Preparing students for the workforce from day one

Across the university, Wright State’s colleges are creating opportunities for students to build professional connections, gain hands-on experience, work alongside industry partners and develop the skills employers are seeking.

From internships and mentoring to research, clinical experiences, experiential learning and corporate partnerships, students can connect what they learn in the classroom with the real-world needs of their chosen fields. 

Here’s a look at a few opportunities that Wright State students have across campus and throughout the region. In future stories, we will take a closer look at the programs and partnerships each college offers to help its students gain experience, build connections and prepare for their future.

Center for Civics, Culture and Workforce Development

Wright State’s aviation program is preparing students to take to the skies through partnerships with industry leaders. With First Flight Aviation’s longstanding relationship with ABX Air, which flies for Amazon, DHL and the military, leadership is able to recommend students and instructors for employment after they complete their studies, providing an invaluable opportunity to launch their careers flying around the world. In November, 80 students are traveling to Air Transport Services, which includes ABX Air, for a 3-day field experience.

Through a longstanding partnership with ABX Air, aviation students can be recommended for employment after graduating from the aviation program. (Photos by Erin Pence)

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Thirteen corporate partnerships have created endless opportunities for students in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Companies such as Winsupply, Reynolds and Reynolds, AES Foundation and Booz Allen Hamilton support the education experiences of more than 1,800 students in the college — providing services such as mock interviews, hosting partner-only career fairs and connecting students to leaders in the industry.

Thirteen corporate partners provide College of Engineering and Computer Science students services such as mock interviews, partner-only career fairs and valuable networking opportunities.

College of Health, Education and Human Services

The Office of Partnerships and Field Experiences (OPFE), housed within the College of Health, Education and Human Services, works with local school districts to connect teacher candidates with practicing teachers and P-12 students. Through field experience placements, Wright State’s education students gain first-hand experience in a classroom setting, receive mentorship from a teacher at their placement school and work with a university supervisor who coaches them on effective teaching practices.

The Office of Partnerships and Field Experiences places teaching candidates into local schools, allowing them to gain experience in the classroom and receive mentorship from practicing teachers.

College of Liberal Arts

The College of Liberal Arts is making career resources more accessible by meeting students where they are. Throughout September, Career on the Road brought career consultants to select academic buildings for two hours a week, providing students with convenient opportunities to receive resume feedback, ask questions and connect with additional resources without scheduling a formal appointment.

Career consultants are meeting College of Liberal Arts students where they are at, giving students convenient opportunities to ask questions, receive feedback and connect with additional resources.

College of Science and Mathematics

The Medical Laboratory Sciences program in the College of Science and Mathematics partners with local healthcare facilities across the region to provide hands-on experience during clinical rotations. With the support of affiliates such as Dayton Children’s Hospital and Premier Health’s Compunet Clinical Laboratories, students rotate through several specialty laboratories, gaining exposure to various environments and insight into potential employment opportunities.

Partnerships with local healthcare facilities provide Medical Laboratory Sciences students hands-on experience in various environments during their clinical rotations.

Raj Soin College of Business

Through mentorship and networking programs, the Raj Soin College of Business connects students with industry professionals and helps them build relationships that can shape their future careers. Emerging Marketing Leaders connects 15 marketing students with professionals in the community through workshops and development sessions while also providing a $1,000 scholarship, while the NextGen Mentorship Program offers 12 management information systems (MIS) students 1:1 mentorship opportunities with members of the MIS Corporate Advisory Board.

The Raj Soin College of Business connects students with industry professionals through a variety of mentorship and networking programs.