What We Do
The Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab (BSEL) is a Center of Excellence at the USC Marshall School of Business that equips students, faculty and staff with the business skills and resources to develop market-based solutions to the wicked problems of the 21st century. Through education, community building, research and professional development, the Lab serves as the hub for social entrepreneurial efforts at the university.
The "Lab" (BSEL) provides opportunities for USC students, faculty, and other individuals to use business principles to solve world problems. Through education, programs, events, and career development, we inspire the next generation of enlightened business leaders and social entrepreneurs.
Cocurricular programs such as the BSEL Undergraduate Scholars Mentorship Program and MBA Society and Business Fellowship provide focused, cohort-based support for students committed to pursuing careers in social impact. The Lab also engages with the greater community through collaborations with social enterprises across the globe. The Jacobson Family Sustainable Impact Lecture Series, held monthly throughout the academic year, features successful social entrepreneurs and social impact professionals tackling various issues, including homelessness, food insecurity, sustainability and more.
Strategic Impact on multiple platforms
Student programs Through fellowships, mentoring and support for student organizations, the Brittingham Lab prepares the next generation of business leaders to tackle the world’s biggest challenges.
Coursework. Affiliated faculty of The Brittingham Lab teach undergraduate and graduate courses in social entrepreneurship, impact investing, human-centered design, marketing management and venture initiation. USC undergraduates have the option to minor in social entrepreneurship. Graduate students have the opportunity to receive a Masters degree via our Master of Science in Social Enterprise.
To equip students to play effective leadership roles in this expanding arena, we offer the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business. The certificate prepares students to shape solutions to social and environmental sustainability challenges, both from within and from outside the business sector.
Events. The Brittingham Lab hosts monthly luncheons and speaker events to teach students about best practices in social responsibility and social entrepreneurship. These events are often held in conjunction with other USC departments and student organizations.
Career development. The Brittingham Lab provides mentoring and career counseling for students who are serious about using their business degrees to change the world, including subsidies for students who intern at social enterprises in the greater LA area.