BGSU joins Ohio Export Internship Program

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University and the Ohio Department of Development announced a partnership today, Sept. 30, to provide export training to students who can then use their knowledge to help Northwest Ohio businesses strengthen their export programs.

The 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.

BGSU 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: 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 Assistance 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 BGSU 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.

Students interested in joining the BGSU program should contact Dr. Zubair Mohamed, associate dean of the Schmidthorst College of Business and professor, at zubairm@bgsu.edu.

Companies interested in hiring an intern for summer 2023, can reach out to EIP@development.ohio.gov.