Webinar: Learn More about Social Impact Lab Courses

Interested in hands-on social impact learning opportunities?

In order to help students pick which lab course is right for them, the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation is inviting students to tune into a webinar on Tuesday, October 9, from noon to 1 p.m. The webinar will be recorded, with the link posted on the Rustandy Center website and on the course pages for the respective classes.

With its focus on teaching the fundamentals, Booth’s multidisciplinary approach to business education and practice is just as right for social sector leaders as it is for business leaders. The social impact curriculum at Booth complements the school’s foundational teachings in finance, economics, and operations with real-world experiences.

Caroline Grossman, '03, director of programs at the Rustandy Center and adjunct assistant professor of strategy at Booth, will lead the webinar, which is required for all students who want to apply for the Global Social Impact Practicum (GSIP). Students can watch live or after the fact.

BOOTH’S SOCIAL IMPACT LABS OFFERED IN WINTER QUARTER:

• Social Enterprise Discovery (NEW) (BUS 34116 - password protected) The objectives of this experience-based course are to identify opportunities for innovative social ventures, then validate and refine the product/service, identify target customers, and propose a business model and go-to-market strategy. The expectation is that many of the venture ideas will proceed to the Social New Venture Challenge in the Spring Quarter.

• Global Social Impact Practicum (BUS 34721 - password protected): Through this experiential learning opportunity, students will travel to India and address a critical social issue by conducting a market assessment and developing go-to-market strategies for potentially potentially game-changing technological innovations. This course is supported by Tata Trusts and implemented by the Tata Centre for Development (TCD) at UChicago.

• Social Enterprise Lab (BUS 34110 - password protected): Students will learn about key ways in which operating in a social venture context is different by working with nonprofits and for-profits that have a social mission and making strategic recommendations in order to leverage greater growth.

• Scaling Social Innovation Search Lab (BUS 34722 - password protected): In this course, students will confront one of the major issues that social sector institutions face in advancing their impact: reaching scale. In groups, students will look at a specific social sector issue, assess what makes social innovations effective, and make recommendations for how they can be scaled to other markets and contexts.

OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS

While most applications for social impact lab courses don’t open until later this fall, students can begin applying to participate in GSIP as soon as October 9. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, October 16. Stay tuned for application information.

More information about Booth’s social impact courses can be found on the Rustandy Center website.

If you have any questions, please contact Erica Phillips at Erica.Phillips@ChicagoBooth.edu.