The IMSF Impact Stream offers a two-semester, three credit Fellowship that has two synergistic components:
- An impact initiative, whereby Fellows work together in small groups to design and implement a real-world sustainability project.
- A leadership development course that supports the previous component (BUSA 432 D1,D2).
Impact Initiative
- Impact initiatives entail working in small groups to
a) research a challenge of Fellows' choosing,
b) design a solution to this challenge, and
c) attempt to implement the solution within the boundaries of the program's assigned hours. - Throughout Fellows' impact initiatives, they will identify, reflect on and improve specific managerial competencies to support their future aspirations.
IMSF Course
The IMSF leadership development course provides a foundational toolkit for creating impact regardless of career aspirations while challenging Fellows to reflect on their professional identity, personal goals and managerial capacities.
FAQ
How do I join the Integrated Management Student Fellowship?
Students must first apply and be accepted to the IMSF in order to participate in the IMSF. Students can either apply to the IMSF Research & Impact Stream or to the IMSF Impact Stream or to both. Once accepted in the Fellowship, students will be registered in BUSA 451D1/D2 (Research & Impact Stream) or BUSA 432D1/D2 (Impact Stream) by the BCom office. Applications for the IMSF generally open end February with a list of available faculty projects. Students must apply by mid-March for an opportunity to join the IMSF in September. The application for the Fellowship will be available through the IMSF webpage once applications open in February.
Can undergraduate students in any year of study apply to take part in the IMSF?
The IMSF is open to undergraduate students from U1(returning) to U4. The Fellowship is open to all Desautels Majors/Concentrations as well as other Faculties. Students can apply as early as their first year of studies.
What is the time commitment for this Fellowship?
The workload of the IMSF Research & Impact Stream is designed to be equivalent to a typical 3-credit BCom course each semester (6 -credits total over the entire academic year). The workload of the IMSF Impact Stream is designed to be equivalent to a 1.5 -credit BCom course each semester (3 credits total over the entire academic year).
As a Fellow within the Research & Impact Stream, each semester you will be expected to devote approx. 60 hours to your faculty research project and approx. 60 hours to the impact initiative and course combined (which will include class time, readings, course assignments and your group鈥檚 impact initiative). In total, you will spend approx. 120 hours in the fall semester and approx. 120 hours in the winter semester, which is the expected workload of a typical 6-credit course.
As a Fellow within the Impact Stream, you will be responsible to fulfill the workload associated with the impact initiative and specific classes within the course that relate to leadership development and the progress of your initiative. You will not be assigned to work on a faculty research project.
Note: There are no midterms or finals. The course is not pass/fail. You will receive a grade at the end of the academic year.
What are some examples of impact initiatives?
The impact initiatives you and your group work on can vary considerably. Here are some examples of the shape they could take.
- Social entrepreneurship
- Awareness campaigns
- Websites/applications/tech solutions
- Fundraising
- Models for conservation
- Educational programs
- Citizen participation workshops
- e-marketplace
- Training programs
- Knowledge mobilization
- Blockchain models in disaster scenarios
- Simulation designs
- Public policy
- Mass mobilization and civic engagement
- Demographic empowerment & advocacy
Learn more about our prior year impact initiatives.
Why are the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the overarching framework for this Fellowship?
The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a 鈥渂lueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.鈥� The SDGs, set in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and intended to be achieved by the year 2030, is part of UN Resolution 70/1, the 2030 Agenda.
The 17 goals extend across national boundaries and have applications across sectors, industries, and disciplines.听Whether your desired impact as a manager relates to economic development, innovation, social progress, governance or sustainable development, the SDG framework is relevant.
Learn more about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) .
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Who is eligible to participate in the Fellowship?
In order to participate in the Fellowship you must
- be able to participate over two consecutive semesters - Fall & Winter (i.e. you must not be participating in an exchange)
- have 6 credits available in your degree to allocate to the IMSF if you would like to participate in the Research & Impact Stream and 3 credits to allocate to the IMSF if you would like to participate in the Impact Stream
- apply and be accepted into the Fellowship. Students can apply as early as their first year of studies.
