Workforce development

Each year, students from across the University of Delaware converge into interdisciplinary teams to dissect a business problem and offer possible solutions as part of the Spin In program.

The unique program, housed in UD's Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships (OEIP), exposes students to the world of innovation and entrepreneurship, technology development, business development and commercialization, in alignment with the University's pillars around expanding student success and redefining creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship.

"Our goal is to better prepare students for the workforce through real project opportunities, with real companies and real entrepreneurs," said Amalea Rassias, OEIP senior assistant director, who runs Spin In.

"Students gain experience and develop critical workforce skills in understanding and researching the market, who the customers are for a specific product or service - and what they need - and researching ways to achieve technical capabilities or meet other requirements that go into developing a product or solution."

For senior Airym "Rym" Velazquez, participating in Spin In was a way to get outside her comfort zone and expand her view on future career possibilities. As it turned out, it also afforded her the opportunity to correct a misconception learned early in her childhood.

"While I was growing up, there was a strong stigma against retirement communities," said Velazquez, a political science major in public policy and legal studies. Under the guidance of Spin In business mentor Diane Massey and, alongside her peers on the team, Velazquez reshaped this long-held impression with facts and firsthand information from UD alumni.