Class Description
The Ohio Export Internship Program – (BUSMHR 4570) is a semester long course and summer internship designed to give students academic and practical application of global trade and commerce. The 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 include 18 universities and colleges across the state. The overall mission 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 class is divided into two parts, both occurring simultaneously: in-person education on topics surrounding global trade and commerce, and a semester long project. Each student is assigned a project group which is tasked with applying the gained in-class knowledge and experience by creating an export strategic plan for a business in Ohio seeking to develop an export strategy to a new market. By the end of the semester, students are provided with all the tools and technical skillets to thrive in their internship’s in businesses throughout the state of Ohio.
Class Reflection
The Ohio Export Internship Program truly was a tremendous experience. Not only was I exposed to the academic theory behind effective exporting, but also all the numerous resources and tools available to new exporters – especially those offered by the Ohio Department of Development. Then, equipped with all the knowledge and technical skill sets to make a tangible difference in the export potential of a business, I was presented with great opportunities to implement these ideas into operating Ohio-based companies.
Over the summer, I was given the opportunity to implement an export strategic plan for a distributor of industrial supplies in the Cincinnati based area. They had just acquired a huge contract of orders to service manufacturers in both Canada and Mexico, so it was essential they were prepared to export efficiently and in compliance with all the regulatory bodies in both the US and Mexico.
I don’t know exactly what my future holds, but if I ever do become an entrepreneur and decide to start a business in Ohio, I know the best steps to take to maximize the potential success for any export ventures within that company. Here are some of the most useful resources that I drew from all my experiences surrounding the program:
- UN Comtrade – Get trade data for any country, imports & exports, by HTS code
- World Bank – Get macro and micro indicators of market viability for any country
- UNCTADstat – Country profile for export viability for any country
- Ohio Department of Development: Export Assistance and International Engagement – Collection of free and great value services for Ohio based companies manufacturing/assembling/distributing an exportable product/service
- IMAGE Grant: 50% off international marketing expenses (Up to 10k value)
- International Market Support (IMS) Program
- Export Counseling Network (Roberta Winch for Columbus based companies)
The course is essentially direct preparation for the CGBP or Certified Global Business Professional exam, so I figured I would sit for the exam. Due to the high level of instruction and access to all the best preparatory materials, I was able to pass the exam and gain my CGBP certification.
I will go into this further in the last section of this E-Portfolio, but I was also involved in the 2022 NASBITE Case Competition with 3 other former graduates of the OEIP program. I was so glad to be given the opportunity to refresh my skills that I learned over the 2021 OEIP cohort class experience and the summer internship, and to represent Ohio State in the competition.
Joyce Steffan and Roberta Wench do a tremendous job in running the course and guiding the students to making the best recommendations possible in export strategy. Wendi Howell also does a great job of finding companies seeking support and matching students in the OEIP program. If you are part of an Ohio company seeking to engage in this program, please click here.
As a student, once you are a part of the OEIP program, you will become a part of a network of professionals with an exemplary understanding of global trade. If you are a student seeking to engage in this course for the global option in business or just seeking a fantastic opportunity to prepare yourself for a role in global commerce, please check out the program!