CState students joined networking event for summer interns & co-ops

Academics, Co-op, Community, Students

Jun 26, 2024

Reporting & photo provided by Jayne Dressing

Cincinnati State students at the Cincinnati Intern Network Connection kickoff event — CState reps at the CINC kickoff event (from left) Na'jah Lott, Dee Manson, Jayne Martin Dressing (Co-op Coordinator, Humanities & Sciences), Catherine Parker, Nozina Eshkobilova, Brian Hooten (Co-op Coordinator, Business), Megan Barker, Zharia Wheeler, Cade Harvey, and Landon Fairbanks

Eight students from Cincinnati State took part in the Cincinnati Intern Network Connection kickoff event held June 20 at the University of Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Internship Network Connection (CINC) is part of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber‘s focus on college engagement. CINC started in 2013 to highlight social and professional experiences that encourage college interns and co-ops– many of whom are working at companies in Cincinnati only for the summer– to stay after graduation and build a career in Cincinnati.

Co-op Coordinator Jayne Martin Dressing (Humanities & Sciences) said Cincinnati State has been involved with CINC every year since it began.

The 2024 kickoff event featured guest speakers from FC Cincinnati, the Cincinnati USA Chamber, and Cincinnati City Manager Cheryl Long, who told students she hoped they would “consider staying in Cincinnati and experiencing all the city has to offer.”

The CState students represented a variety of degree programs and career interests, including technical programs as well as fields such as marketing, communications, psychology, pre-mortuary science, and arts education.

Megan Barker, an Associate of Arts student who is interning with CState Connect, said, “The kickoff event was really fun. I enjoyed meeting new people, including meeting the other Cincinnati State students who attended.”

Brian Hooten, a Business Division Co-op Coordinator and one of the planners of the CINC activities, said Cincinnati State students can still register for July events at https://cincinnatichamber.com/talent-hub/talent/cinc. Events include:

July 10, 4:30 to 7 p.m., The Guilford Building (421 East 4th St.) – a professional development workshop that will cover topics such as financial wellness, overcoming conflicts, finding a mentor, and expectations vs reality for working professionals
July 17, 5:30-9:30 p.m. – a party in Washington Park with games, music, and snacks, followed by an FC Cincinnati game with special seating for the summer interns

“Anyone participating in a co-op or internship this summer is eligible, and we’d love to see more CState students join us,” Brian said.