Beyond the Textbook Real-world Human Capital Consulting experience

When you’re at the Mitch Daniels School of Business, you quickly realize that what really sets it apart isn’t just its reputation — it’s how many ways you can turn theory into impact. The Daniels School of Business provides the reputation and resources, but it’s the hands-on experience that really allows you to grow and make the most of your time here.

One of the best examples of that is the Human Capital Consulting course in the Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) program. This isn't just another class on your schedule; it’s an invitation to step directly into real client projects, navigate high-stakes challenges and see your work make a measurable impact.

This year, a team comprising Victoria Garden, Malomee Manishkumar Patel, Jack Weisgerber and Yun-Tsao Tang worked with Syngenta, a global leader in agriculture. The team created a strategic solution to address the important challenge of facilitating new hire relocations, aiming to enhance talent retention and engagement.

"It actually felt like what we were creating was going to get used and was going to make a difference to some company out there in the real world," reflects Garden.

Working with real companies gives students the chance to put their strategies into action, gain practical insight into complex business challenges and build the confidence to tackle real human resource issues head-on.

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Building resume-ready HR experience

For those looking to advance their career, this consulting experience acts as a powerful differentiator in the job market. It encourages students to move beyond day-to-day management and step into roles where they can really shape how a business succeeds. As Tang notes, "Working on this project deepened my understanding of the HR consultant role, particularly in aligning data, stakeholder needs and feasible implementation strategies." 

Mastering Human Resources Management Skills Through Practical Application

In the Human Capital Consulting project, teams work closely with a company to address a specific challenge. By conducting thorough research and applying classroom concepts, you refine essential human resources management skills to develop solutions that are ready for immediate use.

For Garden and her team, the focus was on solving the logistical and emotional hurdles of Syngenta’s early talent relocation experience. By synthesizing focus group insights into actionable plans, they delivered City Relocation Guides for 12 major sites, supported by focus group insights, and a relocation strategy playbook with recommendations to strengthen connection, belonging and engagement.

"Working on this consulting project helped bridge the educational gap of research and real-world experience,” reflects Weisgerber.

Human Capital Consulting offers the satisfaction of problem-solving, researching and applying new strategies and delivering value. As Garden adds, the project allowed the team to "apply course concepts to a legitimate, high-impact business problem, strengthening the core skills needed to succeed in the market."

From corporate boardrooms to national stages, the Daniels School of Business sets MSHRM students up for success, giving them multiple opportunities to prove their value.

Read about their recent victory: Winning with Purpose: Success in the HR Case Competition

Essential Human Resources Manager Skills for the Modern Workplace

Human resources manager skills extend beyond technical knowledge.  "You have to practice being professional, communicating correctly and making sure that as you're working through the project, you're keeping the end goal in mind," notes Garden.

Beyond the strategy, you also learn the human side of the job. "This project helped me understand how thoughtful planning, clear communication and empathy in HR can meaningfully impact people during important transitions, especially early in their careers," reflects Patel.  It’s a reminder that a successful HR strategy must look past the data and account for the actual people involved.

Specialized Human Resources Management Training for Career Advancers

If you’re looking to advance your career, the Human Capital Consulting project gives you the kind of specialized training you just can’t get from a textbook. It lets you take academic concepts and turn them into professional skills that actually matter when the stakes are real. Victoria Garden found that it taught her how to conduct research "in a way that is realistic but still meets the customer’s needs."

Bonus! This project also leaves you with a tangible portfolio of professional work. Having these concrete assets — like the strategic frameworks and relocation guides developed for Syngenta — provides fodder for resumes, cover letters and interview responses when you need to prove your ability to deliver results.

Building a Consultant’s Edge Through Stakeholder Management

Mastering stakeholder management is often one of those skills that really sets you apart in your career. The Human Capital Consulting project gives you a chance to work directly with company leadership, allowing you to practice navigating different priorities and managing expectations in a real business setting. Garden highlights the value of this exposure, noting that while "it's kind of scary to reach out to people who are above you in the corporate hierarchy, at the end of the day, everybody wants you to succeed because your success is the company's success." This shift is a turning point for career advancement because it reframes senior stakeholders as partners and helps you communicate with business leaders with clarity and confidence.

Next steps for prospective graduate students and career advancers

If you are looking to advance your career, the Master of Science in Human Resource Management (MSHRM) program at the Daniels School of Business offers the practical experience you need to stand out.

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