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EPIC Opportunity - call for Pennsylvania challenge project

Open Closing on January 1, 2025 / 1 spot left
PA Chamber Foundation
PA Chamber Foundation
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Elizabeth Bolden She / Her
Executive Director
1
Timeline
  • January 21, 2025
    Experience start
  • May 1, 2025
    Experience end
Experience
1 projects wanted
Dates set by experience
Preferred companies
Pennsylvania, United States
Small to medium enterprise, Social Enterprise, Startup, Large enterprise, Non profit
Any industries
Categories
Digital marketing Data analysis Communications Market research
Skills
research powerpoint active listening collaboration creativity critical thinking time management
Learner goals and capabilities

EPIC aspires to significantly scale high-quality work-based learning experiences through a national network of accredited clearinghouses that provide authentic, employer-led problem-based learning experiences to learners and workers.


This opportunity, provided by the PA Chamber Foundation offers local businesses the chance to work with students in the Cheyney University Honors Academy to help you problem solve or focus on a specific business challenge. The learners will collaborate with you on the challenge, how this might be approached, what solutions could be posed and present you with final presentations.


The Cheyney University Honors Academy offers unique opportunities to a select number of academically talented undergraduate students with a focus on interdisciplinary learning, elevating the awareness of social justice, and independent research.


If you’re interested in working with a group of students, please do the following:


  1. Submit a project here for the Riipen and PA Chamber Foundation teams to review. Create a meaningful, real-world project that addresses a challenge your organization is facing.
  2. Our team will arrange a call to meet and review the Challenge project. 
  3. Once approved, you will be matched with a team of 5-8 students. 
  4. Projects should be 4-8 weeks in length and will take place between January-April 2025.  


Why Participate?

  • Shape the Future Workforce: Engage directly with learners and workers, contributing to their career development and preparing them with durable skills for real-world challenges.
  • Gain Fresh Insights: Access innovative ideas and solutions from diverse teams of learners who are eager to tackle the unique challenges your organization is facing.
  • Strengthen Your Brand: Enhance your organization's reputation as a leader in workforce development and community engagement.
  • Create Impact at Scale: Collaborate with a network of business associations, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and workforce development partners to make a broader impact.
  • Employee Engagement: Enhance employee skills development, improve employee satisfaction and retention
Learners
Workforce Development
Intermediate levels
10 learners
Project
40 hours per learner
Educators assign learners to projects
Teams of 5
Expected outcomes and deliverables

The project deliverables will vary based on the specific project scope but will include assets that can be used to further your business goals. Deliverables might include, but are not limited to: reports, research, survey results and analyses, business plan, marketing campaign, etc.

Project timeline
  • January 21, 2025
    Experience start
  • May 1, 2025
    Experience end
Project Examples

All types of projects which will provide valuable insight to the employer and a meaningful student learning experience are encouraged.


Examples of previous challenges include:

  • developing a social media marketing strategy
  • designing a talent attraction plan
  • producing a research report on a business challenge
  • streamlining processes
  • data analysis
  • website development
  • retail store redesign


Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:

Do you have experience working with students? If so, please elaborate

A representative of the company will be available for a pre-selection discussion with the administrator of the course to review the project scope.

A representative of the company will be available for a weekly check-in meeting during the project period.

I understand that we must provide ongoing mentorship and guidance to the team of students working on my project. We must be responsive to any questions, and check in on progress to help ensure a good result.

We will evaluate the participants' final project submissions within 5 business days, offering feedback that can be utilized by the participants to strengthen their resumes.

This activity is designed as a specific project to support learners who are enrolled at Cheyney University and is not filling in missing headcount for the organization.