Ohio Export Internship Program
Jumpstart your career with a meaningful, paid summer internship focused on global trade! The award-winning Ohio Export Internship Program (OEIP) prepares students with critical skillsets needed to succeed in a career of global trade and commerce.
Build your resume and complete a micro-credential as a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) at the same time!
This program demonstrates the positive impact of partnerships between the state of Ohio, its universities and private industry. The Ohio State University and the state of Ohio Department of Development initially formed this strategic partnership with the goal to train a global workforce, grow export sales, and create jobs within small to medium-sized Ohio companies. The program has expanded to six academic cohort universities across the state that teach the preparation course for students from over 18 universities. The overall goal is to help close the skills gap between Ohio companies that need employees who know how to export and students from universities across the state of Ohio who have developed those critical global business skills.
The OEIP has succeeded in training students from across the state in the fundamentals of exporting, and by placing them with companies to apply that knowledge in real business challenges, they're making an impact on Ohio's economy!
A required course in the Spring semester prepares students to intern with small to mid-size Ohio companies to analyze the company's export readiness and contribute to the development of the company's export strategy. Students apply learning from the course to their internship project scope, and are carefully matched with Ohio companies to complete a 12-week paid summer internship upon successful completion of the course.
Spring Semester Class
- Required: BUSMHR 4570 Establishing Export Firms (3 Credits)
- The class features three main parts: guest speakers, student presentations, and a semester-long export consulting project with a real Ohio company. These aspects of the course come together to provide a valuable network of trade professionals, hands-on experience, and unrivaled opportunities to develop confidence and professionalism.
- Students will also be enrolled in the NASBITE Student Pathway Program in preparation to complete the Certified Global Business Professional micro-credential.
- BUSMHR 4570 is a closed course and students will be enrolled in the class upon selection to join OEIP. Please leave room in your spring schedule to accommodate this three-credit required course.
- The course start and end dates reflect Ohio State's spring semester calendar.
- Students from other universities are enrolled at their own institutions.
Summer Internship Placement
Students will be carefully evaluated during the spring course and matched with a small to medium-sized Ohio company accordingly. Students will provide an internship profile with responses that will guide the company placement process.
Students will start their paid internships Mid May through Mid August. Your internship experience includes access to resources provided by the state and federal governments, as well as The Ohio State University. Students are also expected to leverage their relationships with classroom guest speakers, who are subject-matter-experts, and resources shared during the course.
Internships can be in any sector or industry and will focus specifically on international trade efforts.
This program is open to all business students, both international and domestic.
Applicants are carefully evaluated and viable candidates are interviewed by an OEIP team prior to acceptance to the program. Applicants for the 2025 Program will be evaluated on the criteria below:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater
- Sophomore rank or higher
- Experience abroad is preferred, but not required
- Previous work experience
- Access to a car for summer internship transportation is REQUIRED
- Excellent communication skills, as evidenced in the required video
- Flexibility and enthusiasm are required
The application opens on August 19, 2024 and the Initial Placement Deadline (IDP) is September 27, 2024 and the Final Deadline is October 11, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
- Complete all questions on your application.
- Complete and upload the required application documents (resume and video link: see below).
- Expect to hear from the Office of Global Business 1-2 weeks after the Initial Placement Deadline.
- Instructions to schedule an interview for those who advance to the next round will be sent directly to the applicant.
Application Documents
Up-to-Date-Resume
You must upload your current resume as a PDF with your submitted application. Your resume is the starting point for your internship placement, so make sure that it accurately reflects your competence and experience in the best possible way.
Three-Minute Video
Prepare a three-minute video describing the following:
- Brief introduction that describes why you would be an excellent candidate for the Ohio Export Internship Program
- Share your level of understanding as it relates to international business and why this understanding is important
- Articulate examples of how you can add value to the program
You must upload your video to a video sharing platform, and provide the link to your video in your application. You may utilize any media platform that you prefer, such as BuckeyeBox, YouTube, Google Drive, DropBox, etc. Your video does not need to be available to the public, but please make sure that it is accessible via the link you provide in your application. Failure to submit an active link with your application will result in your application being disqualified.
Ohio Export Internship Program Events
Students should join one of the following events to gain more information:
Session | Access |
---|---|
OEIP Info Session 2024 | Recording |
Ohio Export Internship: Other Program Details
OEIP President's "E" Award and "E" Star Award
In May 2016 and 2017, this unique program was recognized for its export excellence by receiving the President’s “E” Award as a nationwide model for impactful collaboration to expand exports in Ohio. The award was presented at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker in 2016, and by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in 2017. The award is the highest recognition that any U.S. organization can receive for its contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. Fisher College of Business recently accepted the U.S. Department of Commerce 2022 President's "E Star" Award from Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo for ongoing success in efforts to boost global trade for the state of Ohio.
The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business ENews, Fisher College of Business Receives President's Award for Global Trade, Exporting Initiatives
The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business ENews, Global Trade Programming Earns National Award
EIP In The News
- Yahoo Finance, The Ohio Export Internship Program Uses Powerful Matching Technology for Placing 2019 Interns, Sep, 2019
- The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business ENews,
Export Internship Program Continuing to Train Global Business Leaders, Aug, 2018 - Brookings Institute, The Avenue, "Back to School" on Exporting - Ohio State Expands Award-Winning Model, Aug, 2017
- The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business ENews, Export Internship Program Celebrates Exporting Impact, Aug, 2017
- The Ohio State University Lantern, Ohio Universities Unite to Expand Ohio Exporting Through Internship Program, Aug, 2015
- Buckeye Voices Blog, Closing the Export Knowledge Gap
- Columbus Underground, Partnership Between State and OSU Trains Export-Focused Interns
- Columbus Dispatch, Ohio State Students Help Local Companies Boost Local Companies
- Brookings Institute Export Article, A Global Role for Universities: Helping Firms Boost Exports
EIP Showcase
Each year an Export Internship Program Showcase is held to celebrate the accomplishments of the student interns during their internships. Participating companies are highlighted and success stories are shared during an event that attracts state and university leaders, as well as those interested in economic development around the State of Ohio.
The following links highlight past Showcases:
- 2015 EIP Showcase Video
- 2016 EIP Showcase Video
- 2018 EIP Showcase Video
- The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business Exports, Experience, Excellence: The Ohio Export Internship Program, Jul, 2016
- The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business ENews
Ohio Export Internship Program Showcases the Value of Partnerships, Aug, 2015 - Columbus Business First, Jim Tressel to Promote Export Internships at Forum in Columbus, July, 2015
During the spring semester class of the Ohio Export Internship Program, students will receive specialized export instruction from industry experts on topics ranging from global market analysis and identification of export partners, to international pricing strategies and logistics/distribution. You can find below a wide range of industry professionals that have lectured in the EIP classroom to assist in the export readiness of our students.
Export Assistance Network Directors
- Nathaniel Ward, Director, Cleveland, Ohio; 216.523.7347;n.t.ward54@csuohio.edu
- Roberta Winch, Director, Columbus, Ohio; 614.287.3850;rwinch@cscc.edu
- Kathy Marshalek, Director, Dayton, Ohio; 937.775.3524;kathy.marshalek@wright.edu
- Kelly O'Bryant, Director, Piketon, Ohio; 740.289.2071;obryant.6@osu.edu
- Sabrina D'Onofrio, Director, Toledo, Ohio; 419.243.8191 X 225;sabrina.donofrio@toledochamber.com
- Mousa Kassis, Director, Youngstown, Ohio; 330-941-2140; mhkassis@ysu.edu.
Past Class Speakers
- Tim Sword, President, Columbus Sister Cities International, 88 East Broad Street, Suite 1750, Columbus, Ohio 43215; TSword@columbussistercities.org
- Steve Kelley, Ohio Development Services Agency, 77 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215; 614.466.9350; Steven.Kelley@development.ohio.gov
- Tom Bainbridge, Export Assistance Program Manager, Ohio Development Services Agency; 614.728.3120
- Deb Scherer, Managing Director, Global Trade and Investments, Columbus 2020; 614.225.6096; ds@columbusregion.com
- Susan Whitney, Director, U.S. Commercial Services, U.S. Department of Commerce, Cleveland, OH; 216.522.4750; Susan.Whitney@trade.gov
- Darren Srebnick, Director, US Commercial Service, US Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Columbus, OH; Darren.Srebnick@trade.gov
- Amy Freedman, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Services, Department of Commerce, Cleveland, OH; 216.522.4737; Amy.Freedman@trade.gov
- Patrick Hayes, International Trade Finance Manager-Eastern USA, U.S. Small Business Administration; 216.522.4731; patrick.hayes@sba.gov
- Vinita Mehra, Director and Chair, Asia Pacific Practice Kegler Brown Hill & Ritter; 614-255-5508; keglerbrown.com/bahrimehra
- Dan Ujzco, Of Counsel and Practice Group Chair, Dickinson-Wright, Detroit, MI
- Michael Easton, General Manager, Star USA, 250 N Davis Rd, Ashland, Ohio 44805; 419.281.4778; mdeaston@starusa.org
- Chris Pilkington, Senior Vice President, International Business Development, Huntington Bank; 614.429.7440; chris.pilkington@huntington.com
- Mark Belles, Director, Currency Risk Management, Huntington Bank; 614.331.2132; Mark.Belles@huntington.com
- Mark Klein, Regional Director, ExIM Bank of the U.S., 312.375.1883; mark.klein@exim.gov
- Bryan Schreiber, Manager, Business Development, Air Cargo, Columbus Regional Airport Authority, Rickenbacker Inland Port
- Justin Plessinger, Export Manager, Expeditors Columbus
- Thomas Ault, District Sales Manager
- Mark Locker, Manager, Freight, Maritime & Logistics, Ohio Department of Transportation
- Paul Reeder, Executive Director, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Fisher College of Business
- Christina Sevilla, Deputy Assistant, U.S. Trade Representative for Small Business, Washington, DC
- James Foley, Author, The Global Entrepreneur, Director, Turner Center for Entrepreneurship Illinois SBDC International Trade Center
Contact Information
Dominic DiCamillo
Senior Director
Office of Global Business
Mason Hall 226
250 W. Woodruff Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA
©2024 Fisher College of Business
2100 Neil Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43210