Pictured here (left to right) are Dave Cawlfield of Olin, Steve Keenan, Mesa Williams, Dr. Caroline Maher-Boulis, Chanda Hughes, and John McIntosh.
Students within the mathematics department at Lee University will now have an opportunity to take their knowledge beyond the classroom and apply it to real-world situations, thanks to a new partnership established between Lee’s internship program and Olin Corporation.
The partnership allows interns from Lee to participate in Olin’s Business Analysis Group, providing an opportunity to apply their mathematics skills in a non-academic setting.
“We are very pleased with this partnership,” said Caroline Maher-Boulis, director of the internship program.
“Olin invests significantly in the education of young people in our community, and we hope that we can form similar partnerships with other corporations and businesses.”
Mesa Williams and Chanda Hughes are two students currently interning with Olin who are using this experience to help them gain professional skills and an understanding of the corporate work environment before they graduate.
“Interning at Olin this semester has been a great experience,” said Ms. Williams. “It has helped make me a well-rounded mathematician and has increased my interest in 'big data' projects in industry. This is definitely an experience that will influence my future career.”
The internship program for math majors is an integrated learning experience that allows them to apply their classroom knowledge, skills, and ethical considerations to real projects in the corporate world.
The first component of the internship is a one-credit course that provides students with knowledge beyond that offered in traditional math classes, including technical and personal skills that are required in the workplace.
After finishing the course, students enter the second component by participating in a non-academic professional internship with a local, national, or international company. Supervisors within the company guide and evaluate the students throughout the internship. At the end of the semester, students present their findings and recommendations to company officials, growing their confidence and communications skills. Upon successful completion of the internship, students receive two academic credit hours.
The third component of the program is community service. Students are required to visit with middle- and high-school students and share the importance of mathematics, as well as encourage the students to study the subject with future career goals in mind.
According to Ms. Maher-Boulis, math graduates have traditionally sought more academic jobs, such as teaching or doing research. Internships expose students to a myriad of job opportunities, such as data analysts, quality control managers, software design engineers, and aerospace mathematicians, among others.
Lee professors and administrators hope the program not only provides students with opportunities to develop workplace and technical skills that are sought after by industry leaders, but also raises students’ awareness of non-academic career options.
“We are very excited for the opportunity to collaborate with superb industry leaders such as Olin Corporation in providing experiential learning for our students,” said Dr. Sheila Cornea, director of Lee’s Center for Calling & Career. “The integration of advanced science and math curriculum and the practical application of their learning through our partnerships positions Lee University graduates as pacesetters in science and math careers.”
In November 2015, the mathematics division at Lee hosted an Internship Mathematics Program (IMP) luncheon to introduce the program to businesses and schools in the surrounding area. John McIntosh, executive vice president of Olin and president of Chemicals and Ammunition, was eager to partner with the university.
“Olin strives to be an active and responsible citizen of each community we touch,” said Steve Keenan, director of Strategic Analysis. “Olin jumped at this chance to partner with Lee University and couldn’t be happier with the passion, commitment and insights we have seen in these fine Lee students. We hope to expand this program across other Olin departments, as well as other Lee University disciplines of study.”