Interested in participating? Click the Respond button above, or complete this Google Form to express your interest.
EM 675 is a professional practicum designed for students who are currently employed and applying their graduate education directly within the workplace. Throughout the course, students complete professional projects while receiving faculty guidance, mentorship and opportunities to learn from experienced leaders and professionals.
Each semester, students identify the professional topics on which they would most value additional mentorship, advice and perspective. Alumni and professional volunteers are invited to share their experiences, lessons learned and practical insights in areas that align with those interests.
A key learning outcome of the course is helping students develop the ability to communicate complex work, recommendations and results effectively to executive audiences who may not have deep expertise in the student's technical or professional domain.
Ways to Participate
Guest Speaker
Share your professional experience and practical lessons related to one or more areas of student interest. Sessions typically include an informal presentation or facilitated conversation followed by student questions.
Typical commitment: 60-90 minutes
Professional Q&A Panelist
Join other professionals for a facilitated discussion and student Q&A. Panels may explore topics such as leadership, organizational dynamics, cross-cultural communication, customer experience, career development or organizational transformation.
Typical commitment: 60-90 minutes
Final Presentation Panelist
Listen to students present the outcomes of their professional projects and provide constructive feedback from the perspective of an experienced professional or organizational leader. Volunteers do not need to be technical experts in the students' project areas. An important part of the exercise is helping students learn to communicate effectively with senior leaders and other audiences outside their areas of expertise.
Typical commitment: Up to 2.5 hours, depending on the number of student presentations.
Potential Discussion Areas
Previous topics of interest from students have included:
Leadership and Management
Strategic Leadership
Organizational Change
Business Transformation
Innovation
Data-Driven Decision Making
Executive Communication
Organizational Culture
Cross-Cultural Leadership and Communication
Leadership Across Teams and Organizations
Leadership Perspectives and Approaches
Career Development and Professional Growth
Leading Through Change and Uncertainty
Building and Leading Effective Teams
Decision Making and Organizational Influence
Lessons Learned Throughout a Leadership Career
Guests are encouraged to draw from their own professional experiences and perspectives rather than prepare a formal presentation.
Volunteer Experience
The goal is to make participation meaningful while requiring as little preparation from volunteers as possible.
Volunteers will receive relevant information in advance, which may include:
Course and student audience overview
Purpose and expectations for the engagement
Suggested questions or discussion prompts
Presentation materials or pre-reads when serving as a final presentation panelist
Session logistics and Zoom information
The faculty member will connect with volunteers in advance as appropriate to discuss their background, interests and the best fit for the class.
Timing
EM 675 is offered year-round, including summer. This Fall, the class will meet virtually on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.
At the beginning of each semester, students complete a survey identifying their highest-priority areas of professional interest. Those results are generally available during the first week of class, and guest engagements are then scheduled throughout the semester.
Because student interests and professional development needs change from semester to semester, alumni and professionals may express interest in participating at any time throughout the year.
Professionals from a wide range of industries, career paths, leadership experiences and areas of expertise are encouraged to participate.
