This immersion, offered in collaboration with Two Sides Consulting, is designed to equip you with the skills to leverage data for strategic business insights in the sports industry.

Apply by Sunday, December 1

About Professional Edge Immersions

Immersions are cohort-based programs offered through our Professional Edge program aimed at helping students gain applied experience with in-demand skillsets through a work-aligned project.

Benefits of Participating

• Get real-world, industry-aligned experience: Using real data, you will analyze key metrics and trends, develop actionable insights, and provide strategic recommendations to a client.
   
• Stand out from other applicants: Develop resume-worthy experience and talking points for showcasing to future employers.
   
• Earn a business insights accelerator microcredential: Issued by the Lundquist College of Business, the business insights accelerator microcredential is a validated digital record of the skills you've developed and demonstrated throughout the project. Microcredentials can be highlighted on LinkedIn or in a digital resume.

Required Program Activities

This program will run between weeks 2–8 of winter term. You can expect to dedicate 6–8 hours per week contributing to the project on your own time. Additionally, the following program activities are required for participants:

• Friday, January 17, 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. – Program kick-off; data for business insights training (part 1)
• Friday, January 24, 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. – Program kick-off; data for business insights training (part 2)
• Friday, February 7, 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. – Mid-project check-in
• Friday, February 21, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 a.m. – Presentation preparation session
• Friday, February 28, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. – Final presentations
• Check-ins with project mentors – 30 minutes to be set at a mutually agreeable time
• Complete and submit individual and group components according to the project plan due dates

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply?

The program is open to current University of Oregon undergraduate and graduate students from any major who are looking to enhance their practical experience in leveraging data to inform business insights.

Do I need any technical skills or prior experience to participate?

No prior technical skills or experience is required to apply for this immersion. At the outset of the program, you will receive training on harnessing data for business insights and a thorough overview of the challenge to ensure you are well-prepared to tackle the project at hand.

Is there any cost to participate?

This immersion is completely free to students.

What qualities are you looking for in program participants?

We are looking for participants who have a strong motivation to enhance their data analytic skillset in an applied context. If you're curious, dependable, eager to learn, willing to embrace challenges, and ready to contribute to a team, this program is the perfect opportunity for you to grow professionally!

What is the time commitment and how challenging will this project be?

The program runs from weeks 2–8 of the term. In addition to the 8-hour training at the start of the program, you can expect to spend 6–8 hours each week working with your group to complete a sports analytics project using real data, reflecting the kind of work done by professionals in the field. You will analyze key metrics and trends, develop actionable insights, and provide strategic recommendations to a client. Along the way, students will receive ongoing support and mentorship from an experienced professional, guiding them through the process from data collection and analysis to delivering impactful business reporting and recommendations. While the project is designed to stimulate and stretch your abilities, we will be there to support you the whole way through. You will be part of a collaborative cohort and receive professional mentorship to ensure you have the knowledge and support needed to navigate these challenges successfully.

Will I receive academic credit for participating?

No. While this program aims to give you an opportunity to apply things you've learned in the classroom, participants are not eligible to receive academic credit for participating.

What can I expect to learn from the program?

This immersive experience will provide you with the opportunity to engage directly with the sports industry, applying technical data skills to solve practical problems while developing professional relationships and enhancing your analytical acumen. Upon completion, you will have developed the ability to:

• Analyze complex data and extract meaningful insights
• Apply data-driven decision-making to real-world business challenges
• Present actionable recommendations to a client, grounded in data analytics
• Work collaboratively under the guidance of a professional mentor

Questions?

Contact Trish Dorman at trishd@uoregon.edu.