This January, students from all over Ohio will be partnering with local Ohio companies to help them start or expand their export initiatives through the Ohio Export Internship Program (OEIP). Each year, Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration, one of 3 Ohio Universities to offer OEIP courses, selects students from schools throughout Ohio to participate in the unique internship. It was recently announced that, of the 14 students selected for YSU’s program, four were chosen from The University of Akron, making it the most represented university in the program.
Started in 2012 by the Ohio Development Services Agency, The Ohio Export Internship Program seeks to increase Ohio exports while strengthening local businesses and providing paid hands-on, real-world experience to students who will, ideally, go on to join the Ohio workforce. The students who accept the internship will begin to work with local Ohio companies to help them start or expand their export initiatives in January.
The students selected from The University of Akron’s College of Business Administration include, Logan Dusseau (International Business, ’21), Matthew Bulgrin (Accounting, ‘20), Stephen Sweitzer (Supply Chain & Sales Management, ‘20), and Olivia Crain (International Business, ‘20).
Throughout the spring semester, students will take courses in international finance, management exports, marketing exports and supply chain in preparation for their upcoming internship. Over the summer, they will be matched with local companies to study their industries and research their needs in the export space, assisting with initiatives such as new market identification, market research and analysis, process streamlining, and more.
With opportunities for networking and applied, on-the-job work experience, the internship is highly valuable to students, especially those hoping to work in the international marketspace following graduation. The same can be said for the companies who, as a result of the students’ work, are able to grow into new markets and ultimately expand their sales.
“The opportunity for our students to participate in the Ohio Export Internship Program is testimony to the College of Business Administration’s (CBA) emphasis on professional development programs that lead to career readiness,” stated Dr. Mahesh Srinivasan, Associate Professor of Management and Director of the CBA’s Institute for Global Business. “It also demonstrates our commitment and involvement in helping businesses in the regional economy to be competitive by providing them access to students from a highly ranked business degree program right here in Ohio.”
According to The Business Daily Journal, 231 students have helped generate an estimated $31 million in export sales for 136 Ohio companies since the Ohio Export Internship Program began in 2012. Many participating students also receive job offers or internship extensions at the program’s conclusion.
Congratulations to the students chosen!