OMA majors participate in internships in a wide variety of companies, from major corporations to small manufacturers. Some students choose to earn academic credit in conjunction with their internship; others prefer to have only the professional experience. Those who wish to earn academic credit must complete a partnership agreement with the company and a sponsoring faculty member prior to enrolling in the internship course. More information about internships is available from program faculty members.
OMA faculty and students work closely with representatives from industry groups, and students have the opportunity to meet speakers and tour nearby businesses. The College of Business' Center for Student Professional Development sponsors speakers and workshops with operations managers from the local community.
Students in the OMA Program are encouraged to participate in professional organizations. Local chapters encourage students to join in their activities and provide an excellent means for gaining experience. Among organizations with a close relationship to OMA are
- APICS—The Association for Operations Management (www.apics.org)
- ASQ—American Society for Quality (www.asq.org)
- DSI—The Decision Sciences Institute (www.decisionsciences.org)
- INFORMS—The Institute for Management Science (www.informs.org)
- POMS—Production and Operations Management Society (www.poms.org)