The University of Dayton has partnered with Podium Education to launch the Global Career Accelerator, a credit-bearing, one-semester field experience designed to help undergraduates gain real-world skills and career clarity—no internship required.
Delivered entirely online and open to students of all majors, the Global Career Accelerator gives participants the opportunity to work on hands-on projects for real companies like Intel, L’Oréal, OpenAI, Publicis Sapient, and The GRAMMYs, while earning academic credit and industry-recognized certifications.
“The Global Career Accelerator serves as a critical stepping stone, providing a structured, high-impact environment where students can build confidence before their first traditional internship,” said Dr. Marsha Keune, Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs. “By working on international teams with global companies, our students gain the intercultural fluency and digital agility that employers demand.”
Real-World Experience + Certifications Instead of lectures and exams, students complete collaborative, real-world assignments that simulate the work of early-career professionals. Every student finishes the program with:
- Hands-on experience with global companies
- A portfolio of completed projects
- Verified certifications in areas such as UX/UI design, data visualization, and AI tools
- Digital badges to showcase on LinkedIn and resumes
- A certificate of completion
The program also includes employer-ready soft skills training in communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and intercultural collaboration.
Global Learning Meets Career Preparation
Through a blend of asynchronous content and weekly live sessions—called Global LiveLabs—students work with peers from more than 70 institutions around the world. This includes teams from Harvard, Georgetown, UT Austin, and other leading universities.
Participants also gain access to an exclusive network of career tools and paid opportunities, including a project partnership with Upwork designed to connect students directly with employers seeking early-career talent.
“The UD School of Business Administration is well-known for providing high-impact, hands-on learning on our campus. The Global Career Accelerator allows our students to extend that experience into a digital, intercultural, and client-based environment,” said Dr. Marsha Keune. “Since we require an internship for graduation, this program serves as the perfect stepping stone. It enables students to grow their professional networks and gain real-world evidence of their skills, making them even more competitive candidates in the global talent pool.”
Proven Career Impact
The Global Career Accelerator is already showing powerful outcomes for students nationwide:
- 95% of alumni say it was beneficial to their career
- 84% say it enhanced the value of their degree
- 70% say they felt more competitive for jobs and internships
Enrollment for Summer 2026 is now open!
About Podium Education
Podium Education is the leading experiential learning platform helping universities prepare undergraduates for the future of work. Through its flagship Global Career Accelerator and partnerships with top institutions, Podium delivers scalable, credit-bearing experiences that bridge the college-to-career gap.