From Projects to Practice: The Value of Working in Teams
Group work plays a critical role in developing both academic and professional skills. At the Providence College School of Business, the curriculum focuses on collaborative projects and team-centered skills to prepare students to excel in every environment. Classrooms are structured in ways that give students the opportunity to work as teams, learning how to communicate effectively, problem solve, and understand various viewpoints, all practices that are essential in today’s workplace.
Real-world relationship building
Kevin Newman, chair of the marketing department for the School of Business, prioritizes the use of group work in his classroom environment. “Group work is essential not just for academic growth, but for developing life-long skills that shape how we engage with the world. In my courses, I emphasize collaboration because it mirrors the realities of most professional and creative environments where innovation thrives not in isolation, but in the dynamic exchange of diverse perspectives.”
The emphasis on group work is appreciated by the students who understand the value derived from collaborating with peers. Kellen Donovan ‘27 referenced his principles of marketing class, noting, “We meet at least twice a week as a group for a semester-long project that involves heavy hours and hard work. This is the first time in my academic career that I have experienced what it is like working with a team. This dynamic has proven to be very valuable, as I anticipate my professional life involving heavy teamwork, conflict resolution, and effective delegation.”
Working in groups in business
Collaboration, likewise, fosters a sense of community within the classroom. By working as a team, students are able to learn from one another’s strengths and weaknesses, while gaining the confidence to share their unique perspectives and provide feedback on the thought processes of their peers. Jayson Onanian ‘25 ‘26G commented on the group work within his tax class with Dr. Camp, saying, “It allowed me to understand my classmates’ approach to solving complex problems, helping me learn and adopt different perspectives.” This aligns with the goal of Julia Camp, associate professor of accountancy, to encourage students to work together during class so that they can teach one another and develop a better understanding of the topic, appreciating viewpoints they may not have previously considered. “In business, we don’t work in a vacuum – we constantly work with teams, clients, peers, suppliers, contractors, etc. By getting exposure to working together within a class, it can make a student feel more comfortable when they experience the same environment outside of the classroom.”
Working in groups also teaches students to be accountable and adaptable. Each student is responsible for contributing to the greater objectives of the group and must be able to pivot based on the various working styles of their partners. This encourages students to take responsibility and better acknowledge how seemingly individual work is consistently contributing to their team’s success. Newman continues, “There is no such thing as true individual accomplishment; behind every success is a team of contributors, mentors, and peers. Group work helps students internalize that truth and hopefully prepares them to lead with humility, empathy, and openness when they enter the business world.”
Working collectively in the classroom imitates the realities of real-world environments in which success depends on the ability to collaborate across all levels of a business. By developing these skills in the classroom, Providence College Business students gain a foundation that will serve them well in any professional setting. With the support and understanding of their professors, students face limitless opportunities to grow and develop in preparation for their futures.
