Innovative Virtual Internship Program
Offered by Cardinal Health

The Cardinal Health Virtual Internship Program at the College of Business that opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony last fall provides an opportunity for interns who worked at Cardinal Health over the summer to continue their relationship with the company by using the Internet.

The Program is supplied with five well-equipped computers that are linked to Cardinal Health's main headquarters in Dublin, Ohio. The interns will be paid for their 10-15 hours of work a week, while they continue carrying a full course load.

Tom Gessels, Program Director for the Ohio University program at Cardinal Health and an Ohio University graduate, is looking forward to the opportunities that this program will provide to College of Business students, "This program is a continuation of the relationship between Ohio University and Cardinal Health," said Gessels.

The CIO of Cardinal Health Kathy White, who set up similar programs in two other schools in Alabama, is looking forward to expansion of the program with the College of Business. According to White, "This is an innovative program that exemplifies a partnership with Ohio University and Cardinal Health. It gives us a great opportunity to work with talented students while they are enrolled in the university. It enriches the student's experiences, blending theory and practical work."

The Program focuses on Cardinal Health's IT or MIS operations, where CoB interns worked over the summer, One intern, Janice Lineberger said, "Interning with Cardinal Health as an on-site and virtual intern has been an invaluable experience. I am able to work with professionals on a daily basis, to further my education, and to enhance my future career."

Officials at Cardinal Health have been very impressed by the work of the interns and consider it a great resource to have Ohio University a part of their team. In the future they hope to expand the program to include students in sales, finance and other aspects of the College of Business. College of Business Dean Glenn Corlett said this was a very significant program for the College. "Cardinal has been a consistent resource and we value the commitment they have made to keep the program going. We are grateful for this mutual relationship," said Corlett. "Cardinal has taken the lead. Now we have to build a bridge to see if other companies can make these opportunities available to other students."


While still in Athens, CoB interns work on their Cardinal Health projects through computers linked to Cardinal Health's main headquarters in Dublin, Ohio.