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Student Innovation Projects

SIP — Jasmine Morse, BA Fashion Management & Marketing

Making sure that you are using the transferable skills that you have learnt during your time at University is just as important as your exams and assignments; but how can you put them into practice? Student Innovation Projects are a great opportunity to exercise the areas in which you already excel, increase your knowledge of the working environment and truly make a real impact on how an existing organisation operates.

Applications are now open!

Visit MyCareer to view all the current Student Innovation Projects and apply.

COVID-19 guidance

As we are sure you will appreciate, we are currently in an unprecedented situation with the outbreak of coronavirus, which has significantly affected the Student Innovation Projects. We appreciate that these circumstances may be giving you cause for concern and we are aiming to do everything possible to support you. Therefore, we have put together advice and guidance that relates to all Work Experience Programmes which you may find helpful. Student Innovation Projects will be fully virtual in 2020/21 to enable safe participation in the programme.

Please read our dedicated COVID-19 guidance document

How will Student Innovation Projects benefit you?

Student Innovation Projects are designed for you to be able to gain valuable experience working on a real-life business issue with other students across disciplines. You will be working in a small team paired with either a business, or non-profit organisation to create inventive ways to solve problems and help their business thrive.

These projects are a fantastic way to build your awareness of business problems, and an insight into how to build a professional network while developing skills including:

o Confidence o Time management

o Report writing o Critical thinking

o Problem solving o Market research

o Presentation o Commercial Awareness

For full information regarding Student Innovation Projects 2020/21 please take a look at the Student Handbook. Contact workexp@soton.ac.uk if you have any questions about the programme.

What previous participants have said:

63 students who recently took part in the Student Innovation Project responded to a survey about their experience in which:

98% said they have developed skills and enhanced employability prospects by participating on the Project

100% would recommend the Student Innovation Project to friends/peers

My confidence has improved now I have experience dealing with a ‘real business’, I know now how to put a proper business report together and I have learnt more about how to work successfully in a team.

Eligibility

What is a Student Innovation Project?

How to Apply

Student Innovation Projects are exclusive to University of Southampton students.
Students on any degree discipline can take part, but please ensure the Project does not interfere with your academic workload.
Third year and Masters students should bear in mind that Semester 2 Projects sometimes fall over Easter and the months leading up to dissertation deadlines. Please take your workload around this time into account, as pulling out of the programme can significantly affect your group, your project and your client.

Please note: Student Innovation Projects are only available to students currently studying at the University. If you will not be studying for the entire 6-week duration of the project, then you will not be eligible.

Additionally: Being appointed onto the Student Innovation Projects is a competitive process and unfortunately, not everyone is successful. When selecting students to participate in the programme we take into consideration the quality of the student application in terms of how well questions have been answered, attention to detail and accuracy. Additionally, in order to ensure a meaningful experience for our students and clients, we seek to appoint interdisciplinary teams with a mix of skillsets, diversity of degree subject, year group and nationality.

Student Innovation Projects will see you working in a small group with other students to solve a real-life business issue given to you by your client (a business or third-sector charity). Working together, you will need to research the issue and report back to the client, providing recommendations of practical solutions to the problem.

Your participation in a project will involve the following:

The completion of a mandatory training module followed by a meeting with the work experience team ahead of your project commencing
Assignment to a team, who you will meet at the initial meeting with the work experience team
An initial meeting with your client to discuss their business needs
Support throughout the project will be available from your client and the Careers and Employability Service
Work to be carried out on the project for the duration of the 6 weeks – all team members to play an active role in the project and to work together to fit around other commitments
Final report to be produced and team presentation to your client and members of the Careers and Employability Service at the end of the 6 weeks
The completion of a reflection module to help you recognise the skills you have acquired from participating in your project and how best to present these in future applications

The project duration is 6 weeks and requires around 4-6 hours of your time each week. All meetings with your team, your client and the Work Experience team will be held virtually, including your final presentation.

Applications are now open! To apply to be part of a Student Innovation Project, you will need to complete an application form on MyCareer. In your application, you will need to explain why you want to take part in the programme, and what skills you can bring to your team.

Register Your Interest