Why Should I do Applied Learning Projects (ALPS)?

Receive Internship Credit
Gain Experience For Your Resume
Make Valuable Connections
Gain Real World Experience
Develop Practical Business Skills
Take a Step Toward Grad School

Learn how to register now for ALPS | Basic (8 to 10 hours/week commitment)!

Apply now for ALPS | Advanced opportunities (20 to 30+ hours/week commitment)!

Introduction

Applied Learning Projects (ALPS) is a program offered by the Research Business Development Center (RBDC) to help students grow professionally by providing opportunities for them to convert knowledge gained in the classroom into actual skills they can report on their resumes.

The RBDC connects students to companies and organizations for which they can perform value-added research projects. BYU-Idaho students can be on campus in Rexburg or across the globe online when they participate in ALPS.

Hear From Our Past Students

Student Project Opportunities

College Student

ALPS | Basic

Research Associate

8-10 hours per week
Possible Internship/Course Credit
No Experience Required
Open Enrollment
Non-paid
Rexburg or Online

ALPS | Advanced

Research Specialist/Junior Analyst

20-30 hours per week
Possible Internship/Course Credit
Interview for position
Preferred Previous Experience
Possible Stipend
Rexburg or Online

The Benefits of ALPS

There are many benefits to ALPS projects that enable advanced learning while working to achieve higher education

All ALPS interns will have the opportunity to perform in-depth primary and secondary research. In addition, they will work directly with the client(s) of their respective project(s), handling all client communication and hosting client meetings.

Meet Academic Credit Requirements

Depending on your Major, Basic and Advanced Projects could count towards academic credit, and internship credit.

Improve Your Resume

While a degree is an incredibly important part of your resume, employers like to see real work experience with real businesses. That is exactly what ALPS projects provide. You work with real clients, an get real experience.

A Step Toward Grad School

Getting into grad schools can be difficult. It is very helpful to have real work experience to show for it. Having a better feel for what you are good at will help you make the grad school decision.

Valuable Connections

ALPS Basic and Advanced projects allow you to work closely with clients, faculty, experienced mentors, and teams of students, where you learn, brainstorm, and problem solve. The connections you make could lead to valuable networking opportunities, and potentially open doors to future careers.

Practical Business Skills

Business skills are important to have no matter what career field you choose.

All interns will gain skills in the following areas:

Secondary Research
Interviewing
Professional Communication
Developing Professional Documents and Reports
Team participation/leadership
Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Presentations Skills
Much more!

Hands-on Experience

Since you are working with real, paying clients, your experience is completely hands-on. You have the opportunity to problem solve using your skills and knowledge, brainstorm through trial and error with teams, and to learn as you go, just like you would in the real world, because that’s what this opportunity is – real world experience!

Chalk drawing of a businessman climbing a staircase

Companies Hire Our Students

Girl in an interview

ALPS projects are an excellent opportunity to apply classroom knowledge and gain professional experience for your resume. Many employers look for 3-5 experiences on a newly graduated student’s resume that are professional in nature. Working in food services on-campus is not a stand-out resume. Past ALPS students have worked for Fortune 500 companies as well as small to medium enterprises after graduating from BYU-Idaho.

Graduate Schools Have Accepted Our Students

ALPS projects are an excellent opportunity to enhance your grad school application. Many grad schools are looking for applicants with professional level experience. Stand out in the pool of applicants as a polished student who has worked with clients in a professional setting. Many of our ALPS-Advanced projects also involve some element of research. This research experience can be a critical factor in applying successfully to Masters and Ph.D. programs. ALPS students have been accepted to after graduate schools ranging from ivy league to highly acclaimed public universities after graduating from BYU-Idaho.

Learn all about ALPS | Basic here, including how it works and how it will benefit you as a student.

Learn about ALPS | Advanced here, including how it works and how it benefits you as a student.

ALPS | Advanced

Applied Learning Projects (ALPS) Is Powered by the Research and Business Development Center