Experiential Learning, Business Problem-Solving
Pennsylvania Robotics & Technology Fellowships
A Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business initiative supported by federal grant funding.
The Pennsylvania Robotics & Technology Fellowship (PA-RTF) aims to support small and medium-sized manufacturers in the Pittsburgh region and provide experiential learning opportunities for University of Pittsburgh graduate students. Working in small teams, students will connect with company representatives to address an immediate challenge or opportunity.
Win-Win Opportunity
Students: this short, intense project-based experience will help you develop and enhance your problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills in a working business.
Companies: gain actionable recommendations and deliverables specific to their current business needs while introducing them to potential hires.
Program Structure
- 6-8 week consulting projects in many functional areas including strategy, general business, and technological implementation
- Virtual, with possible onsite visits
- $2,000 stipend (before taxes)
- Opportunities available in January, March, May, August, and October
- Click here to watch a previous information session with slides
Eligibility & Application Process
- Graduate student from Katz, Swanson School of Engineering, School of Computing & Information, or School of Law
- Be in good academic standing
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To apply, fill out this form.
“With the help of students from Katz and other Pitt schools, this project will support factory modernization, bring the research and development resources of Greater Pittsburgh’s anchor institutions to these companies, expand manufacturing supply chains, and fill the region’s idled brownfields with thriving enterprises.”
“The Robotics & Technology Fellowships provide tremendous opportunities for us to incorporate classroom learning into meaningful work. Our students will help small manufacturers adopt the newest robotics and autonomous technologies to operate more efficiently and better compete.”
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
It was a great learning experience to work with a small company and understand the unique challenges associated with its operations. This experience has opened my eyes to a new industry I was unfamiliar with. It was a fast-paced project so handling client requirements while time is ticking was exciting and it helped me better manage priorities and multitask.
This program allowed me to gain practical experience that I wouldn’t have been able to obtain through classroom learning. The decisions I made during the program had real-time impacts on the business value, allowing me to see the results of my choices in action. This helped me gain a deeper understanding of how my decisions can impact a business’s overall success. The program also gave me the chance to learn about external factors that can impact a business.