OHIO PROCUREMENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Ohio Procurement Internship Program (OPIP)
Eligible companies apply to participate, identifying their contracting goals and the type of assistance they need.
After training and applications are complete, the program will review both groups and match students with eligible companies for a 13-week internship (12 paid weeks & 1 optional unpaid vacation week). Each placement is designed to strengthen internal contracting capacity, support compliance efforts, and help identify real government contracting opportunities.
For Students
After training and applications are complete, APEX reviews both groups and matches students with companies for a 13-week summer internship (12 paid weeks & 1 optional unpaid vacation week). Each placement is designed to strengthen internal contracting capacity, support compliance efforts, and help identify real government contracting opportunities.
For Companies
Benefits
Program Success
OPIP has earned national recognition for its impact, receiving two major honors at the 2024 National APEX Accelerator Conference. The program was awarded the Outstanding Project Award, recognizing it as one of the top initiatives among APEX organizations nationwide. It also earned the People’s Choice Award, voted on by nearly 700 attendees. These awards reflect OPIP’s growing reputation and the measurable results achieved by participating students and businesses.
Real Results Reported by Participating Companies
%
Companies say they would re-engage OPIP
Government Contracting
Employment Opportunities
Value Proposition
%
Achieved more Government Contracts
%
Expanded their government contracting network
%
Offered additional employment to their intern
%
Say interns contributed to business
%
Say interns were prepared for work
Company
- An Ohio small business
- Ohio APEX Accelerator client
- Government contracting or commercial sales experience with an interest in government contracting
- Operating for at least one year
- More than one employee (excluding the owner)
- Ability to pay an intern at least $19/hour, 40 hours/week
- Interns must be hired as W-2 employees of the company
- Eligible companies may receive up to $5,000 in wage reimbursement from the Ohio Department of Development upon successful completion of the program.
Student
- Graduate or undergraduate student
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Completion of a 16-week (3 credit hours) procurement course in the spring
- Availability for a paid, full-time, 3-credit hour, 13-week summer internship
(12 paid weeks & 1 optional unpaid vacation week) -
Must be a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior (graduating the December after the internship or later) to apply
-
Applications open late August until early September
Interested in OPIP?
Frequently Asked Questions
Company FAQs
What kind of work can an OPIP intern support?
What is the cost to participate in OPIP as a company?
Participating companies are responsible for paying interns at least $19 per hour for 40 hours per week during the 12 paid weeks of the internship. The Ohio Department of Development reimburses eligible companies up to $5,000 at the end of the program, helping offset overall internship costs.
Can I have an OPIP intern in the fall or spring?
No. The OPIP internship is only supported during the summer. However, should you wish to continue a full or part-time relationship with your OPIP intern beyond the parameters of the summer program, that is not only possible but encouraged. The nature of that engagement would be solely between you and the student. You need no authorization from either APEX or the Ohio Department of Development for engagement beyond the summer internship.
Student FAQs
Do I need prior government contracting experience to apply?
No. Prior government contracting experience is not required. Students gain foundational knowledge by completing a semester-long government procurement course before the internship. The program is designed to introduce students to procurement, compliance, and public-sector sales in a structured, hands-on environment.
Is the OPIP internship paid and full-time?
Yes. OPIP internships are paid, full-time summer positions lasting 13 weeks total: 12 paid weeks plus 1 optional unpaid vacation week. Interns work 40 hours per week with an Ohio small business, gaining real-world experience in government procurement while building professional skills that are highly valued across public and private sectors. The current hourly rate is $19/hour.
Does the program accept freshmen?
Yes. This is the only internship at YSU that will consider freshmen during the application and interview process.
Do I have to take the internship for credit?
Yes. As per YSU’s rules, the summer internship can only be taken as a 3-credit hour “course”. You will be charged the same as you would for any other 3-credit hour course.When considered with the required, spring “Fundamentals of Government Contracting” course, you will earn a total of 6-credit hours from the program.
Can I just take the spring course and not do the internship?
Yes. Every year, we have a number of students who just want to take the “Fundamentals of Government Contracting” course as a means of bolstering their experience, resume, and employability. They are often seniors who will graduate in May and don’t want to do an internship post-graduation.
PARTNERS
Ohio APEX Accelerator at YSU
Youngstown, OH 44555
330.941.2146
ohioapex@ysu.edu
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