Miami Tech Works EPIC Cross-Functional Team Project

Miami Tech Works  and the  US Chamber of Commerce Foundation  have partnered together to launch  EPIC  (Employer Provided Innovation Challenges). EPIC  is designed to offer students high-quality work-based learning experiences that are authentic, employer-designed, problem-based, relevant and prepare students with job-ready skills. With this opportunity, local businesses collaborate with students from Miami Dade College, with backgrounds in  technology, business, data science, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship . These students are equipped with practical skills in areas such as  business analysis, marketing strategy, software development/engineering, user experience design, and research , and are eager to apply their knowledge to solve real business challenges. Student + Employer Collaboration Students and Employers will collaborate on challenges by exploring innovative approaches to problem solving, proposing solutions, and presenting final recommendations and deliverables upon conclusion of the project. Resources needed A clearly defined project challenge (preferably aligned with a current business objective) Designated company mentor(s) to meet with student teams weekly or biweekly A list of defined student roles and expectations for each project Access to any relevant data, tools, or systems necessary to complete the project Optional: participation in kick-off and final presentation sessions Resources Provided Support from Miami Tech Works in project scoping and student-team coordination Templates for project planning, role definition, and milestone tracking Midpoint check-in to ensure alignment and progress Final presentation event facilitated by Miami Tech Works Post-project feedback form and opportunity to engage in future rounds Project Examples Miami Tech Works is seeking  real-world, innovation-driven projects  that allow students to contribute meaningfully to your organization while developing professional skills. Projects should reflect challenges your business is currently facing—or opportunities you're exploring—and can be scoped to a 6–8 week timeline. Ideal projects are: Cross-functional in nature (involving multiple skillsets) Research-based or solution-focused Scoped clearly with measurable objectives Open to creativity, collaboration, and fresh perspectives Examples of Projects Students Can Complete Market Analysis & Strategy: Identify new customer segments or opportunities for expansion using data-driven research and competitive analysis. Product Design & User Experience: Conduct user interviews, develop user personas, and create wireframes or UX/UI prototypes for a new or existing product. Social Media & Digital Marketing Strategy: Audit your digital presence, develop a content strategy, and propose a targeted social media campaign. Data Analytics Dashboard: Build a dashboard using tools like Power BI or Tableau to visualize key metrics for internal reporting or customer insights. Process Optimization: Analyze internal workflows and propose improvements using Lean or Agile frameworks to enhance team productivity. AI/Automation Use Case Exploration: Identify an area of your business where AI or automation could be implemented, research potential tools, and present a pilot concept. Customer Journey Mapping: Deep dive into customer feedback, map out user touchpoints, and recommend service design enhancements. Additional employer criteria Employers must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this opportunity: Do you have experience working with students? If so, please elaborate   How are you ensuring that this project is beneficial to the learner?   I attest that this Challenge is designed as a specific project to support learners and is not filling missing headcount for my organization. What technologies, tools, or platforms will students need to be familiar with for these projects?   Who from your company will be mentoring the students?   Are there any confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements students will need to sign?