ProgramsGraduate Consulting Experience (Summer 2026)

Graduate Consulting Experience (Summer 2026)

Program Overview
Program Title Graduate Consulting Experience (Summer 2026)
Organization Fordham University
# of Students Enrolled
0
# of Projects Running
10 Project/s Added (of 10 Projects Expected)

Program Timeline

Project Duration

Start Date: 05/25/26      End Date: 07/17/26

2 months
Collaboration Overview
About Students

Participants in the Graduate Consulting Experience are highly motivated graduate students from Fordham University with strong academic foundations and diverse professional interests. These students bring interdisciplinary perspectives across strategy, marketing, operations, finance, and analytics, and are selected for their ability to work collaboratively, think critically, and communicate professionally. 

Students approach each project as a real consulting engagement. They are expected to engage thoughtfully with industry partners, analyze complex business challenges, and deliver actionable recommendations. Throughout the program, students demonstrate professionalism, adaptability, and accountability—treating partner organizations as real clients and the work as portfolio- and resume-ready experience.

Student Level:   Graduate Degree

Student Time Commitment:   Full Time

Team Structure:   2 - 6

Program Goals
The Graduate Consulting Experience is designed to prepare students for post-graduate careers by immersing them in real-world consulting engagements. Through this program, students will: 

  • Apply graduate-level coursework to real business challenges faced by industry organizations

  • Strengthen strategic thinking, analytical problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making skills

  • Build professional communication skills through client presentations, reports, and stakeholder collaboration

  • Gain exposure to different industries, business models, and organizational contexts

  • Develop leadership, teamwork, and project management capabilities in a fast-paced consulting environment

  • Build professional confidence and clarity around career paths through hands-on experience

For industry partners, this structure ensures thoughtful analysis, disciplined execution, and high-quality deliverables aligned with real business needs.
Format Structure

Multiple Projects Multiple Teams
Format Title Graduate Consulting Experience
Format Description
The Graduate Consulting Experience is an 8-week, project-based consulting program in which teams of graduate students work directly with industry partners to address a defined strategic or operational challenge.

Each participating organization is paired with a dedicated student team that functions as an external consulting group. Students conduct research, analyze data, evaluate options, and develop recommendations tailored to the organization’s goals. Projects are designed to be right-sized for the summer timeline while still delivering meaningful insights and tangible value.

How the engagement typically works:

  • A kickoff meeting to align on goals, scope, and success metrics

  • Regular check-ins to share progress, validate assumptions, and gather feedback

  • Independent student work focused on research, analysis, and solution development

  • A final presentation and written deliverable summarizing findings and recommendations

The program is fully remote and structured to minimize time burden on industry partners while maximizing impact. Partners are supported throughout the engagement by program staff to ensure smooth communication and a productive experience.
Benefits For Industry Partners
By participating, organizations gain: 

  • Fresh perspectives and strategic insights from graduate-level talent

  • Dedicated teams focused on a specific business challenge

  • Actionable recommendations grounded in research and analysis

  • Early access to emerging talent and potential future hires

  • An opportunity to contribute to experiential learning while advancing real priorities

This program is ideal for organizations seeking thoughtful analysis, creative problem-solving, and a low-risk way to explore new ideas or initiatives.
Project Modality Hybrid
Industry Partner Requirements to Participate
Project Topics Budgeting, Forecasting, and Cost Optimization Corporate Social Responsibility Data Management Digital Marketing Employee and Labor Management Entrepreneurship Growth Strategy Innovation International Affairs Inventory Management Marketing Operations PR & Communications Product Design & Development Purchasing, Logistics, Supply Chain Quality Control Reporting, Financial Planning & Analysis Research & Development Research, Analysis, Evaluation Sales & Business Development Strategic Planning Sustainability & ESG Talent Management Technology Commercialization Training & Development
Target Industries Aerospace & Defense Agriculture & Farming Arts & Recreation Biotech & Pharmaceuticals Computers & Hardware Construction, Repair & Maitenance Consumer Services Education Energy & Utilities Fashion & Apparel Finance Food & Beverage Government Health Care Insurance Manufacturing Media Natural Resources Non-Profit Professional Services Public Works Real Estate Restaurants, Bars & Food Services Retail Semiconductor Software & IT Sports & Entertainment Telecommunications Transportation & Logistics Travel & Tourism
Skills & Expertise Brand Strategy Break-Even Analysis Budget Development and Forecasting Budgeting Business Analysis Business Writing Capital Allocation Analysis Change Management Client Communication Competitive Analysis Content Strategy Cost Optimization Cost Optimization Modeling Cost Structure Analysis CRM Analysis Cross-Functional Collaboration Customer Discovery Dashboard Development Data Analysis Data Visualization Design Thinking Digital Marketing Strategy Executive Presentation Design Financial Analysis Financial Assumptions Testing Financial Controls and Governance Financial Modeling Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Financial Risk Assessment Financial Tradeoff Analysis Go-To-Market Strategy Growth Strategy Development Innovation Frameworks Investment Prioritization Frameworks KPI Development Long-Term Financial Sustainability Analysis Market Research Operating Budget Design Operations Analysis Organizational Assessment Problem Framing Process Improvement Professional Consulting Practices Program-Level Cost Analysis Project Management Projections Proposal Development Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Reporting and Insights Research Design Resource Allocation Modeling Sales & Business Development Support Scenario and Sensitivity Analysis Software and Platform Assessment Solution Development Stakeholder Engagement Strategic Thinking Survey Design Technology Evaluation Unit Economics Analysis User Research Variance Analysis
Location Information & Preferences

New York, NY 10023, USA

Located Anywhere

Organizations from anywhere in the U.S. or globally are welcome to submit projects and collaborate with students fully remotely throughout the program. 

For organizations located in the New York metropolitan area, there may be opportunities to coordinate optional on-site visits if it aligns with student availability and academic schedules. These visits can enhance collaboration through in-person meetings, site tours, or working sessions, but are not required for participation. 

If on-site engagement is pursued: 

  • Travel and related expenses (transportation, meals, lodging if applicable) are the responsibility of the participating organization

  • Informal networking opportunities—such as lunches, dinners, or happy hours—are encouraged when appropriate and are also covered by the organization

  • All on-site activities must be coordinated in advance with program staff to ensure alignment with university policies and student schedules

The program is intentionally designed to be remote-first, allowing organizations to participate regardless of location while offering optional in-person engagement for partners seeking deeper connection with student teams.
Sponsorship

Sponsorship Requested (Optional):

Pre-Revenue Startup an exact contribution amount of $500.0

Growth Startup an exact contribution amount of $500.0

Small to Medium Business an exact contribution amount of $500.0

Large Enterprise an exact contribution amount of $500.0

Government Organization an exact contribution amount of $500.0

Non-Profit an exact contribution amount of $500.0

Compensation

No Compensation Required

Other Requirements
To ensure a productive and mutually beneficial collaboration, participating organizations are expected to: 

  • Provide a Real, Well-Scoped Challenge
    Submit a genuine business, strategy, or operational challenge that can be meaningfully explored within the program timeline and student capacity.

  • Designate a Primary Point of Contact
    Assign one individual to serve as the main liaison for the student team, responsible for coordination, feedback, and decision-making access.

  • Participate in Key Touchpoints
    Engage in a kickoff meeting and periodic check-ins (typically bi-weekly or as agreed) to guide progress, clarify expectations, and answer questions.

  • Offer Timely Feedback
    Review interim deliverables and provide constructive feedback to help students refine their analysis and recommendations.

  • Share Non-Sensitive Information
    Be willing to share relevant background materials, context, or non-confidential data necessary for students to understand the problem and deliver value.

  • Support Professional Collaboration
    Communicate respectfully, professionally, and responsively, recognizing that this is a learning experience designed to simulate real-world consulting or project work.

  • Participate in Final Presentations
    Attend the final presentation or review session (virtually or in person, depending on format) to hear student recommendations and provide closing feedback.

  • Align with Academic and Ethical Standards
    Adhere to university policies related to student engagement, data privacy, and ethical collaboration.

  • Optional: Confidentiality Agreements
    If needed, provide or sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect sensitive information shared during the project.
Expected Time Commitment For Project Managers 1 Hour per week
Key Program Dates Due Date

Program Timeline

Touchpoints & Assignments Date Type

Projects

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Teams

Team Name  Project Name  Team Members 
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