Alumni Testimonials
The IBE program was one of the most transformative organizations I was a part of during my time at Ohio State. From the very first day of Freshman year, when I met some of my soon-to-be closest friends, I knew the program would be special.
For me, what set IBE apart from other programs on campus was the holistic blend of experiences. Whether in the cornerstone and capstone projects that pushed us to take ideas from concept to prototype, or the trip to Chicago where we connected with IBE alumni in a professional setting, the variety of intriguing events both inside and outside the classroom truly integrated the business and engineering skills which I looked build when joining IBE.
In addition to these experiences, the people involved made the program even more impactful. Collaborating alongside some of the most talented and driven students in the entire university allowed me to stretch my learning and involvement within a highly populated urban environment, deeply connecting me with the city of Columbus.
Looking back, IBE provided not only a strong academic foundation but also lasting friendships, real-world experiences, and the confidence to act as a leader within my career.
“The Integrated Business and Engineering (IBE) Program was the most impactful part of my experience at Ohio State as it relates to professional development, marketability, and execution ability. In my professional career, I've found problem-solving and the ability to adapt to problems with imperfect information to be critical. These are the traits that IBE strengthens through its multidisciplinary approach; while many IBE alumni likely won't need to use a CAD software or develop mock-ups for a new product again, the breadth of experience and responsibility asked of us students over the course of 4 years was building this muscle of problem solving and ownership steadily.
In practice, no business problem is going to have clear direction or a definitely correct answer. Because of this reality, being able to execute swiftly and confidently among uncertainty is valuable and necessary in the real world and a universal thread among IBE graduates.
The Honors Integrated Business & Engineering program challenges the traditional university learning model by allowing its cohort of students to access a range of engineering specialties, computer science skills, and managerial decision-making capabilities.
The program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to take MBA-styled courses that helped me learn how to have a strategy for my strategy, a lesson that allowed me to develop a mindset that blends analytical problem solving with creativity.
As of a result of the four-year program, I was incredibly prepared for a career in managerial consulting, as my previous experience in IBE prepared me to analyze situations from multiple lenses, present my ideas clearly, and deliver meaningful value to my clients.
Beyond its next-level curriculum, the IBE program cultivated a culture of community. I was able to witness cohort members join forces to create new ground-breaking organizations on campus, be recognized by the University President for their innovative work, and build strong bonds across our cohort - relationships that will certainly lead to business partnerships, career support, and continued friendships.
“The Integrated Business & Engineering Honors Program challenged me to think beyond traditional academic boundaries. By combining technical depth with business strategy, IBE taught me how to approach complex problems from multiple angles - an approach that’s been invaluable throughout my career.
Today at JMI, I consistently rely on the skills I developed in IBE. Whether it’s assessing a new investment, finding creative ways to meet exciting founding teams or supporting a portfolio company, the ability to think analytically while staying focused on strategic outcomes is critical. IBE helped me build that foundation early - blending structured problem-solving with adaptability and clear communication.
That said, what stood out most about the program was the community. The cohort model created a collaborative environment where I was surrounded by peers who were driven, supportive, and eager to learn. That network, along with the hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum, has continued to shape how I work and lead in my career.”
Coming into OSU as a freshman, I wasn't sure what the right path for me was. I knew I was interested in business, but also felt a strong affinity for science and technology. The IBE program gave me the unique opportunity to explore and grow in both areas of study- through the curriculum and my peers.
The hands-on, MBA-style curriculum of this program truly sets it apart from other undergrad experiences. From Day 1, you're asked to work collaboratively with a cohort of students from different functions, challenged to think with business acumen and a technical eye, and equipped with strategic frameworks and toolkits. IBE rightfully blurs the lines between business and technology, equipping students with well-rounded skill sets that are highly sought after across industries today. 5+ years after graduating, I still find my core experiences and learnings from the IBE program to be highly relevant, and am constantly in awe of the amazing achievements of my cohort peers!
The IBE program was the highlight of my academic experience at The Ohio State University.. The best part of the program was the selection of people. IBE brings together some of the most talented students at the University. Students who are ambitious and eager to challenge themselves by working in an interdisciplinary setting. I admired each person in my cohort, but as a whole, we were not competitive, but rather very collaborative, encouraging, and genuinely fun.
Taking classes with that cohort for four years was a privilege, but the curriculum itself was also differentiated. The class format varied widely, from hands-on product development sessions to case-based strategy discussions, providing a very holistic complement to other more typical Ohio State classes.
The dynamic curriculum and exposure to fields such as material science and computer science didn't make me an expert software developer but did teach me how to understand the basics of other technical fields in order to collaborate with people from different disciplines. The program helped me build the foundation to become a strong business and project leader.