From Classroom to Consulting: M.S. in MIT Students Deliver Real Impact in Argentina

Classroom learning is essential, but applying those skills in real-world business situations is transformational. 

Case in point: Since 2013, students from UVA McIntire’s M.S. in the Management of Information Technology (MSMIT) Program have had the opportunity to participate in a signature global consulting experience in Mendoza, Argentina. 

For one intensive week during Argentinian summer, working professional students leave their usual classroom setting in the Northern Virginia area to work directly with local companies in the foothills of the Andes. Mendoza, known for its stunning scenery and world-class wine, provides students with a fully immersive business practice. Students partner with locally based Argentinian executives to tackle real organizational challenges, analyze technology systems, and develop actionable recommendations that can be implemented immediately. 

Working across industries, students engage with CEOs, CFOs, IT leaders, and end users, gaining hands-on experience in digital transformation, business case development, and intercultural project management. The week culminates in a formal presentation and in-depth report delivered directly to the client’s leadership team. 

For many of the professional grad students who choose to accept the challenge, it’s one of the most impactful and memorable components of the one-year program. 

Trey Huelskamp (M.S. in MIT ‘26), Director at Xcelerate Solutions, reflected on his team’s time working with Maddio, a family-owned company that manufactures and imports construction and fencing-related products. 

“The Mendoza trip was unbelievable,” recalls Huelskamp. “It was eye-opening to work directly with the CEO, CFO, and their executive leadership team, helping them on their journey to scale the company nationally. The week was capped with a final presentation of our core recommendations. We presented several recommendations and findings, and provided actionable steps they could take immediately to help the business.” 

Huelskamp and his team began their work by examining how Maddio could better utilize their ERP (enterprise resource planning) system. But their MSMIT coursework had already prepared them to identify other areas that could be streamlined and implemented as soon as the following Monday. 

“We were able to apply a lot of what we learned in Mod 1, including enterprise relational database concepts, as well as how to formulate and build a business case,” Huelskamp says. “We focused on how the technical components tie to the financials, how the financials tie to ROI, and ultimately how all of that drives value for the company.” 

Of course, the visit offered much more to Huelskamp and his classmates beyond the consulting project with Maddio. “Mendoza itself was fantastic outside of the work, too. We got to embrace the culture, take wine tours, and go on tours of the city. It was a really fun and exciting time.” 

The consulting project in Mendoza captures what makes the MSMIT distinctive: upskilling with rigorous coursework, applying that knowledge in real time, and strengthening meaningful global engagement and communication abilities, all while creating immediate value for real organizations.  

For students like Huelskamp, the Argentina experience represents much more than just a trip. It’s a chance to step into the role of a consultant, test their skills on an international stage, and return with the confidence that they’re capable of driving technology-enabled business transformation anywhere in the world.