From BGSU to the Cleveland Clinic: What it looks like to maximize the college experience

Brandon Perkins '25 graduated in just two and a half years and already has a full-time job offer

In just two and a half years, Brandon Perkins '25 earned an international business degree from Bowling Green State University, completed two internships at the Cleveland Clinic and secured a full-time job there before graduation.

He also participated in multiple student organizations, conducted undergraduate research through the Honors College and built meaningful relationships across the University – all while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.

From the moment Perkins first stepped onto campus, he said he knew Bowling Green was the right choice.

“It started with my first visit. Everybody made you feel like you have a place at BGSU,” he said. “I didn’t feel like a number. I could sense that this is a campus with a lot of growth potential and countless opportunities to succeed. Bowling Green truly feels like my second home.”

The summer after his first year, Perkins completed an internship in the internal audit and advisory services department at the Cleveland Clinic – one of the world’s most renowned healthcare organizations. 

There, he contributed to high-impact projects, including automating key processes and redesigning workflows to substantially increase efficiency.

“My Bowling Green education really did prepare me for that internship,” Perkins said. “The Schmidthorst College of Business gives students the resources they need to succeed. You can build great relationships with your professors, and they are wonderful mentors who genuinely care about your success. The school made me feel supported from the beginning, and the student experience is unmatched.”

A native of Strongsville, Ohio, just south of Cleveland, Perkins returned for another internship the following summer, gaining additional experience in project management.

Before finishing his final semester in Fall 2025, Perkins accepted a full-time role as a systems analyst at the Cleveland Clinic.

“I’m incredibly grateful I chose BGSU for my undergraduate degree,” he said. “The relationships I built with peers, professors and the staff were excellent, and they played a major role in shaping the opportunities I have today.”

Perkins is continuing his education at BGSU through the University’s highly-regarded online MBA program.