The aim of the paper is to describe how project work in education could provide students with a hands-on, experiential learning approach that enhances their critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and research skills. While teaching methods have largely remained the same, job requirements in today's job market have changed significantly. Many companies find that graduates and job applicants lack essential soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, design thinking, and problem-solving.
The methodology is based on the analysis of the existing literature and a survey addressed to 80 Master's students and 30 professors of University of Turin.
A project work typically involves a group of students working on a defined problem set by a client company. The company provides a brief, and students collaborate in teams to develop a solution, which they later present to the company’s managers. The feedback provided by the company after the presentations holds great importance and adds significant value that should not be overlooked. Several objectives are set for project work.

The activities involved in a project work help students engage with topics in a meaningful way, beyond mere fact memorization, encouraging deep and interactive learning. They teach students how to develop strong research skills by gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information from various sources. Creativity and innovation are also fostered through the application of methods that encourage students to think outside the box and develop creative solutions to the problems presented. Additionally, teamwork enhances communication and cooperation, improving students’ ability to collaborate and preparing them for professional environments, while building practical knowledge.

Project work also encourages students to take ownership of their learning and develop self-reliance, while enhancing their presentation and communication skills. It challenges them to find solutions to real or hypothetical problems, strengthening their problem-solving abilities. Overall, project-based learning helps students to apply what they learn in practical situations, making education more engaging and impactful.

In this paper, we are going to analyze the pros and cons of the project-based learning method in education, the importance of the brief, and the significance of feedback.

Keywords: Project-based learning, integrated education, team work.