Montana State University's College of Business is seeking local and regional businesses that would be willing to offer MSU management students practical business experience during the spring semester. In return, students will provide research, issue analysis, operational advice or data for business plans.

During the three-month course, students will help manage special consulting projects requested by area businesses. They will provide a wide range of duties including helping businesses meet pre-set management and marketing goals, developing business or marketing plans, identifying business improvement opportunities, providing possible solutions to specific problem areas, or working with either a portion or the entire business. Areas of focus include the market, competition, organization, operations and financials. All types of businesses and service organizations are encouraged to be part of the class.

The students will be enrolled in "Management 475 Management Practicum," taught and managed by Robert Means, College of Business faculty member. The senior-level class has been a successful MSU program for more than 13 years. Each semester, a variety of businesses and non-profit organizations work with the students. This fall the students helped more than 20 businesses and organizations around the state.

For more information, or an application to participate in Management 475, contact Means at 994-2083, or e-mail him at bmeans@montana.edu