Students interested in offering their expertise to help non-profit organizations better get their resumes together quickly.

Applications are almost due for The Oklahoma Group, a new student-run organization that provides pro bono consulting services to non-profit agencies.

“By benefitting students and non-profits, we are benefitting the entire community,” said Stephanie Heck, Center for Social Justice program coordinator, who provides administrative support to The Oklahoma Group.

Their mission is “to promote social responsibility, professionalism, and consulting experience within the University of Oklahoma student body, and to empower non-profits with the knowledge and tools to maximize their social impact in the community,” according to the group’s website.

The idea was inspired by Dana Mohammad-Zadeh, international studies and economics junior, who will lead the group this spring with five other students.

Mohammad-Zadeh got the idea from her friends in The Berkeley Group at the University of California, Berkeley.

“I just thought it would be good to have that sort of engagement on OU’s campus,” Mohammad-Zadeh said.

Today, The Berkeley Group works with six non-profit organizations a semester, with more than 180 students applying to be consultants every semester, Mohammad-Zadeh said.

She was surprised to learn that OU did not have a similar organization and kept an eye out for students around campus who would be willing to help start one.

Samuel Scharff, zoology and biomedical sciences senior, decided to join The Oklahoma Group after Mohammad-Zadeh approached him about it, because he saw this as an opportunity to make a difference.

Both graduate and undergraduate students from all majors are encouraged to apply for this internship, which is for students who are motivated and desire real-world consulting experience, Mohammad-Zadeh said.

The Oklahoma Group wants to form one to three teams for the spring semester. Students should expect to dedicate seven to 15 hours per week to the group.

Student applications are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 30 and can be found online at theoklahomagroup.org.

Non-profits seeking The Oklahoma Group’s consulting services should submit applications by 5 p.m. Nov. 19. These applications also are available at theoklahomagroup.org.