DeKALB – The Experiential Learning Center in Barsema Hall Room 303 provides real-world experience for NIU students of all majors. As part of the College of Business, the ELC program is led by Jason Gorham, the director of Business Consulting. 

“It’s a big misconception that this is only available to business students,” Gorham said.

The ELC is open to students of all backgrounds and interests. Gorham explained that experience with real-world companies and solving real-world business issues is valuable, as hiring professionals value skills that these situations require, like working in a team and having self-discipline.

“They (Companies) want you to be able to formulate your thoughts into a presentation. In the ELC, you develop all of those soft skills that people don’t get in class. You’re exposed to how to function within a team of six or seven people of diverse backgrounds and experiences and skills. You’re learning how to conduct research and how to justify an idea that you have,” Gorham said. “Everybody, no matter what major you’re in, should have a general idea of how businesses work.”

In the program, students are split into teams of four to eight and are assigned a company to work with during the semester. The teams will have three in-person meetings with the company and weekly contact with someone within the organization, where two students from the team will give updates.

“This ensures alignment in the scope of the project, so the students know they’re asking the right questions, the company knows the team is asking the right questions, the company knows they’re heading in the right direction,” Gorham said.

One of these meetings takes place at the beginning of the semester, where students can ask questions to learn more about the project and develop a contract between the team and the company. At the mid-semester mark, students deliver a presentation that summarizes work done so far and give updates about the company they are assigned to. At the end of the semester, the students do a final presentation directly to the leaders of the organization.

Students who want to get involved with the Experiential Learning Center can apply on the Experiential Learning Center website. The only criteria to join the course is to be an upperclassmen or graduate student and to complete the application and interview process. 

“It’s just such an amazing confidence booster and resume builder. I recommend this to all students,” Gorham said.