OCU seeks help from businesses
Partners needed for internship program
By CRAIG ALLISON
STAFF WRITER
Dave Garrison, chairman of the business department at Ohio
Christian University, is seeking the help of area businesses.
“We have approximately 325 business students enrolled at OCU,” said Garrison.
“One of their requirements for graduation is at some point in their stay here, they must complete a business internship of at least 40 hours,” he said. Garrison admitted that the university and the business community have not yet “found each other” and he would like to see that change.
“Potential businesses and employers don't seem to be aware we are here, or they aren't aware of our internship program,” he said.
Garrison related that the purpose of the program is to get students working for or within a business to give them exposure to management practices and strategies.
“What we don't want is for the student to just get a job and never get involved in any of the management aspects,” he said.
He said that the student doesn't have to be paid, although it would be nice if they did receive a slight compensation.
Because of the difficulty in securing internships, Garrison said the requirement was expanded to include performing small business consulting engagements under his supervision.
Two OCU business majors are currently performing such a consulting service at the Pickaway County Visitor's Bureau on West Main Street.
Jillian Weimer of Howe, Indiana, and Brittany Martin, of Mansfield, Ohio have been working with Visitor's Bureau Director Charlie Jackson.
“Our big focus has been on the bureau's website. We have been working on marketing issues as well as helping to get the bureau's information more readily available on social media such as Twitter and Facebook,” said Weimer.
“This is good timing for us at the bureau,” said Jackson.
“Recently I have been meeting more with our web designer. Jillian and Brittany have been giving me some very good ideas and I have been sharing them with the web designer,” he said.
Garrison stated Pickaway County and surrounding areas have many opportunities for internships, and businesses can benefit from what the students have learned.
For more information, contact Dave Garrison at Ohio Christian University
“We have approximately 325 business students enrolled at OCU,” said Garrison.
“One of their requirements for graduation is at some point in their stay here, they must complete a business internship of at least 40 hours,” he said. Garrison admitted that the university and the business community have not yet “found each other” and he would like to see that change.
“Potential businesses and employers don't seem to be aware we are here, or they aren't aware of our internship program,” he said.
Garrison related that the purpose of the program is to get students working for or within a business to give them exposure to management practices and strategies.
“What we don't want is for the student to just get a job and never get involved in any of the management aspects,” he said.
He said that the student doesn't have to be paid, although it would be nice if they did receive a slight compensation.
Because of the difficulty in securing internships, Garrison said the requirement was expanded to include performing small business consulting engagements under his supervision.
Two OCU business majors are currently performing such a consulting service at the Pickaway County Visitor's Bureau on West Main Street.
Jillian Weimer of Howe, Indiana, and Brittany Martin, of Mansfield, Ohio have been working with Visitor's Bureau Director Charlie Jackson.
“Our big focus has been on the bureau's website. We have been working on marketing issues as well as helping to get the bureau's information more readily available on social media such as Twitter and Facebook,” said Weimer.
“This is good timing for us at the bureau,” said Jackson.
“Recently I have been meeting more with our web designer. Jillian and Brittany have been giving me some very good ideas and I have been sharing them with the web designer,” he said.
Garrison stated Pickaway County and surrounding areas have many opportunities for internships, and businesses can benefit from what the students have learned.
For more information, contact Dave Garrison at Ohio Christian University
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