Ohio State Lima is in the business of honing and expanding human potential that will impact not only the student, but also the greater community. It takes a team to develop this talent pipeline from both inside and outside the university.
Several parts of that talent pipeline came together with positive results this autumn as the staff and professors who work most closely with students in the new engineering technology program visited local manufacturers that will eventually employ Ohio State graduates.
As they toured several local manufacturers, including the Ford Motor Company Lima Engine Plant, Procter & Gamble and Rudolph Foods, it was clear to them that Ohio State Lima students will fill very different, but equally critical, roles at all of them.
Seeing the vast variety of positions that the new engineering technology will prepare students for ramped up the excitement for recruiters, teachers and advisors alike.
“Meeting the employers at the other end of the pipeline really brought the engineering technology program full circle for me,” said Admissions Recruiter Alyssa Brown. “It was great to see for myself how hungry these employers are for the kind of students that will be graduating out of this new program in the coming years, and to hear them share the excitement we have for investing in both our students and in our local workforce.”
The chance to walk through the facilities and see how students will fit into the process as they move out into the workforce will make it easier for those who advise them on next steps.
“Making the local connection, building that social capital, and sharing the possibilities are powerful tools to enact when assisting our students in preparing for the next phase in their lives,” said LaShonda Gurley, manager of academic advising. “Touring the local manufacturing facilities provides a visual representation of possibilities for our students.”
Most drive by the local manufacturing complexes but have no real idea of what happens inside and the wide variety of skills that are necessary to make them run efficiently. Getting to see some of the inner workings will help Senior Lecturer Tony Shoup as he teaches and speaks with his students.
“It was very good to see the manufacturing environments firsthand. It will allow me to better inform my students of possible local career opportunities,” said Shoup, who teaches students in both engineering and engineering technology. “I will also be able to use the situations we visited in examples when I explain certain concepts that might apply.”
To learn more about the bachelor of science in engineering technology program or apply visit go.osu.edu/BSETLima.