Welcome to the Community Research Institute!
We're here to help prepare Gen Z for the workforce, and the workforce for Gen Z!
We are a partnership between the Charleston Southern University Hans A. Nielsen College of Business and The Good Doctors of Abbey Research.
The CRI was born at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic out of an immediate need to provide remote internships for graduating CSU seniors.
Over the last 2+ years, the CRI internship program has flourished - hiring almost 20 College of Business students so far!
Learn more about our work below!
CRI Internship Program
Our internship curriculum pairs real world marketing and research experience with necessary training in empathy and emotional intelligence.
Market Research Course
We've partnered with Professor Emory Hiott's Market Research Course to conduct current and relevant research about Gen Z students and workers!
Community Outreach
Through our ongoing research into generations, we've developed a highly popular training on how to work with different generations.
From an academic standpoint, I grew significantly in my writing and communications skills. From a personal standpoint, I made lifelong relationships with Drs. Donnelly & Hinson. They have helped mold me into the young professional that I am today and I am forever grateful for their mentorship.
adelaide lovelady - spring 2021 intern
Doing my internship with the CRI has been a great experience. Working in the social media position helped me explore my creativity, improve my communication skills, and guide younger people on things I did not know when I started college. I have also been able to work on my emotional intelligence, which has helped me be more empathetic with others.
Dayana chara - spring 2022 intern
Why do we study generations?
The CRI is run by Dr. Kristen Donnelly and Dr. Erin Hinson, The Good Doctors of Abbey Research (two older Millennials). Our work as corporate trainers has always focused on understanding generational differences.
With access to and engagement with members of Gen Z (born between 1995-2010), we saw a great opportunity to help bridge the gap we are seeing between this generation and the folks coaching, leading, managing, and employing them.
Ready to Learn More?
This video is from our CRI YouTube page and highlights the skill set and messaging campaigns created by our interns!
