Scholarship Benefits

The financial support from the Recreation Boating Industries Educational Foundation combined with a close affiliation with Michigan Boating Industries Association offers students a unique opportunity to prepare for careers in recreational boating. The Recreation Marine Research Center at Michigan State university is also actively engaged (research and technical assistance) with other boating industry associations and organizations including National Marine Manufacturers Association, Marina Industries Association, Marine Trade Council, West Marine and National Marine Bankers Association. The combination of these associations provide students with additional opportunities to gain a broad understanding of the marina industries nationwide.
  Benefits to the Students

     1. Financial support that can total $8,000 per year including scholarships, paid      internships and student employment.
     2. A relatively small program with specialized advising and counseling.
     3. The opportunity to participate in two paid internships that provide practical      experience and a unique exposure to the industry.
     4. A focused academic program that can be further tailored to the student's special      interests and career aspirations.
     5. Many occasions to meet and interact with leaders in the recreational boating      industry, and practical exposure and involvement in research being conducted        
         for the boating industry.

  Benefits to the Industry

Michigan's recreational boating industry recognizes that the future success depends on its ability to recruit and retain employees with the knowledge and skills to adapt to changes in market preferences and expectations, product and service lines, regulation and competition within and from outside the industry. While there are many opportunities to ˇ°grow boatingˇ±, the challenge will have to be met by a new generation of professionals with more sophisticated skill set (e.g., computers, communication technologies and diversity awareness) than their predecessors.

The industry benefits from the Scholarship Program are:
 1. Creation of more positive awareness of the diversity of career opportunities in
      boating.
 2. The opportunity to recruit educated young college persons with boating
      related backgrounds and an interest in boating careers.
 3. Entry of new persons to the industry, boating businesses and organizations       that have different perspectives and new skills.