Digital Innovation Centers powered by the Armstrong Institute of Interactive Media Studies
Since 2010, the Armstrong Institute for Interactive Media Studies (AIMS) has been sending cohorts of students to San Francisco to engage in an incredibly unique and rewarding experience: the San Francisco Digital Innovation Center. In 2014, the Ohio Means Internships and Co-Ops Grant provided a grant to launch the Cincinnati Digital Innovation Center.
The Innovation Centers go far beyond a typical internship experience. Students intern at some of the most dynamic and fastest growing startups in the world four days a week. One day each week, they get behind-the-scenes tours and once in a lifetime one-on-one coaching from top executives from startups, accelerators and venture funding. Additionally, students attend networking opportunities and help support the thriving startup culture in the cities they are placed.
"The (San Francisco) program connects you to all the right people. It gives you a platform. You’re living in the city, working 4 days a week, and on the fifth day being exposed to some of Miami’s greatest alumni in the Bay Area: thought leaders, CEOs of big companies. The exposure gained before graduating from college was absolutely invaluable."
"This program will always as an experience I can always refer to. 
"Everyone I've met through the Cincinnati Digital Innovation program reiterates the importance of showcasing experience and utilizing your personal network. My original post-graduate plans have been funneled into a passion driven career path that was reinforced by a job offer during one of my networking meet ups!"
"Being a part of the San Francisco Digital Innovation Program was by far one of the best decisions I made in my college career. Calling San Francisco an extraordinary city is an understatement, and having the flexibility to intern, network, and shadow at elite companies is invaluable. The part of the program I enjoyed the most is the fact that it's incredibly authentic - you live like a San Franciscan, you work for a company that fits your objectives, and you 100% own your schedule."
"The Cincinnati program helped me to gain an in depth understanding of the advertising industry that I wouldn't have been able to experience in any class lecture, group project, or exam. In addition, visiting different companies every Friday and networking throughout the semester exposed me to a series of career paths that I would not have considered prior to participating in this program."
"It seems that Miami funnels us students that are already hardwired with certain foundational principles that we may not see in other students. Miami students come ready to learn, they are passionate about what they are doing, they honor that and who they are, to be a good person, to be honest, to work hard, and to be grateful, that’s why we chomp at the bit to grab Miami students."
"Our Miami University intern has kept me on my toes, more so than some of our teammates have. He finishes tasks very quickly, he’s always reaching back out: "What’s next? what do you need from me?" He's been an incredible asset to the company...This kid, he’s a genius."
"I have two of the most amazing interns from Miami University. Not only were they very proficient coming in to the atmosphere, they were also not hesitant to jump in. The students have been great in letting me allow them to flourish; if I gave them a project or goal, they are able to not only hit that goal but exceed in all expectations. Our team is truly fortunate to have our interns that we have, I don’t want to ever let them go!"
"Our Miami intern is really getting in there on the ground floor and making recommendations, which I take directly to the CEO and he sees them and gives feedback—in any other company an intern would not get that type of exposure. He is working really hard and doing great work for us; we couldn’t be happier to have him here!"
