Professional consulting services available from select group of doctoral students
For businesses looking for professional research and consulting services, they need look no farther than the basement of Life Science II.
That's where Applied Research Consultants, an organization of applied psychology doctoral students and faculty, does its work.
Depending on the clients' needs, the group is able to do paper- or Web-based surveys, provide performance evaluations, collect statistical data or analyze submitted data, do needs assessments, put together focus groups or set up in-depth interviews.
Past clients include Microsoft, Southern Illinois Healthcare and the City of Carbondale as well as University-based clients such as the School of Law and the chancellor's office.
"We help the client meet their goals and help them find answers to their questions," said Georgia Hughes, a third-year doctoral student in applied psychology who is a senior associate with ARC.
ARC serves as a training practicum for students in Psychology 569. Lynda M. Sagrestano, assistant professor of psychology, oversees 11 doctoral students as they undertake various projects.
The group currently has nine projects going this semester, with three under negotiation, Sagrestano said.
"Most clients come to us through word of mouth or from past experience," she said. "We don't have to sell ourselves, but we stay very busy."
Clients pay fees based on how many staff hours the project will take. That allows the group to be self-sufficient regarding funds. It purchases its own computers and employs a student worker as clerical staff. "To a certain extent, it is a community service and teaches students," Sagrestano said, "but we do charge for our services."
The money earned from projects covers the cost of attending the annual American Evaluation Association conference, where members present their research.
Funds also help support professional development, giving $300 to a student to attend another conference.
"The experience we get here is invaluable," Hughes said. "We'll have a degree and three or four years of experience where other graduates may just have a degree."
Sagrestano said, "Our students go out and get really great jobs. Some go into academia, but many go into private or public sector jobs." Alumni now work with the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Navy, Microsoft, Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages and NASA.
Gigi Awad, a third-year doctoral student, said she was impressed that students are able to leave here and have the skills to work at any one of those places.
Awad wants to go into academia but also wants to have the flexibility of being a consultant on the side. "I like being a part of a project that has a start and a finish. You get to see your work in action -- how important it is and that it's for a real client," she said.
The applied aspect of Applied Research Consultants is what appealed to Stephanie Swindler, a second-year doctoral student. "I want to work in business, and this gives me the experience to do that."
Word of mouth not only brings in new clients, it also brings in new students.
Hughes came to the University specifically because of ARC. She heard about the program from an alum.
"The best recruiting tool is for students to go out and encourage others to apply," Sagrestano said.
The organization focuses on community service, education and professional development. Members also have to maintain the business aspects of running the group, such as marketing and fiscal duties.
Sagrestano said, "I'm impressed with how well the students work together. They are very professional, and they make it so easy for me."
Visit ARC on the Web at http://www.arc.siu.edu/.
- Michelle Cunningham
March 6, 2002
This year marks the organization's 20th anniversary of providing professional consulting services to regional, national and international clients.
