(Left to right) Jim Strode, director of undergraduate programs at the College of Business and associate professor of sports management at O’Bleness; Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs; Ashley Metcalf, Director of Executive Education and Robert H. Freeman Associate Professor of Operations Management; Jackie Rees Ulmer, dean of the College of Business; and John Carey, director of the Office of the Governor of Appalachia.
Ohio University and the Ohio Department of Development today announced their partnership to provide export training to students, who can then use their knowledge to help southeast Ohio companies strengthen their export programs through the Ohio Export Internship Program (OEIP).
Beginning in the Spring 2023 semester, OHIO’s College of Business will offer an export-oriented class that transitions to experiential learning opportunities through export-related internships in small to medium-sized Ohio companies. As part of the program, students will also be enrolled in the National Association of Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE) Student Pathway Program to prepare for completion of the Certified Global Business Professional micro-credential.
“The College of Business is committed to making a social impact in Southeast Ohio by ensuring the next generation of business people have the critical export knowledge and skills,” said Jackie Rees Ulmer, Dean of the College of Business . “Ohio University is well positioned to provide such experiences in both classroom and practice through the expertise of its world-class faculty and well-established internship ecosystem.
The Ohio Export Internship Program is administered by the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Export and International Engagement.
“Experiential learning is critical to the value proposition we made with our undergraduate Business Bobcats,” said Jim Strode, Ph.D., director of undergraduate programs at the College of Business. “Through the Ohio Export Internship Program, we offer real-world global experiences to our students here in the Appalachia region.”
Since the program began in 2012, 411 students have helped 232 Ohio companies improve their export programs. The interns’ work has resulted in 400 new international markets, dealers or customers for participating companies. Development reimburses companies for half of summer intern salaries. The very successful program has resulted in 136 internships being extended at company expense and 69 new full-time positions being created in the companies.
Ohio University is one of two universities to be added to the Ohio Export Internship Program this year. Bowling Green State University is also added; Both universities will join four others already part of the program: Ohio State University, Cleveland State University, University of Dayton and Youngstown State University.
“We’re excited to be able to expand the reach of this internship program,” said Development Manager Lydia Mihalik. “Ohio is now the nation’s ninth largest exporter, and our goal is to help companies enter export markets so that products made in Ohio get into the hands of more international customers.”
Applications for OHIO’s OEIP are open now and will be accepted until October 16th. Interested applicants are encouraged to learn more and apply online.
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