CEP - Information for organisations 2015

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
PROGRAM
CAREERS
& RECRUITMENT
CENTRE
UQ BUSINESS SCHOOL
UQ SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
TC BEIRNE SCHOOL OF LAW
What is the Community Engagement Program?
The Community Engagement Program (C.E.P.) provides students studying courses within Business,
Economics and Law at the University of Queensland with the opportunity to work on real life
projects within the community sector, engaging in an active learning environment with direct benefit
to not for profit and charity organisations.
The program is co-curricular (not for credit) and challenges students to develop their business
planning and strategy skills, leadership capability and networking skills whilst giving something back
to the community.
To enhance the performance of the students, the program includes compulsory business consulting
workshops run by external consultants on topics such as Market Research, Scoping a Project Brief
and Presenting with Impact.
The program is overseen by a full-time Project Coordinator and an Academic Steering Committee,
which receives regular updates on the project and any project outcomes. Depending on availability,
some project teams will be assigned a Project Advisor (UQ Academic, Alumni or relevant industry
professional).
Why get involved?
Many not for profit organisations find it difficult to allocate resources and/or time to work on
business projects. The CEP program links your organisation to a group of motivated undergraduate
and postgraduate students who can use their educational skills to bring new ideas and fresh
perspectives to a project.
The program also provides students with an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and gain
an insight into the challenges facing organisations in the “not for profit” world.
What kind of projects?
Examples of some recent projects are:

Social Media strategy for Talk Like a Pirate Day, a fundraising initiative that’s owned and run
by Childhood Cancer Support.

Legal implications of the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 for Queensland Farmers
Federation.
CAREERS
& RECRUITMENT
CENTRE
P +61 3365 4222
E [email protected]
careerservices.business.uq.edu.au

Design of HR policies and procedures, and cost benefit model for Joining Hands Australia,
not-for-profit social enterprise supporting vulnerable young people to access natural health
services and wellbeing programs.

Development of a successful financial plan for Love Your Work Wellness, who provide
massage services to for-profit businesses that “pay it forward” to subsidise the service for
non-profit employees.

Feasibility study and business plan for The Package, a subscription model mail order
underwear distribution service which benefits not for profit organisations.
What’s involved in the process?
Projects are offered to students twice a year at the beginning of each Semester. The below table
outlines the key milestones for all projects in the Community Engagement Program:
2/3 months
prior to
Semester
PROJECT BRIEF
CONFIRMED
Stakeholders meet with the Project Coordinator to define
the brief
Semester Commences – Projects offered to students, groups are recruited
Week 2-4 of
Semester
Week 5-6
MEETING WITH
STUDENTS
TASK BRIEF
SUBMITTED
Week 6-7
SECOND
MEETING WITH
STUDENTS
Week 8-10
Week 10-12
FINAL REPORT
PRESENTATION
Week 12 +
EVALUATION
Students meet the key stakeholders and take a formal brief
Students submit the task brief document for academic
review, which outlines their approach to achieving the
project objectives. Once approved, it is then submitted to
their client
Students meet with stakeholders to re-align, discuss their
progress or adjust the scope, if required
Students submit a final written report for academic review,
before submission to their client
Students present their work to the organisation, key
stakeholders or the Board
Students and participating organisations complete an
evaluation survey
What will my organisation need to provide?
Resources
 You will be required to provide a detailed brief on your proposed project. The program
coordinator, with input from the nominated Academic Steering Committee, will work with
you to ensure the Project Brief is set up to deliver the desired outcome, taking into
consideration the timeframe for delivery, capability of the students and resources available.

The students may require access to annual reports, marketing materials, existing business
plans, or other organisational materials.
CAREERS
& RECRUITMENT
CENTRE
P +61 3365 4222
E [email protected]
careerservices.business.uq.edu.au
Time commitment

The key stakeholders involved in the project will be required to give their time to meet the
following minimum:
1 x meeting with Project Coordinator to confirm Project Brief
1 x meeting with the selected students (at your offices, or on campus)
Review and feedback of the proposed task brief
1 x follow up meeting with the students
Review and feedback on the final report
Attend or host the final presentation (at your offices, or on campus)

Projects should be completed in one semester (3-4 months) and it is estimated that the
students should allocate around 50 hours on project work in total.
Where to from here?
If your organisation is interested in proposing a project for the CEP program please contact:
Cassandra Vickers
Program Coordinator
Careers and Recruitment Centre
The University of Queensland
E: [email protected]
P: +61 7 3346 3458
CAREERS
& RECRUITMENT
CENTRE
P +61 3365 4222
E [email protected]
careerservices.business.uq.edu.au