Beyond Case Studies: Gies MSM Students Tackle Real Business Challenges

Gies College of Business instructor Jeff Kurtz believes the Business Practicum (BADM 550) offers Masters in Management (MSM) students an unparalleled real-world experience.

“It’s the closest thing to actually working in a fast-paced business environment,” said Kurtz. “Students collaborate with real clients on real work. They face real team dynamics and meet real deadlines.”

Kurtz challenges students to go beyond “taking orders” to think critically about a client’s needs.

“Through experiential learning, they transition from a student mindset to that of a confident professional, ready to launch their career after graduating from one of the world’s top business schools,” said Kurtz. 

The Business Practicum is a cornerstone of the on-campus Master of Science in Management (MSM) degree at the University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business. This dynamic nine-month program develops in-demand business skills for students from non-business undergraduate backgrounds. The STEM-designated program’s credits are also stackable toward Gies’ online MBA (iMBA), creating a seamless pathway for further education and professional development.

“The MSM program’s experiential learning component provides valuable exposure to working in various industries on challenges businesses face daily,” said Salvo Rodriquez, associate director of business development for the Magelli Office of Experiential Learning. “Unlike a carefully crafted case study, students collaborate directly with clients, applying classroom concepts to develop real-world solutions.” 

Each semester, approximately 85 students, divided into small groups, contribute roughly 6,000 hours to projects with working with firms across industries. Recent client affiliates include AT&T, Bosch, DOT Foods, The Hartford, and Pearson.

“We teach students the ‘why’ behind a client request,” said Kurtz. “We encourage them to look at the bigger picture. If a client asks for a social media marketing strategy, we ask them to find out why. What do they really want? What’s the underlying business need?” 

Sophie Moon, a current MSM student whose team explored generative AI solutions for a Fortune 100 company, found the practicum invaluable.

“This was my first time leading a project, which was a huge responsibility,” said Moon. “As a project manager, I learned how to effectively lead a team in a collaborative way and communicate with stakeholders.”

Moon, who earned her undergraduate degree in English, discovered her passion for business during an internship with the Foreign Commercial Service Team at the US Embassy in Seoul. Attracted to the STEM-designated MSM program’s ability to bridge the gap for international students seeking US-based careers, Moon found the experiential learning component particularly valuable. She says it taught her to analyze the underlying motivations behind a company’s business challenges and strengthened the soft skills important for building strong relationships with teammates and clients.

For Hayley Stachniak (MSM ’25), who earned her bachelor’s degree in lyric theater from the University of Illinois, the MSM program moves her closer to her goal of working in the entertainment industry or event management. 

“I’ve learned that I love working in a business environment and realized that my passion is to not necessarily be a musician, but to help them achieve their goals and reach larger populations,” said Stachniak. “It has been extremely rewarding to put my creative skills to use and build upon my prior knowledge.”

Susan Quinn, assistant director of the Magelli Office of Experiential Learning, said Stachniak is an example of how students leverage the MSM program to gain practical business experience.

“They learn to navigate team dynamics and are exposed to everything from professional email etiquette to building consensus on project priorities,” said Quinn. 

According to Kurtz, the client affiliates, primarily small to medium-sized businesses, are fully engaged and seeking solutions crucial to their success. 

“We give students the opportunity to collaborate with clients who have a real stake in the outcome, bringing their own perspectives and constraints to the table,” said Kurtz. “We also encourage our client affiliates to give regular feedback and constructive criticism, mirroring a true professional experience.”

Sean Hesano (BA ’22), a marketing specialist at Grand Rapids, MI-based UFP Packaging, credits his experiential learning experiences at Gies with helping him land his first job and excel in his current one. He convinced his company’s leadership of the benefits of participating in the Business Practicum, and they have partnered on competitive analysis and market research. 

“I’ll always be an advocate for this program because I so strongly believe in its value for both students and companies,” said Hesano. “Few business schools offer this type of hands-on experiential learning. Gies Business fosters genuine mutual growth. Why pass up the opportunity to work with super smart students on projects that grow our business?” 

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Learn more about the MSM program at Gies College of Business: giesbusiness.illinois.edu