At Kellogg, there are many opportunities to acquire experience with real world issues that are based outside of coursework. Conferences, business plan competitions, internships, and club activities add more relevance to academics to elevate the skills and opportunities of Kellogg students.
Global Health Initiative (GHI) GHI (
thinkglobalhealth.org) is a partnership between private industry, non-profit donors and academia to develop products that address health issues facing underserved communities around the world. Northwestern University received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to research and develop affordable HIV diagnostics for resource-limited settings. Scientists and engineers from the McCormick School of Engineering work with existing intellectual property to develop platform diagnostics. Kellogg students gather and research user requirements, market dynamics, government procedures, and distribution channels for the developing world. In addition to valuable insight into the product innovation process, GHI gives students the experience of working in a medical device environment from cradle to grave. In three years, more than 200 Kellogg students participated in GHI through coursework or field research.
Kellogg Board Fellow Program
This student-led program has become highly competitive with 45 - 48 Fellows selected each year. Each Fellow is matched with a Chicago-area nonprofit Board of Directors and serves ex officio on the Board from spring of the first year at Kellogg through June of the second year. The Fellow serves as a non-voting member of the Board, actively contributing in a mutually agreed upon way – usually through completion of a project that supports the work of the Board. In addition to gaining real-world experience on a Board of Directors, the Fellow also completes two courses: Board Governance and Advanced Board Governance, which offer the opportunity to study best practices, examine trends in nonprofit governance, exchange insights, and learn how to be an effective board member.
Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice
There are numerous opportunities to develop and enhance entrepreneurial skills in the Levy Center, including a summer internship program, select business plan competitions, independent study, the Levy Associate program, and Entrepreneur-in-Residence Program.
Levy Kellogg Entrepreneurial Internship Program (KEIP)
First year students can experience entrepreneurship first-hand through a summer internship with a small business in the area. Host companies provide real world projects and environments that allow students to make a real contribution to the company while having an invaluable learning experience.
Entrepreneur-In-Residence
The Levy Institute developed a program for Kellogg students sincerely interested in entrepreneurship to learn from experienced entrepreneurs in a personable one-on-one session. For five to eight weeks each quarter, an entrepreneur will be invited to meet with students to answer questions and provide advice.
Heizer Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital
Private Equity Internship Program (PEIP)
In this summer internship program, students gain an understanding of a firm in the private equity industry. Typically, PEIP is most beneficial for those students who have non-traditional backgrounds and lack private equity experience.
Kellogg Venture Capital Competition
Kellogg’s VC competition, held in the fall quarter, brings in real companies with real funding requirements. Student teams act as venture capitalists: conduct due diligence on the company and present an investment recommendation, including an investment thesis, to the judges. Judges comprise industry experts such as venture capitalists and entrepreneurs.
Social Enterprise at Kellogg Social Enterprise at Kellogg (SEEK) helps to develop more socially responsible global leaders through leadership and decision-making activities. Leadership opportunities are available through student organizations and SEEK’s affiliation with Kellogg research centers (including the Center for Nonprofit Management and the Ford Motor Company Center for Global Citizenship). The Kellogg School supports a several summer internships in public and nonprofit organizations with matching stipends, while SEEK and the Career Management Center help graduates obtain positions in the public and nonprofit sectors through loan assistance and fellowships. For example, the Beacon Capital Fellows Program supports graduating Kellogg School students who work with nonprofit and public organizations through one-year fellowships.
Conferences
Typically, Kellogg students present about a dozen conferences each year. The conferences allow students to apply their leadership and management skills, and to learn from business leaders and industry practitioners from around the world.
Student Club and Group DirectoryThe more than 80 student clubs at Kellogg reflect the wide range of students’ personal and professional interests. Each club represents opportunities for you to further develop your leadership skills and to create awareness around the pursuits that are important in your life.
