Advanced Manufacturing Accelerator

Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator

Gain career experience as early as your first year at BGSU

The Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator helps you explore career paths, connect with employers and gain real-world experience throughout your time at BGSU.

A Career Accelerator is a guided experience that connects what you are learning in class to real career opportunities through industry engagement, projects, site visits, networking and professional development.

You’ll visit companies, work on applied projects, meet professionals and build confidence as you learn how your major, interests and skills connect to careers in advanced manufacturing.

Open to students from any major, you can start as early as your first year or join at any point in your academic journey.

What is advanced manufacturing?

Advanced manufacturing is about much more than factories. It includes companies that use technology, innovation and automation to create products like cars, medical devices, food, glass, plastics, packaging and other everyday products. Advanced manufacturing companies need people with a wide range of interests and skills, from engineering and business to marketing, data analytics and supply chain management.

Across the U.S., manufacturing continues to evolve through automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, data, and advanced technologies.

For you, that means advanced manufacturing offers many different pathways for you to build a meaningful career in one of the country’s most important and innovative industries.

Multi Ethnic Team of Male and Female Leading Scientists Work on Innovative Robotics Technology. They Work in a Modern Laboratory/ Research Center.

Manufacturers may
need as many as

3.8

Million

workers between 2024 and 2033

Source: National Association of Manufacturers

Why start early?

By the time many students begin applying for internships in their junior or senior years, you'll already have professional, hands-on experience. You'll approach future internships, co-ops and careers with greater confidence, stronger skills and a clearer understanding of where you want to go.

What will I actually do?

As a student in a career accelerator, you’ll begin with career exploration and introductory experiences, then continue growing your skills, expanding your network and preparing for future opportunities.

Experiences may include:

Opportunities to meet and learn from employers, alumni, and professionals who can help you understand the field

Visiting companies and seeing what different careers actually look like

Working on projects connected to real-world challenges

The chance to meet and collaborate with students from different majors

Building confidence talking about your skills, interests and goals

Preparing for internships, co-ops, and future career opportunities

Each experience builds on the last, helping you move from career exploration to career readiness.

Can students from any major participate?

Yes. The Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator is open to students from any major. Whether your interests are technical, analytical, creative or business-focused, you'll have opportunities to explore how your skills and interests connect to careers in advanced manufacturing.

Advanced manufacturing offers career opportunities in many different areas, including:

Engineering and technology
Business and operations
Supply chain and logistics
Data and analytics
Marketing and communications

Why BGSU?

Located in one of the nation's leading manufacturing regions, BGSU connects students with employers, alumni and industry leaders across Ohio and the Midwest.

The Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator was developed in collaboration with BGSU's industry partners to give students earlier access to the employers, experiences and professional connections that lead to successful careers.

Through BGSU's relationships with leading employers and regional manufacturers, students will have opportunities to engage with professionals, explore careers and gain real-world experience.

Through the Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator, students will engage with employers through company visits, projects, networking and career exploration experiences designed to prepare them for internships, co-ops and future careers.

Join us at the BGSU Advanced Manufacturing Summit

Students are invited to connect with manufacturers, industry leaders, educators and regional partners at BGSU’s Advanced Manufacturing Summit on Thursday, Oct. 22.

Explore the Summit page

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from an internship?

The Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator helps you prepare for future internships and co-ops by giving you opportunities to explore careers, connect with employers and gain real-world experience early in your college journey.

Instead of working for one employer, you'll engage with a variety of companies and professionals while building the skills and confidence to pursue future opportunities.

Will this help me get an internship?

While participation does not guarantee an internship, the Accelerator helps you build the skills, experiences and employer connections that make you a stronger candidate for internships, co-ops and future careers.

Who is the Career Accelerator designed for?

The Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator is ideal for students who want to explore careers, gain professional experience early and build connections with employers, whether they already know what they want to do or are still exploring their options.

Does this cost extra?

No. Participation is included as part of the BGSU student experience.

Do I need to know anything about Advanced Manufacturing?

No. The Accelerator is designed to help you explore career options, ask questions and learn how your interests may connect to advanced manufacturing and related industries.

What will I gain from participating?

You'll gain career exploration opportunities, professional connections, real-world experience and a stronger understanding of potential career paths.

How much time does the Accelerator require?

The Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator is designed to fit into your academic experience. The first official Accelerator course will be a one-credit-hour course beginning in Spring 2027.

In addition to the course, students should expect regular Accelerator touchpoints outside of class, such as meetings, workshops, project work, networking opportunities, career exploration activities and company visits. Some site visits or special activities may take the place of a regular meeting. Schedule details will be shared in advance so students can plan ahead.

How does it work?

Students can begin by completing the interest form and requesting access to the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerator’s Canvas space. This online space will help you learn more about the program, complete an introductory microcredential, connect with other interested students and decide whether you want to continue into the course.

The first official course connected to the Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator will be offered in Spring 2027 as a section of BGSU 2910. Students can participate at any point in their academic journey, and the Accelerator is designed to fit within your BGSU experience while helping you explore career pathways, connect with employers and build professional experience over time.

When can I get involved?

Students can begin getting involved in Fall 2026 by completing the interest form and requesting access to the Accelerator’s Canvas space. This online space will help you learn more about the program, explore upcoming opportunities, complete an introductory microcredential, connect with other interested students and decide whether you want to continue into the course.

Some early engagement opportunities, such as career treks and introductory activities, may also begin in Fall 2026 for interested students.

The first official Accelerator course and cohort will begin in Spring 2027.

Ready to learn more?

Let’s talk. Complete the interest form to connect with our team. We'll explain how the program works, answer your questions and help you determine whether it's right for you.

Complete the interest form

Are you an employer or industry partner?

Learn how your organization can engage with the Advanced Manufacturing Career Accelerator through workforce development, student engagement, and strategic partnership opportunities.

Explore the Career Accelerator Industry Partner page

Updated: 08/24/2026 12:40PM