Enhancing education through service learning: a project overview

Abstract

PurposeThis paper intendsto provide a summary of a service learning project that was used as a form of work‐based learning to facilitate leadership training and education for undergraduate business students.Design/methodology/approachDetails regarding the service learning project are provided, including objectives and a general overview of the methodology. This specific project required undergraduate business students in a leadership course to function in simulated roles as consultants for a fictional consulting company charged with developing and delivering a leadership training seminar for practicing managers/employees of non‐profit organizations located near the university.FindingsBenefits or advantages to using this project are described. One of the most significant benefits associated with the project included the opportunity for students, as fictional employees, to become subject matter experts, while also becoming actively engaged or immersed in the content of leadership.Practical implicationsThis project provides evidence that service learning can be an effective method for “teaching” leadership skills and knowledge to undergraduate business students.Originality/valueThe service learning project summarized here provides a unique perspective on how this form of work based learning can be designed to foster the development of leadership knowledge and skills to undergraduate business students. Further, this project provides evidence of how this approach to learning can also benefit the community by enhancing the knowledge levels of employees in community organizations.