+ Who can be a consultant with WiSolve?

Any graduate student, postdoc, faculty or staff of the University of Wisconsin- Madison are welcome to join WiSolve and become consultants. We also offer periodic workshops that everyone from the community is encouraged to attend.

+ Do I need to have prior consulting experience?

No, you do not need prior consulting or business experience. As new members join the organization, we provide training and mentorship for the types of skills that the projects require,. Additionally, we regularly host workshops that help to bolster all members' skills. As members gain experience there is opportunity to graduate to Advisor and Project Manager positions.

+ What is the time commitment once I join WiSolve?

Members are encouraged to attend all monthly workshops (1-2 hours /workshop/ month). If you elect to participate in a project, you can expect to work ~5-10 hours/week on project work.

+ What is an example of the evolution of a WiSolve project?

A consulting project can take anywhere between 3-8 weeks. One person is designated the role of Project Manager, one person Expert Advisor, and 1-3 consultants.

+ What is the process of joining a WiSolve project?

You can find a link to the application here and more information about the application process here. You will be asked to fill out a brief survey and submit your resume. Someone will contact you shortly after to set up a meeting with one of our members to get your oriented to the group and find out how we can best work together. You are also welcome to attend one of our free, periodic workshops for more details).

+ What can I expect from WiSolve?

As a working consultant you can expect to gain real-world experience and see growth in transferable skills such as management and technology consulting, intellectual property, sales and marketing, reseach and development, and technology transfer. You will also get practice in practical skills such as time management, working in groups, and presenting to business leaders in the Madison area.

+ Will joining WiSolve affect my doctoral/post-doctoral work?

Our data, and data from similar organizations from around the country, show that the skills gained from working with WiSolve lead to a net improvement in efficiency of lab work. WiSolve always strives to structure projects with our members in mind. The WiSolve leadership works with our clients to scope our projects so they fit into our model as described above.

+ Should I join WiSolve only if I am interested in a consulting career?

Members learn many skills that are applicable across industries by being part of a team - not just for working on consulting projects. While you can find WiSolve alumni at the likes of McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, many members have gone on to work in startups and large companies across various sectors, including biotech, pharmaceutical development, government, government regulatory work, and venture capital.