OS News

Are you looking for a part-time job in Ann Arbor this summer? Would you like to get a taste of research with an OS professor? Are you looking for a distinctive academic activity for a grad school application or resume?

Organizational Studies Associate Professor Jason Owen-Smith ( http://www.umich.edu/~jdos) is looking for undergraduate research assistants to help with a project on the emergence and ramifications of the United States Knowledge Economy (USKE). The USKE project is designed to explain the financial (stock market), technological, and organizational performance of high-technology companies and industries (e.g. infotech/software & biotechnology) in the U.S. Students who are interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, finance, or consulting, as well as those who intend to go on to graduate work in business, law, or the social sciences will gain valuable experience doing work on cutting edge organizational topics.

Currently, two OS juniors (Erica Jankelovitz ( ericajan@umich.edu) and David Weisman ( dweisman@umich.edu ) are working with Professor Owen-Smith on this project. Feel free to contact them to learn about the “student’s eye” view of the project.

Students working on the USKE project will be part of a research team comprised of graduate students from Sociology and the Ross School, and undergraduates drawn from Organizational Studies, Sociology, and the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). We’re a fun group and (in keeping with OS tradition) there will be several chances to get together for food and research discussion. This is a great opportunity to test the waters of organizational research, to start working on ideas for an honors thesis, to add distinctiveness to your resume, or just to put all that OS coursework to an interesting use. Both juniors and seniors are encouraged to apply. For those who are interested it may be possible to continue work for credit or pay during fall semester.

Duties will include data collection and coding, case study research or projects to be developed with Jason. Approximately half to 2/3 of your time will be spent on assigned research tasks with the remainder focused on project you will help define. After training you will be expected to work on your own schedule. Summer work for the USKE project is a very flexible way to become involved with growing research team.

To learn more or to arrange a meeting with Jason please e-mail ( jdos@umich.edu). Your note should include a resume and an indication of when you are in town over the summer and how many hours you might be interested in working. Please put the phrase “USKE Summer” in the subject header. Jason will be conducting interviews with interested students from OS, Sociology, and UROP during the last week of April. If you are interested please submit your application no later than FRIDAY, APRIL 24th at 9am.