[bioundgrd] Fwd: Volunteer Consulting Group: IAP 2013

[Janice Chang]

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> Gain experience volunteering with a start-up company on a business project during IAP 2013!
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> WHAT?: the VOLUNTEER CONSULTING GROUP (VCG) is organized by the consulting club at MIT (CCM) to give graduate students valuable experience and introduce them to consulting work. You will do a project in a small team with one of two local companies on a real business problem they have. See below for descriptions of this year's projects.
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> WHEN?: the IAP program will run for 4 weeks starting January 7th 2013. You will need to commit 10-20 hours per week for this period of time, including 2 weekly team meetings and one weekly meeting with the host company.
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> FOR WHO?: any graduate student at MIT who is interested in consulting, working with start-up companies or simply looking for a different, interesting experience during IAP.
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> HOW TO APPLY: 
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> 1. If you are busy with finals this week, send me a quick email stating your interest (along with any questions you may have), and I will add you to a preliminary applicant list. 
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> 2. By 20th December please send me a 200-word statement of purpose explaining how you would benefit from the VCG. Also state your preference for either project #1 or #2 (below).
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> THIS YEAR'S PROJECTS: more details will be available upon successful application.
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> 1. SIALIX (http://sialix.com/)
> Sialix is developing products based on new biological discoveries of non-human sialic acids, their dietary role and inflammatory consequences, and their potential impact on cancer, cardiovascular, and other inflammatory-mediated diseases.  This project will evaluate the market opportunity for an application of Sialix's technology in the food services industry.
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> 2.  SiEnergy SYSTEMS (http://www.sienergysystems.com/)
> SiEnergy Systems is commercializing thin film solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with a primary target market of portable and distributed power generation. They have identified a different potential market for their technology and would like to compare the two, to strategize where to allocate their resources in the near term.
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> Reply to: wherbert at mit.edu
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> FAQ's:
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> I have no consulting experience, can I still participate? 
> - Yes, of course, your experience (or lack thereof!) doesn't matter at all, this is a learning experience. You will be coached by a McKinsey consultant (TBC) in how to approach the case and you will be mentored throughout the 4 week project by a team organizer with more experience.
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> I am not an MIT student, can I apply?
> - We will give preference to MIT graduate students but members of affiliated institutions such as Harvard are welcome to send in their applications, especially if you have been active with the CCM before.
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> What is the time commitment for these projects?
> - This is a volunteer assignment, so up to you! But typically around 10-20 hours per week is sufficient to produce a high quality project that you can be proud of. You will be required to attend a minimum of two brainstorming meetings with your team per week, and one 1-hr meeting with the host company (meeting times to be decided together).
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> I will be away for some of the period of 4 weeks, starting on Jan 7th. Does that matter?
> - Preferably you will be in Cambridge for the duration of the project, but if you will be away for a couple of days, absolutely still apply. Please indicate the dates you expect to be away.
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> What is the final deliverable?
> - In the final company meeting you will present your recommendation on the company's strategy to the management of the company and the executive committee of the CCM. In addition we will organize a separate presentation meeting with everyone participating in the VCG, including the other team so you can see how they got on as well!
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> William Herbert
> PhD Candidate, MIT Materials Science and Engineering
> +1 617 768 7622
> 216 Norfolk St, Cambridge, MA 02139
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