects.