Applied Projects
Apply Your MQE Training Before You Graduate
As an MQE student, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your data analytics and economic research skills to help corporate partners solve business challenges. Under the guidance of a project coach and industry professionals, MQE students work in small teams to conduct research and analysis regarding a specific business problem and then present recommendations to company executives.
Applied projects give you the chance to put your classroom knowledge to work on real business challenges. You’ll collaborate with a team, engage with industry professionals, and apply tools like data analysis, forecasting, and research in a practical setting.
- Build hands-on experience with real organizations
- Strengthen your resume with project-based work
- Develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Explore potential career paths and industry interests
- Make connections with professionals in your field
Applied projects have covered a range of industries, including automotive, finance, clean energy, consumer packaged goods, and technology.
Inside an MQE Applied Project
Curious what an applied project looks like in action? Check out this presentation where MQE students teamed up with Sustento Group to tackle a real-world challenge in clean energy. Using data analysis and market research, the team developed insights to support the company’s mission and growth.
Collaborate with MQE: Real Business Solutions for Your Organization
Our Diverse, Global Student Body Brings Data-Driven Thinking and Fresh Insights to Your Team
Partner with UCLA’s Master of Quantitative Economics (MQE) students on short-term applied research or business projects that address your organization’s unique needs. Under the guidance of a project coach, student teams can support:
- Data analysis & visualization
- Competitive & market research
- Risk assessment
- Forecasting & modeling
- Strategic insights based on your business question
Open to organizations of all sizes and sectors. No cost to participate.
How it Works
Intro Call
Discuss your organization’s challenge and explore fit
Project Scope
Define scope, data needs, and deliverables
Engagement
Student team works on project & present deliverables at the end of the term
Checkpoints
Meet at project kickoff, midpoint, and final presentation
What We Ask from You
To support a successful experience, we ask partners to:
- Share a clear business challenge or applied research question
- Offer insights and expertise on the business problem or applied project
- Provide relevant data or resources that will aid in analysis
- Offer guidance, coaching and respond to student questions
- Meet with students at key milestones
Success Stories: From Project to Hire
Examples of past projects include sales optimization analysis for a cybersecurity company, wealth mapping data visualization for an investment management firm, and website conversion analysis for a digital marketing agency. Through this exciting program, many of our corporate partners have hired MQE students following their applied projects—either to implement the recommendations developed during the project or to continue and expand on the work beyond the project timeline. These outcomes reflect the quality of our students’ work and the real-world value they bring to organizations. The continued collaboration between partners and students highlights the long-term impact and success of these hands-on experiences.
You can hear directly from past partners on our Employers page.