“I will soon be starting my full-time career with Procter & Gamble in Chicago. I was selected for the summer intern program with P&G.  The interview process was intense. Out of about 650 initial applicants, 20 were selected from top schools such as Harvard, Carnegie, Yale, Duke, OSU, WSU, and other universities. I will be a Customer Business Development Specialist, working with hotels, food services, and other commercial industries, representing their Pro Line products.”    

Internships:   In addition to my summer internship with P&G, I completed an internship as an international trade assistant for the International Trade Assistance Center for the region’s Ohio Small Business Development Center.  I applied my international business coursework in marketing, import/export strategies and international finance and accounting.  I had a chance to work with businesses ranging from medical devices, hunting supplies and consumer goods.  Proving myself in my initial internship definitely helped me in the P&G selection process.

Most valuable experience:  Even though I was working as a manger at Home Depot and going to college full time, I decided to get some of my foreign language credits through a study abroad in Spain.   The quarter I spent there, not only improved my Spanish skills, it demonstrated to employers that I was adaptable to different cultures and ways of doing business.

Why WSU?   Wright State offered the right combination of affordability and quality.  Once I started here, the faculty and staff were both supportive and challenging – pushing me to do my best.  

Tips for success: 

• Don’t give up.  I applied for seven different internships on the P&G website and didn’t even get a phone interview.   On the eighth try, I was selected and begin the interview process that led to my full time job.
• You make an impression on employers and business leaders that help not only you but also your fellow students.  At the end of my summer internship with P&G, the manager of the P&G program wanted to know how to recruit other Wright State business students – and she did just that by posting P&G opportunities on Wright Search.
• Make sure you are prepared for your job interview.  Do your research, practice and put yourself in the company’s shoes.   Why would they want to hire you? 

Listen to Career Tips from Derick Whitt – Gaining a position with Procter & Gamble

“I was in an applied two-year program and hadn’t really considered a bachelor’s degree until one of my professors at Sinclair inspired me to reach beyond my current goals. When I learned how much more I could earn and how much more secure my job would be with a bachelor’s degree, I realized that my professor was right. With the encouragement of my academic advisor at the Raj Soin College of Business, I supported myself through school and will graduate with a major in international business and a 3.5 GPA. I'm now employed with a multi-national firm here in the Dayton region." 

Why Wright State? Because I was living and working on my own, I had to find the most affordable and best quality business program around. I met with Charles Long, my business advisor, and knew that Wright State offered both the best value and a quality AACSB-accredited program. Plus, the very supportive faculty and staff helped me even before I formally transferred to the College of Business.  

Leadership: I am involved in several clubs on campus, including the International Business Club, serving as Treasurer for the club; President of the Ski and Snowboard  Club and Treasurer of the Sports Council. Snowboarding and sports are my passions. So it was easy to develop my leadership skills and financial experience while helping other students discover all the great activities available on campus . 

Most Valuable Experience: It’s hard to pick just one. Definitely all the club outings, like ski trips to Colorado or visiting the Global Markets Division at the Ohio Department of Development helped me make friends and consider options after graduation. I also interviewed and landed a student coordinator position for a continuing education program offered by the College of Business. This position was perfect because I could work right on campus while improving my organizational and event planning skills. Plus, I met HR directors and other professionals from all over the region who were taking the PHR/SPRH preparation class I coordinated. 

Internships/Class projects: All international business majors are required to complete an internship for academic credit as part of their graduation requirements. That’s definitely one of the key advantages of the IB program at Wright State. I completed my internship with Seepex, Inc., a German-owned company, located here in the Dayton area. I was able to work with the Germany-based marketing staff and international sales force on several marketing, sales and website projects. The portfolio of projects I completed and the evaluation I received from the CEO of Seepex definitely will help me in my job search. 

Career Plans: After graduation, I’m headed to California with the goal of working for an international marketing firm. One of my professors has put me in touch with a former colleague who has some contacts at Patagonia, the international sports clothing company, and I have a couple of other interviews lined up as well. 

Tips for Success:

• Think big and bigger. Because I had to support myself through college, I thought I could only afford an associate’s degree. My professors at Sinclair and Wright State encouraged me to go for my bachelors’ degree and gave me the confidence and support I needed to achieve my goal.  
• Meet with a College of Business advisor – even before you transfer. By meeting with my College of Business advisor, I was confident that the classes I was taking at Sinclair would transfer and that I was not wasting any time or money in completing my bachelor’s degree. 
• Push yourself to manage your time. I worked more than one job, but still took time to get involved on campus and have some fun too.