Southeast Missouri State University students can earn college credit while developing professional skills through projects connected to companies such as Intel, Shopify and L'Oréal, thanks to a new partnership with Podium Education.
The partnership brings the SEMO Career Accelerator to the University, giving students opportunities to explore career fields, work with peers from other universities and build portfolios demonstrating their skills. The program launched this fall through SEMO's College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
"We want students to have as many opportunities as possible to apply what they're learning and explore their career interests," said Dr. Eric Bain-Selbo, dean of SEMO's College of Humanities and Social Sciences. "This gives them another way to gain practical experience, work with students from other universities and develop skills they can take into their careers."
Through the Career Accelerator, students select a professional track and complete projects designed around real-world business challenges. The program offers areas of study including digital marketing, data analytics, coding for data, career rotation and building with artificial intelligence.
Depending on their selected track, students can gain experience developing an online store using Shopify, analyzing data to inform business decisions or creating websites and applications using AI tools. Students also explore how organizations approach marketing, technology and other business needs.
The experience is offered virtually, combining weekly live online sessions with independent coursework and collaborative projects. Students work alongside peers from colleges and universities across the country, gaining experience with teamwork and communication in a professional setting.
Students can earn course credits, along with industry certifications and portfolio projects to demonstrate their skills to prospective employers. The program also provides career coaching and networking opportunities.
Bain-Selbo said the program is aligned with SEMO’s focus on strengthening workforce relevance so students explore how their skills apply to different industries.
"Students develop valuable skills through their academic programs, but they don't always recognize how those skills translate into different careers," Bain-Selbo said. "This experience helps them make those connections while gaining practical experience in fields they may not have considered before."
Registration is open for the spring 2027 Career Accelerator, scheduled for Jan. 19 through May 14. Students from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences interested in participating are encouraged to speak with their academic advisors about how the course could fit into their degree plans.
To learn more about the program, explore available career tracks or register, visit careeraccelerator.semo.edu.