Youngstown Program Bridges Gap Between STEM Students and Local Industry

Since 2021, the program has paired students with portfolio companies at the Youngstown Business Incubator (YBI), including firms like JuggerBot 3D, Tailored Alloys, and Bearing Distributors Inc. For participants, the fellowship serves as a bridge between classroom theory and the demands of high-growth environments. Ty Barzak, the program’s inaugural fellow, leveraged his experience at JuggerBot 3D to secure a full-time position as an additive manufacturing operations lead at Ursa Major.

Corporate partners describe the pipeline as a vital resource for recruitment. Amiel Bernal of Tailored Alloys noted that the program allows firms to cultivate industry-ready employees from a pool of students who previously lacked specialized experience. With four fellows already transitioning into full-time permanent roles, YBI leadership views the model as a successful blueprint for regional economic development. As Ohio seeks to maintain its status in national business rankings, the fellowship remains a key component of the state's strategy to retain skilled STEM graduates within the local workforce.