HOPE Digital Project: Gain hands-on experience in business technology

Apply your problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to make a difference for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. With the Kelley HOPE Digital Project, you’ll work with faculty, MSIS alumni, and current students to learn business and technology skills and put them into practice for clients. Gain work-ready experience that prepares you to tackle real-world challenges. Students who make significant contributions and academic and professional gains from their internship will be eligible to apply for MSIS program scholarships.

David Thompson and Nicole Kearney of client Sip & Share Wines Photo provided by Sip & Share Wines

Interested in the Kelley HOPE Digital Project?

No prior experience or academic background is necessary to apply—we provide training as needed. We will match you with client projects where you can add value. Students with business and technical academic backgrounds will be considered for project leader roles.

Apply to be a volunteer intern

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The Kelley HOPE Digital Project partners with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Indiana Small Business Development Centers (ISBDC) to make a positive impact spanning all regions of Indiana.

Immersive consulting experience with small business

Make meaningful impact as you develop strategies for small businesses to thrive through change. You’ll have opportunities to connect with alumni and faculty as you discover how business technology can make a difference. It’s a resume-builder that equips you to:

Advise small businesses in digital solutions
Apply classroom learning to real-world challenges
Improve your competitive edge with skills in demand
Manage high-impact projects within a team setting
Prioritize positive impact in your career trajectory
Unlock career opportunities in business technology

Mission

The Kelley HOPE Digital Project aims to deliver the digital capabilities and technology training that small businesses need in order to compete in the post-COVID lockdown environment through empowering current and prospective students of the MSIS program at the Kelley School of Business.

Project Hope By the Numbers

230+

MSIS alumni, current students, and undergraduate participants

450+

small businesses served

46K

hours volunteered

Indiana counties served

61%

ISBDC projects for women-owned businesses

23%

ISBDC projects for minority-led businesses

Building momentum for small business

The Kelley HOPE Digital Project addresses the mission-critical needs of small business. For clients navigating a rapidly changing landscape, teams of students, faculty, and alumni support them through:

Automated business processes
Cybersecurity
Digital marketing
Digital payments
Digital storefronts
Video streaming capabilities
Website user experience

Scholarships for current or prospective MSIS students

Current and incoming MS in Information Systems students who make significant contributions to the Kelley HOPE Digital Project are eligible to apply for an MS in Information Systems scholarship award. Students applying to the MS in Information Systems program are also eligible for scholarship, subject to their admission to the program.