The Ohio Department of Development and Bowling Green State University today announced they are partnering to provide export training to students who can then use their knowledge to help Northwest Ohio businesses strengthen their export programs.
Bowling Green State University’s Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business will begin offering an export-focused class in the spring semester 2023, and students in the class will be eligible for export-related internships at companies across the state beginning in May 2023.
Bowling Green State University is one of two universities being added to the Ohio Export Internship Program this year. The other is Ohio University, and both universities join four others that already are part of the program: The Ohio State University, Cleveland State University, the University of Dayton, and Youngstown State University.
The Ohio Export Internship Program is administered by the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Export and International Engagement.
“We’re pleased that we are able to extend the reach of this internship program,” Development Director Lydia Mihalik said. “Ohio is now the ninth largest exporting state in the nation, and our goal is to help companies enter export markets so Ohio-made products get in the hands of more international customers.”
"Through this partnership, Bowling Green State University will meet Ohio's workforce needs and support the success of our students," BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers said. "As a public university for the public good, BGSU is committed to supporting businesses, our communities and to help drive economic vitality. We are so pleased to collaborate with the Ohio Department of Development to provide robust opportunities to our students and help move our region and Ohio forward."
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, distributors, or customers for participating companies.
Development reimburses companies for half of the summer interns’ wages. The highly successful program has led to 136 internships being extended at company expense and 69 new full-time jobs at the companies.
The addition of Bowling Green State University and Ohio University will allow the program to expand to more students each year and provide export-focused interns to more companies. Students take export-related coursework at the six universities, but students can be from any college or university in the state. Students from 19 Ohio universities have participated in the program since 2012.
Development will reimburse companies for half of the intern’s wages.
Students interested in joining the program can contact the universities:
Ohio State: Joyce Steffan, steffan.10@osu.edu
Cleveland State: Nate Ward, n.t.ward54@cusohio.edu
Dayton: Janet Leonard, jleonard1@udayton.edu
Youngstown State: Mousa Kassis, mhkassis@ysu.edu
Ohio University: Jim Strode, strode@ohio.edu
Bowling Green: Zubair Mohamed, zubairm@bgsu.edu
Companies interested in hiring an intern for summer 2023, can reach out to EIP@development.ohio.gov. For more information about the program, visit EIP.development.ohio.gov. To view a video about the 2022 internship program, click here.
The Export Internship Program is one way that Development is helping small businesses enter international markets or expand existing export programs. Development also administers:
International Market Access Grant for Exporters: IMAGE provides eligible companies a 50% reimbursement of up to $10,000 in grant funds to engage in activities to increase export sales.
International Market Support Program: Development contracts with in-market representatives around the work to help businesses with market research and matchmaking with potential customers.
Export Assistance Network: This regional network of offices provides market research and advice to businesses on exporting.
For more information about these programs, visit development.ohio.gov/ExportAssistance.
Posted November 20, 2022