FCB Planning & Research Intern

Position Summary

The College of Fine Arts, in collaboration with other colleges, is creating an internal advertising, marketing, and design agency called B-Hive. The Foster College is seeking two motivated students to help develop a comprehensive business plan for B-Hive. This position offers hands-on experience in business strategy, market research, survey design, organizational planning, and project implementation.

The selected student will work closely with the Department of Art and Design to evaluate the agency's current operating model, identify growth and efficiency opportunities, analyze competitive alternatives, and develop recommendations for a sustainable, scalable business strategy.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Plan Development

Assist in researching, developing, and documenting a comprehensive business plan for B-Hive. Gather and analyze information regarding agency services, customer needs, operational processes, and organizational objectives. Benchmark best practices from internal university agencies and comparable higher education creative service organizations.

1. Student & Stakeholder Research

Design, distribute, and analyze a student survey to assess awareness, perceptions, and demand for B-Hive services. Conduct interviews and information-gathering sessions with key university stakeholders. Summarize findings and develop actionable recommendations.

1. Competitive Landscape Analysis

Research competing service models, including:

• University-based creative service organizations

• External advertising agencies

• Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) relevant to B-Hive.

1. Operational Assessment

Evaluate current workflows, service intake processes, staffing models, project management practices, and resource allocation. Identify operational challenges, risks, and opportunities for process improvement. Recommend solutions to improve efficiency, service quality, and scalability.

1. Implementation Planning

Develop an implementation roadmap for recommended changes. Create project timelines, milestones, deliverables, and success metrics. Assist in preparing executive-level presentations and reports summarizing findings and recommendations.

Desired Qualifications

• Current undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in the Foster College of Business
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and survey tools such as Microsoft Forms or Qualtrics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Have completed 50+ hours of course credit.
• Experience with survey design and data analysis.
• Familiarity with business planning or strategic planning methodologies.
• Coursework in marketing research, entrepreneurship, project management, or organizational behavior.

Learning Outcomes

The selected student will gain practical experience in:

• Strategic business planning

• Market and competitive analysis

• Survey development and research methods

• Operational process improvement

• Project management and implementation planning

• Executive communication and presentation development

Pay: $15 / hour for a maximum of 10 hours per week.  Project expected to finish by the end of the Fall 2026 semester.

Thank you for your interest in employment at Bradley University. Some undergraduate students (with limited family resources as determined by the results of the FAFSA) qualify for Work Study funds to help offset college costs. This is a federally funded opportunity to earn "spending money" through part-time, on-campus employment. Eligibility for work-study does not guarantee you will find a campus job. Contact Financial Services for more information or to see if you qualify at 309-677-3089 or [email protected]