Priorities:Polytechnic Institute of New York University Student Priorities

Overview

NYU-Poly as a school of engineering has developed a philosophy based on innovation, invention and entrepreneurship, captured by its motto,  i2e. This is the motivation driving Poly’s culture both academically and socially. But as Poly transitions into full integration in the NYU network, current students and alums are yearning for outlets to express their i2e identity. And this is where the gap stems from: an unawareness of design, consulting, and innovation focused communities affiliated with NYU-Poly and opportunities for valuable professional experience through the use of creative problem solving methodologies to consult on real world problems.

To tackle this issue, I am proposing to develop and host an innovation consulting competition. This competition serves three key purposes. The first is to provide an environment that enacts the i2e philosophy of NYU-Poly, thus allowing NYU-Poly students to practice with real world projects while collaborating with students from other schools. Second, is to start framing a narrative around students building a tangible portfolio of work  while offering corporate recruiters access to high profile talent. Lastly, the competition is a prototype that will expose NYU administration to the benefits of having a student innovation club and support the inauguration of the Greenhouse Collective (an innovation consulting group inspired by the Design Tinkering Club and the Greenhouse that is awaiting NYU approval and support).

Link to Prezi overview of campus ecosystem:  http://prezi.com/gdr0ztk4wxc3/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Calling all Students

Informational Session (come hear plans, offer feedback and help expand opportunities for all students)

• Where: Google Hangout On Air <a href="<a href="http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/hangouts/onair.html">http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/hangouts/onair.html</a>">[1]</a>
• When: TBD
• RSVP: TBD, if you have any inquiries please contact me at ta947@nyu.edu 

Strategy #1: Share the Vision

Gap #1: A general unawareness of design, consulting, and innovation focused communities affiliated with NYU-Poly and opportunities for valuable professional experience through the use of creative problem solving methodologies to consult on real world problems.

Following are an array of strategies that will fully address Gap #1 over a 2-3 year period:

Tactic #1: Building the Innovation Community

Description: I will be focused on building synergistic relationships among NYU students, faculty, and innovation consulting firms. We can tap into the different student clubs to source for talent and spread the world about the upcoming competition. We seek support from existing faculty who champion innovation and entrepreneurship, and tap into their networks for insight, advice, resources, and key networks. Lastly, we reach out to top innovation consulting firms willing to work with us to build relationship between their recruiters and out students.

Team Leader: Myself with the help of my advisor, Anne-Laure Fayard.

Milestones:

• Build an excel sheet called "People of Interest" (includes club leaders, key I&E people at NYU, and outside resources)
• Connect and share the competition proposal, gage their interest.

Tactic #2: Competition (innovation consulting through interdisiciplinary teams) 

Description: We host a cross-disciplinary innovation consulting competition that teaches teams on how to apply design thinking principles to address issues. The competition will be broken down into 3 milestone presentations that are focused on the business, design, or technical aspect of the project.

Team Leader: Me

Milestones:

• Sponsorship/Supporting Partners secured
• Showcases 1, 2, 3
• Announcing 1st place Winner

Tactic #3: Networking

Description:As a part of the competition, the contestants will have a chance to meet and greet professionals and HR personnel in the innovation consulting industry. Each contestant will be given a handbook on company profiles, breaking into the industry, internship and entry-level opportunities,  and a list of HR contacts.

Team Leader:TBD

Milestones:

• Supporting partners and their HR people network and meet with contestants

Strategy #2: ________

Following are an array of strategies that will fully address Gap #2 over a 2-3 year period:

Tactic #1: [Name of tactic]

• Description [250 words on why this strategy will solve this gap on your campus]
• Team Leader:: [Either your name, TBD or create a title assigned to the person who volunteers]
• Milestones: [A set of bullets that characterize the work that would likely need to be executed, along with mm/yy]

Tactic #2: [Name of tactic]

• Description [250 words on why this strategy will solve this gap on your campus]
• Team Leader:: [Either your name, TBD or create a title assigned to the person who volunteers]
• Milestones: [A set of bullets that characterize the work that would likely need to be executed, along with mm/yy]

Tactic #3: [Name of tactic]

• Description [250 words on why this strategy will solve this gap on your campus]
• Team Leader: [Either your name, TBD or create a title assigned to the person who volunteers]
• Milestones: [A set of bullets that characterize the work that would likely need to be executed, along with mm/yy]

Impact

Related Links

Polytechnic Institute of New York University

Terrence Agbi