Full-Time MBA

"[Our team of student consultants'] research, findings and recommendations will provide us with additional data needed to make prudent decisions for the Gannett Company ... It is our hope that someday they'll look back at newspapers and see the mark they've made in helping our industry define ways to reach and engage the younger reader." - Helen S. Hoffman, Director/Circulation Sales, Gannett Newspaper Division

Build your resume with real world consulting

"I had a great experience working with the client, the EPs of our team (Bill Lippman & Frank Knuettle), our Faculty Advisor (Jim Olver), and the student team. My Field Consultancy experience has without a doubt been the highlight of my MBA studies." - Tulika Makharia MBA '08 (pictured, bottom row fourth from right)

Nothing builds valuable experience and translates business theory into reality better than Mason's Field Consultancy Program.

Each year, William and Mary contracts with major companies across Virginia. Teams of second-year MBA students work as consultants charged with identifying, researching and proposing a solution for a real business problem faced by their client organization. Each project focuses on different issues, based on the needs of our clients.

William and Mary MBAs have confronted challenging assignments in areas such as corporate and operational finance, marketing, strategy, management and organization, logistics and transportation, human resources and information technology. Students with an entrepreneurial interest may choose to work on business start-up projects, under the auspices of the Entrepreneurship Center.

Each project team works under the guidance of a faculty member and Executive Partner to address management issues, develop a deeper understanding of the interdependence of functional areas, and polish teamwork and communication skills.

Clients benefit from a fresh, innovative perspective on a business problem and have the opportunity to observe your business savvy in action. In many cases, the Mason School of Business develops long-term working relationships with our Field Consultancy clients that result in post-MBA professional opportunities for our students.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield:

2006-2007: Medicaid Outreach Program:
While developing strategies to improve the effectiveness of Anthem’s Medicaid Outreach Program and accompanying reporting system, the William and Mary MBA Field Consultancy team is examining the information flow of outreach visit data, visit costs and the program’s capability to produce desired results, including encouraging clients to proactively manage their health.

2005-2006: Analysis of a Customer-Centric View of Service:
The William and Mary MBA Field Consultancy team conducted research to develop a general knowledge of the health insurance industry and learn about Anthem’s products, market segments, and service delivery in order to find forward thinking, best practices, and innovation in customer service.

Spring 2008 Clients:

Field Consultancy:

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
  • Cox Communications
  • Ferguson Enterprises
  • Gannett Newspapers
  • Marmon Water
  • Smithfield Foods 

Entrepreneurship Center:

  • Atrian Technologies
  • Design Master
  • Risk Analysis & Management, Inc. 

 

Ferguson Enterprises:

2006-2007: Business to Consumer E-commerce Marketing Analysis:
Building on Ferguson’s reputation for superior customer service as a leader in contractor and business-to-business (B2B) distribution of plumbing, PVF and HVAC fixtures, the William and Mary MBA Field Consultancy team is developing an e-commerce model that will facilitate the organization’s move into business-to-consumer (B2C) retailing. The team is performing a strategic analysis to target a thorough understanding of the B2C e-commerce environment, and identifying internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats.