By Kyle Patrick Smith, CEO of HRKyle Services

Long before I founded HRKyle Services, I was committed to supporting internships and early career professionals. Why? Because when students succeed, employers succeed — and when employers succeed, the entire State of Ohio thrives.

That’s why I’m honored to serve on the Board of the Cleveland State University Choose Ohio First Program. This initiative is more than a scholarship program. It’s a statewide strategy to strengthen Ohio’s future by investing in students, building career pathways, and ensuring our best talent stays here in Ohio to fuel economic growth.

What is the Choose Ohio First Program?

The Choose Ohio First (COF) Scholarship is a state-funded program designed to increase Ohio’s competitiveness in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) fields. Through scholarships, mentoring, and hands-on learning opportunities, COF connects students to the resources and experiences they need to thrive.

Since its launch in 2008, the program has:

• Awarded scholarships to tens of thousands of exceptional students across Ohio.
• Increased participation in STEMM fields, especially among first-generation and underrepresented students.
• Created thousands of internship and co-op opportunities in partnership with Ohio businesses.
• Proven itself as one of the most effective talent retention strategies in the state.

How Choose Ohio First Strengthens Students

COF students are not average college students — they are some of the most talented, motivated, and hardworking young people in the state. They excel academically, but more importantly, they gain real-world skills through internships, co-ops, and mentoring.

By the time they graduate, these students aren’t just degree-holders. They are career-ready professionals with a track record of applying their knowledge in real settings. They bring fresh ideas, technical expertise, and the confidence to contribute from day one.

How Choose Ohio First Strengthens Employers

Employers who connect with COF students gain a clear advantage. These students represent a highly prepared talent pool that is ready to contribute to Ohio’s most critical industries, including healthcare, technology, advanced manufacturing, and more.

For employers, this means:

• Reduced hiring risk — candidates have already proven themselves through internships and co-ops.
• Faster onboarding — COF graduates bring practical experience, not just theory.
• Fresh innovation — students trained in cutting-edge fields help companies stay competitive.
• Stronger pipelines — ongoing partnerships with universities ensure a steady flow of skilled workers.

Employers aren’t just hiring graduates; they’re tapping into a pipeline of exceptional young professionals who have been intentionally prepared to meet Ohio’s workforce needs.

How Choose Ohio First Strengthens Ohio

The impact of COF goes far beyond individual students and employers. It strengthens the state itself by:

• Keeping talent in Ohio — reducing “brain drain” by giving students opportunities to succeed here at home.
• Fueling economic growth — businesses thrive when they have reliable access to top talent.
• Building resilient communities — when students stay, work, and contribute locally, entire communities benefit.
• Positioning Ohio as a leader — in STEMM education, innovation, and workforce readiness.

Every student supported through COF is not just a success story — they’re part of a larger movement to make Ohio stronger, smarter, and more competitive.

Why I’m Proud to Be Involved

At HRKyle Services, my work has always been about helping people and organizations succeed in the world of work. Serving on the Choose Ohio First board allows me to extend that mission to a statewide effort, ensuring that Ohio’s future is built on the strengths of its people.

I love that this program benefits students directly, while also creating real value for employers and strengthening Ohio’s long-term success. Supporting these exceptional early career professionals isn’t just good for them — it’s good for all of us.

Call to Action: Employers, This is Your Opportunity

Ohio’s future depends on employers like you. By engaging with programs like Choose Ohio First, you gain direct access to some of the state’s most exceptional young professionals — students who are ready to contribute, innovate, and grow with your organization.

If you’re an employer, let’s talk about how you can tap into this pipeline of talent. Together, we can connect you with career-ready students, build stronger internship pathways, and help you secure the workforce your business needs to thrive.

And to students already in the Choose Ohio First program at your college or university — we want to connect with you, too. At HRKyle Services, we’re here to further support your career goals and help you make the most of the opportunities in front of you.

Reach out to HRKyle Services today, and let’s work together to build Ohio’s workforce, strengthen your business, and ensure our state’s brightest talent stays right here at home. Call 330-541-5533 or visit HRKyle.com today.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are my own and are not official statements of Cleveland State University or the Choose Ohio First Program. My role on the board is advisory in nature, and any references to the program are for informational purposes only. For official information about Choose Ohio First, please visit the Ohio Department of Higher Education or your college or university’s program office.