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Professional Practice Programs

The Office of Professional Practice provides professional development and enhancement programs which include workshops, seminars and career development activities to prepare students for internships and co-operative educational (co-op) experiences. Its preparation programs for internships and co-ops are known as the Professional Practice Program.

The Professional Practice Program services the following majors:
Business Majors

Engineering Majors Computer Science Majors

Our Mission Statement
The mission of the Office of Professional Practice is to facilitate the extension of the learning environment through educational relationships with business, industrial and organizational stakeholders providing internships and cooperative educational experiences primarily for business students from the Williamson College of Business Administration (WCBA) and the Rayen College of Engineering & Technology (RCET).

Program Description
The Professional Practice Program offers students opportunities to apply their formal classroom education to hands-on work experiences through internship and cooperative education (co-op) experiences for students to participate in based on their major course areas. They are "academically focused, career-related work experiences" that enable students to apply the knowledge and skills they are acquiring in the classroom to an actual work setting.

The Program provides opportunities to develop new skills, refine career goals and gain valuable experiences. Through internship and co-op education, students can earn academic credit toward their degrees and, in most cases, be paid for their work. Ultimately, the Program enhances student career preparation and makes them more marketable after graduation.

All internship and cooperative education programs must be approved by the Faculty Advisor and the Office of Professional Practice PRIOR to beginning the program. In order for students to receive academic credit, they must meet with a Faculty Advisor from their department during the term, attend at least three Professional Practice workshops, keep a journal of their experiences, work and log in at least the required number of hours during the academic semester, and fulfill their department's specific requirements which usually include a research and/or term paper.

The Professional Practice Program is also designed to assist organizations in finding students who might want to work for them in the future. It is a win-win partnership that allows both students and organizations to "try each other out." This Program offers full- and part-time internships and co-ops.

Internship Experiences
An Internship is a project-specific learning experience that usually lasts for one academic term. Internships are generally paid work experiences and are taken for academic credit. Students can take multiple internships. However, only one internship in their major will be eligible for credit. Subsequent internships are credited as lower level electives.

Students can work full-time or part-time in an internship while attending classes. They may also opt not to attend classes on a full-time or part-time basis during the internship semester.

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Experiences
A co-op is a paid, structured developmental experience with increasing responsibilities that lasts at least two semesters (and may continue for a total credit up to three or four academic terms based on the major). Prior approval is required for each semester. Students should progress in positions and responsibilities as they continue in the co-op program. There are three widely accepted forms of cooperative education:

 

 

PPOD
Professional Practice has a web-based online database system powered by eCampusRecruiter.  It is called PPOD -- which are acronyms for Professional Practice Online Database.  Although it uses the same software program as YSU's Career & Counseling Services, it has a different database and requires online account activation by business majors.

PPOD is primarily designed to assist WCBA students in their research for field experiences, internships, and co-ops.  It may also list part-time, full-time, temporary and professional employment positions submitted by employers.  Most importantly, PPOD is used to list positions and coordinate schedules for Interview Day.

Activating Your PPOD Account: WCBA student can activate their PPOD accounts online at: www.ysu.edu/ppod

Logging into PPOD: For USERNAME, use your Banner ID number, i.e. Y00111111. Your PASSWORD is penguin (all lowercase).  If you previously registered in PPOD and changed your password, you will use the password that you selected.

If you are NOT in PPOD: If you are a first-year student, a transfer student, or are NOT in either the WCBA or STEM, chances are that you will NOT have a PPOD account. You will need to self-register. You will then recieve a verification email. Please follow the instructions in that email to complete your registration.

Complete Your Online Registration: To complete your online registration, you will need to fill out two registration sections:  Your Personal Information and Your Academic Information.  After completion, click the Save Changes and Continue button.

Develop a Resume: Next, click on the PPOD Document Library to the the PPOD Resume Template and Checklist.  Use this Template, Checklist, and The Resume and Career Search Tool Kit booklet to draft your resume.  Your can read this booklet online or pick up a copy in the Office of Professional Practice.  You MUST have completed a resume draft in this table framat and used the Resume Checklist before attending the workshop!  NOTE:If you have a resume approved by Gwen Clark, you will  need to attend a Reusme Writing Workshop.

 

PPOD is also designed to assist employers who are interested in hiring YSU interns with certain academic business education and interests.  Employers can list their position openings, internships and co-ops for business students to apply.

The Professional Practice Program helps business students with opportunities to work for public accounting firms; state, local and the federal government; public relations agencies; Fortune 500 corporations; marketing firms; brokerage firms; banks; investment groups; insurance groups; manufacturing companies; nonprofit organizations and retail establishments.  For more information, contact the Office of Professional Practice, room 408, in the WCBA at (330) 941-3660.

 

Catalog Minimum GPA Prerequisite Major # of Completed Semester hours Academic Credit Hours Received On-Site Hours Required
Field Experience Accounting 2600 2.5 None Accounting 20 1 150
Accounting 4840 2.75 12hrs/Accounting Accounting 63 3 225
Business 4840 Nonprofit Leadership 2.5 BUS 4840 Open 20 3 300
Economics 4870 2.5 None Accounting 63 3 225
Finance 2600
Field Experience 2.5 None Finance 20 1 150
Finance 4850 2.75 8hrs/Finance Finance 60 3 225
Management 2600
Field Experience 2.5 None Management 20 1 150
Management 4895 2.5 12hrs/Management Management 63 3 225
Marketing 1520 2 None Open 12 3 225
Marketing 2600
Field Experience 2.5 None Marketing 20 1 150
Marketing 4850 2.5 Marketing 3703 Marketing 63 3 225

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Gwenn Clark, Professional Practice Coordinator
Office of Professional Practice, Williamson College of Business Administration
P: 330-941-1405 | gvclark@ysu.edu

Student Organizations

American Humanics Student Association
This student group is part of the certificate program of American Humanics at Youngstown State University. The student group is open to any student who is seeking a baccalaureate degree. The purpose of the student group is to provide professional experiences in nonprofit leadership while fulfilling competencies of the American Humanics Certificate Program. This organization gives students the opportunity to demonstrate a positive attitude, initiative, honesty and integrity. The ability to be an effective team member and effective leadership skills are also developed. This organization helps to identify one’s own personal and professional development needs, exhibit responsible behavior, plan, conduct, and evaluate fund-raising activities, utilize effective techniques for problem-solving, and exhibit effective decision-making. Members of the organization will be expected to raise funds and attend the national American Humanics Management Institute that is held in early January each year. Members will also be expected to plan and execute retreats for new member orientation and goal setting for the year. For more information, contact Dr. Jane Reid at (330) 941-1870 or jmreid@ysu.edu.

Meetings for Spring 2007 are held every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. in the Centers for Excellence Conference Room (second floor of Williamson Hall).  The meetings are held in conjunction with the one-hour community service class (BUS3740).  Interested students are urged to contact Dr. Jane Reid before attending a meeting.

 

American Marketing Association Collegiate Chapter
Through AMA membership, students will be part of a dynamic, committed organization in the area of marketing. The Collegiate Chapter of the AMA will be strengthened as each member gains experience, information, and exposure to the marketing community at large. For more information, contact Dr. Peter Reday at (330) 941-3078 or pareday@ysu.edu.

 

Association of Information Technology Professionals
YSU’s AITP organization is a student chapter of the Professional Association of Information Technology Professionals. The purposes of this student chapter shall be to foster among students a better understanding of the vital business role of information technology, and the proper relationship of information technology to management. It also helps them to acknowledge the necessity for a professional attitude among information technology professionals in their approach to an understanding and application of the principles underlying the science of information technology. For more information, contact Dr. Jack Harpool at (330) 941-2013 or jdharpool@ysu.edu.

 

Advertising Club
Alpha Delta Sigma
The ADS Club is a National Professional Advertising Society for any major, with a concentration in business, professional writing or graphic design. It is affiliated with the American Advertising Federation. The purpose of ADS Club is to provide students with an opportunity to associate with advertising professionals. Members are able to tour local advertising agencies, host professional speakers and do fund raisers to offset the cost of programs. During spring semester, a special class is offered where students design an integrated marketing communication campaign to compete in the national competition of the American Advertising Federation. For more information on the ADS Club, contact Dr. Bart Kittle at (330) 941-1882 or bkittle@ysu.edu.

 

Beta Alpha Psi
Accounting, Finance & Information Systems
Beta Alpha Psi is a national honorary fraternity. As the premier professional business and financial information fraternity, Beta Alpha Psi recognizes academic excellence and complements members’ formal education by providing interaction among students, faculty and professionals, and fosters lifelong growth, service and ethical conduct. Membership is open to all accounting, finance and information systems majors who have completed one upper level course, have a 3.0 GPA in their major, and have a 3.0 overall GPA. Members must attend regular weekly meetings, participate in community service and serve on committees. The organization strives to expose students to all aspects of the professions via speakers, technical meetings, visits to firms and companies, an annual awards banquet, attendance at national and regional conferences, and other related functions. For more information contact Dr. Raymond Shaffer at (330) 941-3196 or rjshaffer@ysu.edu.

Meetings fro Spring 2007 are held in the Cafaro Suite on the 5th floor of Williamson Hall. These meetings are every Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. and usually last one hour.

 

Beta Gamma Sigma
Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in an undergraduate, masters or doctoral program at a school accredited by AACSB, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Becoming a Beta Gamma Sigma is an honor indicative of commitment, high academic achievement, and leadership. To be eligible for membership, students must be registered in business administration programs and be candidates for the baccalaureate or MBA degree. They must be in the upper 7 percent of the junior class, the upper 10 percent of the senior class or the upper 20 percent of the graduating master’s class. For more information, contact Dr. William Vendemia at (330) 941-1785 or wgvendemia@ysu.edu and Dr. Greg Claypool at (330) 941-1877 or gaclaypool@ysu.edu.

 

Institute of Management Accountants
The Institute of Management Accountants is the world's largest association of management accountants and financial managers with approximately 67,000 members and more than 200 chapters across the U.S. and abroad.  IMA members range from accountants to financial managers just beginning their careers, to those in middle management, to chief financial managers and chief executive officers of major corporations.  Membership includes Certified Management Accountants, Certified Public Accountants, educators, students, and individuals involved with local, state, and federal government.  The Institute of Management Accountants Student Chapter (IMASC) at YSU is a voluntary organization of IMA student members affiliated with the Akron Chapter of the IMA.  For more information, contact Dr. David Stout at (330) 941-3509 or destout@ysu.edu.

 

Society For Human Resource Management
Sigma Pi Alpha
Sigma Pi Alpha is the YSU student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and as such, is a professionally oriented organization. It is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, who have an ongoing interest in Human Resource Management. It provides leadership opportunities and interaction with HRM practitioners locally as well as nationally. For more information, contact Dr. Thomas Rakestraw at (330) 941-3219 ortlrakestraw@ysu.edu.

 

Student Leadership Council
All business majors in the WCBA are invited to apply for the Student Leadership Council at the beginning of the each semester. Broad representation from all majors is desired. The Council will meet monthly with Dr. Betty Jo Licata, Dean of the WCBA to discuss issues of mutual interest. Student Leadership Council members are expected to provide input on behalf of WCBA students, serve as “ambassadors” of the WCBA at special events; help communicate the goals and activities; student recruitment; guest speakers; and provide input to the faculty and staff of the WCBA regarding student’s needs and interests. Students will be selected on an application basis considering GPA (minimum of 2.25), extra-curricular activities, and the desire to contribute to the WCBA. For more information, contact the Dean’s Office at (330) 941-3064 or Christine Shelton at cgshelton@ysu.edu.

 

Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE)

SIFE is an organization that engages university students in making a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders. SIFE students form teams to develop a variety of outreach projects to equip others with knowledge and skills to achieve greater economic success. SIFE’s five educational philosophies include: market economics, success skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business ethics. SIFE students present the results of their projects at regional and national competitions. Recently, SIFE members assisted with financial literacy sessions at Business 2020, held a fund raising drive for Some Place Safe Women’s Shelter, and also placed first in the Duel in the Keystone State Financial Literacy Case Competition. For more information, contact Dr. William Vendemia at (330) 941-1785 or wgvendemia@ysu.edu.