Turning classroom knowledge into career experience: YSU student gains real-world insight at Rockwell Automation

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

At Youngstown State University, hands-on learning encourages students to move beyond theory and apply knowledge in real-world environments. Through research, student organizations and internship opportunities, Penguins gain experience that prepares them for professional success.

For Henry Paschke, a computer science major graduating in spring 2027, that learning model shaped the path to his internship as an AI automation intern at Rockwell Automation in Mayfield Heights. There, he contributed to software development projects and strengthened both his technical and collaborative skills.

Paschke entered the internship with a strong foundation thanks to undergraduate research with Alina Lazar, professor in Computer Science and Information Systems. Along with another YSU student, he spent time at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California working on artificial intelligence applications — an experience that helped guide his academic direction and became a key talking point in his internship interviews.

He also pointed to the YSU Computer Club as a meaningful part of his preparation. Through the club’s hackathon program, Paschke worked on a project involving AI-supported educational tools, giving him direct experience solving real problems under time constraints. The experience eventually helped him secure first place in the competition.

“That project was something I could really talk about,” Paschke said. “It showed that I could build something, iterate and move quickly — and that I was genuinely interested in the field.”

During his internship, Paschke worked with engineers across multiple teams, learning how projects move through a corporate environment and how communication shapes successful outcomes. Coordinating meetings, sharing updates and clarifying expectations became as important as the coding itself.

“It was a valuable opportunity to get used to how corporate workflows operate and how people collaborate,” he said. “Those communication skills are going to matter just as much as technical knowledge in the long run.”

The internship also helped Paschke evaluate what he wants in a workplace. The supportive and collaborative culture at Rockwell stood out to him and will influence the kinds of roles he seeks moving forward.

“One of the biggest things I took away was how important it is to work somewhere that values people,” he said. “That environment made a huge difference.”

Paschke encourages other YSU students to actively pursue opportunities, even before they feel completely prepared.

“Some of the most impactful experiences are just a conversation or an email away,” he said. “If there’s something you’re interested in, ask about it. Apply. Get involved. That’s where growth happens.”

His journey reflects YSU’s commitment to mentorship, exploration and experiential learning — empowering students to build not just knowledge, but confidence and direction for their careers.