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!



Current OEIP Intern Cohort

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!

BGSU joins OEIP: OEIP in the News

BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers, Schmidthorst College of Business Dean Dr. Jennifer Percival, students and Ohio state leaders gather for a photo to dedicate the University's partnership with the Ohio Export Internship Program.

BGSU Ohio Export Internship: Program Details

  • MGMT 3920 Exporting Strategy and Practice (3 credit hours, spring semester)
  • Held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., at Bowling Green State University.
  • The class will be taught by experts in the field of international trade to gain specialized export instruction on topics such as global market analysis, export partner identification, international pricing, logistics, distribution, and other real-life issues and challenges.
  • You will be automatically enrolled. Please leave room in your spring schedule to accommodate this three-credit required course.
  • Students from other universities are enrolled at their own institutions.
  • Hands-on experience working with senior executives at dynamic Ohio companies
  • In-depth knowledge about new export market opportunities
  • Valuable networking opportunities with participating companies and industry experts
  • Access to faculty and government experts
  • Specialized knowledge from an exporting class during Spring Semester

This program is open to all BGSU students, both international and domestic.

Applicants are carefully evaluated, and viable candidates are interviewed by the program director prior to admittance to the program. Applicants will be evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Interest in exporting and international business
  • Detailed organization and planning skills
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Flexibility and enthusiasm
  • Attend the spring semester course at Bowling Green State University (MGMT 3920)
  • Commitment to work with a company for 40 hours per week for 12 weeks during the summer semester
  • A minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Successful completion of a face-to-face interview with the instructors (interviews to be scheduled)

Once accepted into the OEIP program, students will be placed with a small to medium sized Ohio company during the spring semester of 2024.

All student internships will be in the summer and will be a paid internship with access to resources provided by the state and federal government, as well as Bowling Green State University.

Internships can be in any sector or industry and will focus specifically on international trade efforts. Examples of past companies include Davenport Aviation, Fecon, Global Gauge, Rain Drop Products, Regal Beloit, Sutphen Fire Trucks, U.S. Bridge, and Worthington Industries, just to name a few.

You must attach your current resume as a PDF to your submitted application. Your resume is the starting point for your internship placement so make sure it's up-to-date and accurately reflects your competence in the best possible way.

The application to the 2024 OEIP is currently closed. If you have an interest in enrolling in the MGMT 3920 Export Strategy and Practice class, kindly reach out to Dr. Man Zhang at mzhang@bgsu.edu for registration assistance.

OEIP Impact

President's "E" 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 any U.S. organization can receive for its contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports. 

The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business ENews, Fisher College of Business Receives President's Award for Global Trade, Exporting Initiatives

Past OEIP Participants

Photo of Yuka Matsufuji standing in a warehouse with boxes.

Yuka Matsufuji, Majored in International Studies and Minored in International Business, Class of 2022, 2021 OEIP Participant

"The OEIP not only taught me how to export and how much Ohio contributes to U.S. exports, but also connected me with other export business professionals and peers with similar interests in exporting.

Through this experience, I have found many wonderful and lasting connections. OEIP export coordinators and professors are always here to help you succeed even after graduating from college. If you are interested in working for an international company, this program is something you should not miss in your college career.

I can't wait to see what the future holds for the new OEIP cohorts hosted by Bowling Green State University after they learn about the many great aspects of exporting from Ohio."

Jalin Trevion Golden sitting front of a computer in an office cubicle

Jalin Trevion Golden, Majored in International Business, Class of 2023, OEIP 2022 Participant

"My experience with the OEIP program was nothing but positive. Not only was I able to gain a better understanding of exporting on an international scale but I was also able to connect and work with a local business in my home city. They provided me with all the resources I needed to succeed In my internship and the program allowed me to meet with other very intelligent and driven interns. This program was amazing! I hope it helps other interns the way it helped me."

Kerrigan T Dick in a group photo with friends
Kerrigan T Dick at a computer in an office

Kerrigan T Dick, Majored in International Business, Class of 2024, 2022 OEIP Participant

"The classroom setting of this program is designed to aid the students in expanding their exporting knowledge with student lead presentations and real company case studies. The material learned throughout the class can prepare a student with valuable knowledge, that they can used during one’s internship.

Through my time in the program, I was also able to make lasting connections within my professional and personal life that I will carry with me into the future. I thank the state of Ohio, the Ohio State University and Bowling Green State University for this opportunity and I hope that every student takes advantage of this outstanding program.

I am excited to see Bowling Green take off with this astounding program and allow more students to gain an insight to the exporting world."

BGSU International Business Programs

In today’s increasingly interdependent global economy, the ability of business students to adapt and thrive in diverse business environments is becoming more crucial than ever before. BGSU offers the international business program to provide students an opportunity to learn and think about the world of business on a global scale. International business students do not only learn business transactions that cross-national boundaries, but also develop understanding of the political, cultural and regulatory environments that shape international business and trade. Students with a specialization or minor in international business at BGSU learn necessary accounting, finance, marketing, management, and supply chain skills to prepare them to succeed in multinational corporations (MNC), large and smaller firms that have international activities. Click here to learn more about the international business program at BGSU.

Updated: 03/19/2024 02:55PM