With 1Kelley Consulting, Kelley undergraduate students work in teams to analyze a local business and offer recommendations for future growth and improvement. You’ll engage in classroom workshops on consulting, project management, client communication, and cultural competence.
1Kelley consultants work together to apply what they’ve learned in their coursework to make a lasting impact in Bloomington’s small business community.
You’ll gain consulting experience and build critical career competencies that include:
When you join a 1Kelley team, you’re empowered to lead the client relationship and control project direction, exercising creativity and agility in responding to the client’s needs. Attentive coaching by the Full-Time MBA student leaders deepens learning and provides valuable feedback throughout the process.
The 1Kelley experience will strengthen your ability to lead with compassion, communicate across cultures, and collaborate with individuals from different backgrounds—skills essential for today’s global business landscape.
We welcome any Kelley School of Business undergraduate student to apply, regardless of major or year. Our project teams are most successful with a mix of first-year, sophomore, junior, and senior students.
We create well-rounded teams of students committed to the core elements of the 1Kelley vision: community involvement, meaningful collaboration, and compassionate support of small business. We look for self-starters who take initiative and ownership of the client project. Applicants should collaborate well with others from a range of backgrounds and show a willingness to learn and receive feedback. Other important attributes include adaptability, creativity, strong communication skills, and an openness to different perspectives.
The course meets twice weekly in the classroom for lectures, guest speakers, and workshops in relevant topics like consulting, project management, client communication, presentation skills, and cultural competency. Outside of class, project teams meet at least 2-3 additional times per week with their project team, client, and MBA leader. Applicants must be committed to putting in the time and energy needed to build a strong client relationship and deliver something valuable to the client.
Applications for Applications for 2024–2025 have closed. Applications will open again next September for 2025-2026.
Gather Shoppe sells handmade gifts on consignment, with a focus on sustainability and contemporary themes.
Key project deliverables and impact:
“1Kelley was a rewarding opportunity to work with a well-rounded team and a real client, bring about positive change for her local business, and build my own skills in research, problem-solving, and strategy.”
Kate Smith, BS’27