General Program Information
What is the WGU + Riipen Data Analytics experience?
This is a hands-on opportunity for WGU School of Technology learners to apply their data analytics skills to real-world business problems through short-term, employer-led projects on the Riipen platform.
Projects are designed to help you:
Apply your technical skills in a professional setting
Build portfolio-ready work
Gain experience working with real data and business challenges
Is this required for my degree?
No. This is an optional, co-curricular experience. It is not for academic credit, but it is designed to strengthen your skills, résumé, and career readiness.
Who is eligible to participate?
To participate, you must:
Be an active WGU Data Analytics Bachelor’s student
Have completed 92 or more competency units (CUs)
Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (completion of 66.67% of competency units attempted)
This ensures you have the foundational skills needed to succeed in a project-based environment.
Can I participate if I’m close to graduating?
Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements at the start of the project.
Project Experience
How are projects assigned?
You will be assigned to a project by the program team. There is no application or self-selection process.
Once assigned:
Your project will appear on your Riipen dashboard
You will gain access to project details and employer information
You can begin communication and work from there
Will I work alone or with a team?
You may be assigned to a project alongside up to 4 other learners (5 total per project), but:
You are responsible for your own work, milestones, and deliverables
Collaboration with other learners is optional
Each learner must submit their own work individually
This ensures you build your own portfolio while still having the option to connect with peers.
What kind of work will I be doing?
Projects focus on applied data analytics tasks such as:
Data cleaning and preparation
Exploratory data analysis
Investigating business questions and generating insights
Basic reporting or visualization (where applicable)
Introductory predictive analysis (in some cases)
Projects are scoped to be achievable while still delivering meaningful outcomes for employers.
What will I deliver at the end of the project?
Deliverables vary by project but may include:
Cleaned and structured datasets
Analysis summaries and insights
Business-focused reports and recommendations
Visualizations or dashboards (if applicable)
Documentation of your process and findings
You will also submit a summary of your approach and key insights.
Time Commitment & Expectations
How much time will the project take?
40–60 hours total
Completed over ~6–8 weeks
This typically means planning for a few hours per week, depending on your schedule.
Do I need to attend meetings?
Yes, you are expected to participate in key project touchpoints:
Project kickoff (Week 1)
Early progress check-in
Midpoint check-in
Final submission
Additional communication with your employer may happen as needed.
How much support will I receive from the employer?
Employers will:
Provide project context and goals
Be available for questions and feedback
Offer input at key stages
However, this is a self-directed experience. You are expected to take ownership of your work and manage your progress independently.
What does “active participation” mean?
Active participation includes:
Logging into Riipen regularly
Communicating with your employer
Making steady progress on your work
Meeting milestone deadlines
Lack of communication or inactivity early in the project may result in removal.
Completion & Outcomes
What do I need to do to complete the project?
To successfully complete the experience, you must:
Start your project on time
Complete all required milestones
Submit final deliverables
Log your hours
Complete required surveys
What happens if I don’t complete the project?
If you miss required steps or milestones (by more than 5 days), your project may be marked Incomplete.
If this happens:
You will not receive a certificate or badge
You may not be able to continue the project
It may affect eligibility for future opportunities
Will I receive feedback?
Yes. Employers may provide feedback on:
Your technical work
Communication and professionalism
Overall contribution
This feedback can help you improve and showcase your skills.
Will I be paid?
No. This is an unpaid experiential learning opportunity designed to help you gain real-world experience and build your portfolio.
Logistics & Policies
Can I switch projects after being assigned?
No. Once assigned, project switching is not permitted.
Can I participate in more than one project?
You may only participate in one project at a time during this experience.
What if I’m unavailable during the project?
If you know you cannot commit to the full timeline, it’s best to wait for a future opportunity. Projects require consistent progress and communication.
Support
Who can I contact if I need help?
If you need assistance:
Use the support option on the Riipen platform
Or email: wgu@riipen.com