The college decision involves more than choosing a major and a campus. It's an investment in a future career, and at Kent State University, that future takes shape long before graduation day through internship opportunities that transform students into working professionals.
Christopher DeDonato discovered this firsthand during his summer 2025 internship at Center Street Technologies. The aerospace engineering major didn't just fetch coffee or shadow professionals — he dove into real projects, discovering what the College of Aeronautics and Engineering calls "the power of industry connections." These aren't hollow networking events; they're genuine relationships that open doors to careers students hadn't even imagined.
The proof extends far beyond a single success story. When fashion designer Christian Siriano visited Kent State's School of Fashion, he didn't mince words: "Kent State interns are always amazing." Coming from a Project Runway winner and industry titan, that endorsement carries weight. It reflects the reality that Kent State has been building for decades — a reputation among employers that its students arrive ready to contribute, not just to learn.
Cecelia "Cece" Kirk, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, graduated in 2024 from the School of Fashion after a chance conversation with the New York head of Scabal, a luxury menswear and textile company based in Belgium, turned into an extraordinary opportunity for first an internship with the company, and then full-time employment with Scabal in New York.
Consider the breadth of opportunities available to Kent State students: Live Nation Entertainment, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tesla, ESPN and NASA. These aren't aspirational fantasies listed in a brochure; these are actual organizations where Kent State students have interned and, frequently, found permanent employment.
Patrick Baker, a native of Greenfield, Pennsylvania, was an Applied Engineering Technology Management undergraduate who accepted an internship with Tesla, and parlayed that experience into participation in the SpaceX Starship Program at Cape Canaveral. After completing his master's degree at Kent State, he was hired as a control systems engineer at Tesla, a position he secured through the network he built as a student.
The university's partnership with the Pittsburgh Penguins exemplifies how these connections create unique opportunities for Golden Flashes. Students don't just watch professional sports from the stands — they work behind the scenes in marketing, operations and business development, gaining insights that textbooks simply cannot provide.
Kent State's internship ecosystem spans every discipline. Fashion students work with designers whose shoes and garments have graced red carpets worldwide, including Hall of Fame inductee, shoe design icon Donald J. Pliner. Social work students in the Bachelor of Social Work program — which graduated its first cohort in spring 2025 — complete field placements in underserved communities, addressing critical gaps in services while building professional credentials. Insurance studies faculty member Diaunte Morrow, who received the 2025 Emerging Leader Award at the National Alliance for Insurance Education, mentors students into a field that many don't realize offers excellent career prospects and stability.
Lincoln Murray, also a student in the College of Aeronautics and Engineering, found hands-on experience at Theiss UAV, a Department of Defense contractor, taking flight — literally — in the unmanned aerial vehicle industry while still a student.
The university's Career Exploration and Development office doesn't wait until senior year to connect students with opportunities. The Fall 2025 Internship and Job Fair brought employers directly to campus, allowing students to explore possibilities early in their academic journey. This proactive approach means students aren't scrambling in their final semester — they're building professional identities throughout their college experience.
What truly distinguishes Kent State's approach is the integration of classroom learning with real-world application. Faculty members don't just teach theory; they maintain active industry relationships. When students intern, they carry the university's reputation with them, and professors remain involved, ensuring the experience enriches their academic program rather than merely adding a line to a resume.
Kent State graduates don't just find jobs — they launch careers at the Cleveland Clinic, Delta Air Lines, Express and the Cleveland Cavaliers. They become company presidents, neuroscientists and entrepreneurs. They win industry awards and recognition while still in their 20s.
The university's commitment extends to making these opportunities accessible across all eight campuses, from Ashtabula to Tuscarawas, ensuring that geography doesn't limit possibilities. Whether a student attends the main campus or a regional location, the same network of industry partners and dedicated career services professionals works to transform their education into employment.
Kent State answers questions about college value with evidence: internships that matter, connections that endure and graduates who thrive. The classroom provides knowledge, but internships provide confidence — the unmistakable confidence of a young professional who has already proven they can succeed in the career they've chosen.
That's not just a promise. It's a track record.