As an electrical engineering major at OU, Aadeesh Dhiman, SECS ’24, primed his career possibilities through student leadership, career fairs and catering communication skills to employers. Fueled by industry connections and ignited confidence, Aadeesh landed three internships in the automotive industry and expanded his network, blazing the way for his next chapter as a test script engineer at General Motors.
The OU Pledge
The OU Pledge: Go Beyond the Books
Internships and other opportunities for experience-based learning contribute to our students' future success.
At Oakland University, “career readiness” isn’t a catchphrase; it’s a concept that’s woven into your OU student experience via the Strategic Vision 2030’s Student Success pathway. One year ago, Oakland University launched The OU Pledge — our commitment to provide undergraduate students with opportunities for meaningful, hands-on learning through internships, service learning, research and/or community engagement opportunities. You’ll augment your academic knowledge with experience-based learning that fuels your ability to make substantive professional contributions. From day one at OU, you’ll be empowered to take risks, believe in yourself and contribute to the community as an innovator, creative or caregiver.
Through easy-to-access resources, customized support and mentorship from your advisers, faculty and the Career and Life Design Center, you’ll shine as you shape your future on our inclusive, close-knit campus that pulsates with possibility. You’ll take advantage of our extensive community connections and local partnerships — including businesses, schools and hospitals — that are eager to work with OU students. With sharpened skills and newfound expertise backed by real-world experience, you’ll step confidently into your career, distinguishing yourself in a competitive job market while contributing to, and drawing on, OU’s strength as a regional economic power.
Start your search for an experience-based learning opportunity, including:
- Internships
- Cooperative education programs (co-ops)
- Service learning
- Field experiences
- Clinical preceptorship rotations
- Research
- Study abroad at OU
Watch how Aliyah Vue, a management information systems major, worked with the OU School of Business Administration's Career and Life Design team to secure a data analyst co-op position with DTE.
Transcript
My grandpa always encouraged my family to pursue education and taught us that learning was a key to building a better life. My parents carry that forward, and I'm taking the foundation they build and turning it into something bigger. My name is Aliyah Vue, and I'm designing my future. When I arrived at OU, I was serious about my career. I knew it wasn't enough to just attend class. So I used the resources around me to prepare myself for what's next. This drive led me to the Career and Life Design team in the business school, where I discovered The OU Pledge. The OU Pledge gives undergrad students the chance to learn through hands-on experiences. I discovered an entire world at OU that I might never have found on my own. I made friends and connections to mentors in my field and learned about job opportunities outside of OU. Those experiences not only pushed me to my fullest potential, but also helped me figure out my career path. When I was nervous for my job interview with DTE, the Career and Life Design Team had my back and offered interview and resume prep, which helped me to calm my nerves and gave me the confidence I needed, and I got it. Now I'm getting real world experience while going to school. My advice to students is to take advantage of the Career and Life Design Center and its opportunities. Back when I first arrived at OU, I never would have imagined it would lead to a job at DTE, but it did. Never doubt yourself. You can do anything you set your mind to.
Internships
Co-ops
Aliyah Vue stokes her love for technology and affinity for business as a management information systems major at OU. At DTE-OU Day, she landed a job as a data analyst co-op after coaches from the Career and Life Design Center’s School of Business Administration team helped calm her pre-interview nerves. Now, she’s refining her technical skill set at DTE while contributing meaningfully to real-life projects and confidently voicing her own ideas.
Service Learning
Motivated by the OU Comebacker Grant to return to college post-Covid, Michael Dotson-Branch found tailored support and focused career planning as a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) major. Through The OU Pledge and the BIS 3000 service-learning course, Michael volunteered with Make Food Not Waste to combine his curriculum and hands-on community work to solve problems and spark his passion to give back.
