Become an industry expert — research 3 target companies and create professional intelligence reports. Master the research skills that give you a competitive edge in interviews and career fairs.
Elective
Industry Research Deep Dive (Optional)
Master Industry Intelligence & Company Research
Time: 8-10 hours
Verification: Reports uploaded + coach presentation
About
Go beyond surface-level research and become a true industry intelligence expert. Research 3 target companies in depth — analyze their business model, culture, competitors, recent news, and hiring trends. Create professional 2-page intelligence reports for each and present your findings to your Success Coach. This skill set gives you a massive competitive edge in interviews, career fairs, and networking conversations.
Badges Earned
Career Critical Thinker
Digital Literacy Expert
Your Research Framework
Mission, values, business model, revenue, key products/services, organizational structure
Top competitors, market trends, recent news, growth trajectory, industry challenges
Culture, hiring trends, entry-level roles, skills they value, Glassdoor/LinkedIn insights
Illinois Tech Library Research Tools (Free Access)
IBISWorld Industry Reports
S&P Capital IQ
Statista
Bloomberg Terminal (Galvin Library)
Pro Tip: Choose companies you’d actually want to work for! Your intelligence reports become career fair cheat sheets — you’ll be the most prepared candidate in every conversation. Interviewers notice when you’ve done real research.
