Talent for Ohio
The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) aims to connect students and employers to help foster tomorrow’s talent.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), work-based learning through (paid) internships creates opportunities for students to use and expand their skills, build their professional network, and internships are “direct pathways to job offers.” Employers use internships as a direct recruiting method to hire for their open positions (NACE).
Whether you are a student attending one of OFIC’s member campuses or an employer seeking to connect with students, OFIC can help!
TalentedU is a student career-readiness experience that aims to equip OFIC member campus students with the skills and competencies they need to boost their career readiness and become even more competitive in seeking internships and full-time jobs. The program consists of eight online modules that students can complete at their own pace or together with a faculty or staff member. These modules are carefully crafted to align with the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) competencies, making them highly relevant and practical for students.
TalentedU
OFIC invites support to:
Grow and update the TalentedU platform under the guidance of OFIC member campus faculty, staff, and students.
Provide students with access to digital badges.
Rising Regional Talent
Internships provide students with invaluable hands-on experiential learning while helping employers develop a robust talent pipeline. Thanks to the generous support of corporate and foundation partners, these programs place students in meaningful roles at regional non-profits, benefiting both the students and the communities they serve.
OFIC partners with donors to:
Fund regionally specific paid internships for students in diverse career pathways.
Build connections between students and employers to meet workforce needs.
Intern Connect
Intern Connect helps you design or enhance internship programs that actually work — connecting you with career-ready students from 32 OFIC member campuses across Ohio. Whether you’re just getting started or scaling up, Intern Connect meets you where you are.
Why partner with OFIC:
Attract and develop high-potential interns who are prepared to contribute.
Save time with ready-to-use internship resources and expert guidance.
Convert top interns into full-time hires with ease.
Showcase your commitment to workforce development in Ohio.
Empowering Students Through Paid Summer Internships
OFIC is proud to partner with generous donors like The Nord Family Foundation and Employers Health to create valuable paid summer internship opportunities for students. Thanks to the Nord Family Foundation's continued support, internships will once again be available at non-profits in Lorain County. Additionally, Employer's Health has generously funded internships at non-profits in their region (supporting Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, and Wayne County). These programs provide hands-on experience, professional growth, and pathways to success for students across Ohio.
Internships
Internship Opportunities
Our robust network of employers can provide you with ample opportunities to connect, learn about and apply for internships that align with your major and workforce pursuits after graduation.
Additionally, OFIC offers and manages several internships. Reach out to learn more, follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn, and we’re on Handshake too.
Employers
OFIC has a variety of services and opportunities to help you connect with students and recruit talent for your organization. We know you want to leverage your talent recruitment budgets, attract and keep talent locally, and we’re with you! Let OFIC help you see a high return on your recruitment investment. Ask us about:
- How to build, grow or enhance an internship program within your company,
- Ways you can give to create more internship opportunities for students,
- Engaging events where you can connect with students in a meaningful way!
Support Career Events & Programming for Students
Career events connect students with industry professionals and inspire career exploration. Successful examples include:
Manufacturing Expo+: An event that links students with leaders in Ohio’s manufacturing industry through in-person and virtual events.
Student Employer Spotlights: Onsite (campus or organization headquarters) events to showcase career opportunities to interested and career-ready students.
OFIC collaborates with funders and sponsors to:
Cover event costs such as venue rentals, speaker fees, and travel expenses.
Create engaging, high-impact programs for students.
To stay ahead of workforce trends, career services leaders across our member campuses rely on ongoing professional development. That’s why we’ve launched Insider Innovations—a new series of in-person professional development events for our member-campus career services professionals.
Become an Insider Innovations Sponsor
Align your brand with thought leadership in career development.
Reach higher ed professionals shaping the future workforce.
Demonstrate your commitment to innovation, education, and talent development.
Sponsorship puts your organization front and center as we explore the latest trends and strategies for preparing students for success in today’s evolving job market.
Position Your Brand at the Center of Career Innovation
Happenings
Upcoming events
event recaps
previous events
Meet Melanie
As the Director of Talent Connections, Melanie Garrabrant is here to help take your career-readiness journey to the next level. Whether you're an OFIC member campus student seeking valuable experiences or an Ohio employer looking to connect with top talent, Melanie can guide you every step of the way!
