Industry partners play a crucial role in ensuring the success of graduate students engaged in applied research. To foster meaningful collaboration, all members of the applied research partnership must understand their roles, responsibilities, and best practices for providing quality feedback.
If you are a graduate student working with an industry partner, share these guidelines with them to help communicate expectations and foster a successful collaboration.
Key responsibilities and best practices in applied research WIL
By actively engaging in co-creation, providing structured feedback, and maintaining open communication, industry partners contribute significantly to the quality and success of applied research WIL experiences. Implementing these best practices will help create meaningful, mutually beneficial collaborations that support student learning and professional growth.
Co-creation of research objectives
- Engage in collaborative discussions with students and faculty to define research goals.
- Align expectations and deliverables to ensure mutual benefits.
- Provide real-world context to help students apply their academic knowledge effectively.
- Define roles, responsibilities, and feedback expectations in a formal agreement or contract.
Provide structured and actionable feedback
- Offer timely and specific feedback on student work to help them refine their research and interpersonal skills.
- Use clear, constructive language that highlights strengths and areas for improvement.
- Balance positive reinforcement with specific, actionable suggestions for growth.
- Ensure feedback is tied to the research objectives.
- Schedule feedback sessions at key project milestones to ensure continuous improvement.
Support student development and communication
- Serve as mentors by offering insights into industry practices and professional expectations.
- Facilitate networking opportunities that may help students in their career development.
- Encourage students to ask questions and seek clarification on their work.
- Establish regular check-ins to discuss project progress and address concerns.
- Use accessible communication channels to stay engaged with students.
- Clarify any changes in project scope or expectations early to avoid misalignment.
Foster a supportive and inclusive environment
- Be approachable and create an open, two-way dialogue.
- Adapt feedback styles to accommodate diverse learning needs and communication preferences.
- Ensure feedback is respectful, growth-oriented, and encourages confidence.
Recognize student contributions
- Acknowledge students’ efforts and progress through verbal or written recognition.
- Where possible, involve students in final presentations, publications, or acknowledgments.
- Provide formal evaluations or references that students can use for future career opportunities.