Business Students Support Regional Export Activities
Fifteen business students have been selected to participate in the 2023 Ohio Export Internship Program in the Williamson College of Business Administration at YSU.
Students selected for this competitive program completed specialized coursework in exporting this spring semester and have been matched with an Ohio company for a full-time paid summer internship. Internship projects include export compliance, market research, market expansion, and international business plans.
The Ohio Export Internship Program, created by the Ohio Department of Development and offered at Youngstown State University, The Ohio State University, Cleveland State University, the University of Dayton, Ohio University and Bowling Green State University, provides a unique opportunity for businesses interested in expanding their exporting activities.
In the nine years the WCBA has hosted this program, including 2023, 104 students have completed the program, 16 have received full-time job offers and 15 have chosen to take and passed the Certified Global Business Professional exam. Each year, students are formed into teams to complete real-life company projects with Ohio SBDC Export Assistance Network clients. In total, the YSU cohort has completed thirty-three company projects of either an International Business Plan or Export Compliance Manual.
Mousa Kassis, director, Export Assistance Network in the Ohio Small Business Development Center at YSU, is the instructor for the course and the director of the YSU-OEIP.
This year’s participants from the Youngstown State University cohort include:
Kabir Abdullahi, Youngstown State University
Abdullahi is originally from Lagos, Nigeria and is currently pursuing a BSBA in Accounting. He is expected to graduate in Spring of 2025. For the past two years, Abdullahi has worked on campus and held multiple leadership roles, as well. He plans to become a Certified Public Accountant, with a desire of becoming an international accountant. Abdullahi was matched with Global Cooling.
Jamison Ball, Youngstown State University
Ball is pursuing a BSBA degree in Supply Chain Management with a minor in Entrepreneurship and is planning to graduate in May of 2024. He has worked throughout college for YSU's Student Union as a member of the setup crew working under the building’s top management. Some of Ball's previous experience includes working for Sir Troy's Toy Kingdom for 4 years and being a management intern for the same company during the summer of 2022. He plans to become certified in ERP and Data Analytics to be suited for a supply chain management position after graduation. Ball was matched with Dover Chemical.
Lugina Bassil, Youngstown State University
Bassil is a junior pursuing her BSBA degree in International Business and a minor in Spanish. Bassil is involved in the WCBA Student Leadership Council, Alpha Lambda Delta and Spanish Club. She also works at a global fashion and design company known as H&M and is the marketing manager for her father’s restaurant Sauceeino. Ever since Bassil graduated high school, she has been passionate about the international business field and will graduate in Spring of 2024. Bassil was matched with Columbiana Boiler Company, LLC.
Jack Brant, Youngstown State University
Originally from Poland, Ohio, Brant is a second-year student, pursuing a BS in Business Administration. For the past year, Brant has worked in the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services as a student office assistant. He has also been involved with the Student Investment Fund at Williamson College of Business Administration since he enrolled at the University in 2021. In the future, he hopes to apply his degree to pursue a career in sales, marketing or management. Brant was matched with Kent Displays, Inc.
Anna Buffone, Youngstown State University
Buffone is pursuing her BS in Business Administration degree in International Business. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2024. Buffone has worked all through college and is currently working for Shale Tavern and Grille as a server. She will be gaining international experience through a study trip to Italy where she will be meeting with multiple companies. Buffone also holds a leadership role for the Student Information and Supply Chain Association. Buffone was matched with Safeguard Technology, Inc.
Makenzie Callihan, Youngstown State University
Originally from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, and currently residing in Youngstown, Callihan is a senior majoring in Accounting. Callihan enjoys boxing in her free time. In the future, she plans to go to law school and specialize in corporate law. Callihan was matched with Humtown Products.
Zakria Chandio, Youngstown State University
Chandio is a junior pursuing a BSBA in Finance, CFP Track, with a minor in Economics. Living in Houston, Texas and originally from Pakistan, Chandio has lived in the US for about 4 years. He currently holds a position in the Williamson College of Business Administration as a student assistant in the Dean’s Office. He loves to travel and attend conferences, and recently did an International Project Plan for a sports racing company in Panama City, Florida for an X-culture Business Project, which they won. He is currently involved in the WCBA Student Leadership Council, Presidential Mentors and president of the Pakistan Indian Student Association. In the future, he plans to complete the CFA, attend graduate school, and stay involved in international business and politics. Chandio was matched with Global Recovery Group.
Christian Febinger, Youngstown State University
Febinger is a senior from Niles, Ohio, pursuing a BSBA in Finance Management with a minor in International Business. He is also currently working at the YSU Division of Workforce Education and Innovation as the Finance Assistant. His international experience involved time in Mexico and the Bahamas. In the beginning of May, he is traveling to Italy for a week to study abroad and learn about Italian culture. In the future, he plans to travel more and obtain a good job in the financial field. Febinger was matched with K&M International / Wild Republic.
Nathan Hill, Youngstown State University
Originally from Jamestown, New York, and currently residing in Youngstown, Hill is a sophomore majoring in Accounting. He is involved in the WCBA Student Investment Fund. In the future, he plans to work as a Certified Public Accountant.
Devin Maddox, University of Akron
Maddox is a second-year student at the University of Akron studying supply chain and operations management. He plans to graduate in the spring of 2024. In the past, he has served an internship for a third-party logistics company communicating with carriers to expedite shipments, including those requiring hazmat certifications. This opportunity provided him with experience in working with freight forwarders and international shipping. After graduating, Maddox plans to pursue a career in supply chain management. Maddox was matched with Midwest Transatlantic Lines, Inc.
Matthew May, Youngstown State University
May is a junior pursuing a BSBA in Accounting and expects to graduate in the Spring of 2024. He has worked his entire time through college at various local restaurants. After graduation, May plans to become a Certified Fraud Examiner and pursue further education, with plans to work in International Accounting. May was matched with Molten Metal Equipment Innovations.
Collin Meehan, Youngstown State University
Meehan is from Lake Milton, Ohio, and is pursuing a BS in Business Administration in Accounting. He plans to graduate in the spring of 2024. Working all through college, Meehan currently works at Belleria Pizza in Austintown. He is also an honors student in the Sokolov Honors College at YSU. In the future, Collin plans to build a career in accounting, with the desire to eventually become an international accountant. Meehan was matched with Haltec Corporation.
Alessandra Montanez, Youngstown State University
Montanez is pursuing her BSBA with a major in Business Administration with a certificate in Entrepreneurship. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2024. She has worked all through college and is currently working to expand her pet-sitting business. She gained experience representing YSU as a student moderator for the NCHC Honors Conference in Florida. She plans to pursue International Business after graduation, as well as go into real estate. Montanez was matched with SIMONA Boltaron Inc.
Zackary L. Shumaker, Youngstown State University
Shumaker is pursuing his BA in Economics, along with a minor in Data Analytics. He plans to graduate in the fall of 2023. Shumaker's previous experience includes working for the Mahoning County Purchasing Department as an administrative intern, and as a research assistant working for YSU's Division of Workforce Education and Innovation. Currently, Shumaker plans to build his future career around international trade and regulatory compliance. Shumaker was matched with Butech Bliss.
Manmeet Singh, University of Akron
Singh is originally from Punjab, India, and is currently pursuing his MS in Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management. He received his Master’s in Industrial Materials and Management and Bachelor's of Technology in Mechanical Engineering. He is currently working at The University of Akron’s department of Planning, Strategy, and Insights as a graduate assistant in an analytical position. He is expecting to graduate in the Fall 2023. In the future he plans to work as a Global Supply Chain Analyst. Singh was matched with Mid-Continent Coal and Coke Co.