Engineering Education Models Co-op and Internship Model Direct Placements with Industry

Engineering Curriculum Constraints Rigid academic structure can make study abroad difficult. UC’s co-op program -- five-year baccalaureate degree. High level of language instruction can be difficult to accommodate.

Co-op or Internship Program Strengths Contacts with “local” industry are already established. Work experience in the US adds value to student qualifications for overseas employers. Professional work interactions are conducive to developing cultural understanding.

Determine your goals and challenges. Deciding on an Appropriate Model -- Is a Co-op or Internship Program for You? If yes, direct placements with industry? Exchange programs? Third-Party Providers? Determine your goals and challenges. Will you require language instruction? If no, English-speaking opportunities. Others willing to accept students without second language proficiency. International programs are demanding, time-consuming and expensive – will your university commit resources? Long-term commitment is necessary

Deciding on an Appropriate Model (cont.) Look at internal structures. Existing co-op or internship program. Expected support from local co-op employers. Strong internal support at highest level. Choose a model that fits within your constraints and utilizes your strengths. If no current co-op or internship program, how will it fit? Will students earn credit? Will jobs be paid or unpaid? Numerous organizations exist for unpaid jobs but most are expensive. Strive for shared program ownership in development stage. Use students to promote later.

Marketing and Recruiting to Employers and University Partners Topics Marketing and Recruiting to Employers and University Partners

Students Employers

Potential Sources of Jobs Local employers. Faculty research colleagues abroad. Student contacts – family, friends, neighbors. Internet and other resources – most companies have on-line application process. Alumni in the US and overseas. Local agencies (chambers of commerce, sister city organizations, etc.) Third party (Cultural Vistas, IAESTE) + many for-profit.

Keys to Employer Recruitment Offer them something of value. language skills = ability to better communicate. previous co-op experience = ability to be more productive. Make logistics easy – have a smooth process for required documents abroad. Identify stakeholders who are “champions”. ICP alums. Managers of a co-op student in the US. Upper level executives. HR contacts are not always the best.

Know Your Employers What are their concerns? Internal policies – “We don’t send students overseas”. Cost. Logistics. Lack of understanding of the “big picture” value. If employers send students overseas for short-term projects, encourage them to commit for a semester. Some employers cannot be convinced.

Partners

UC-Chongqing (UC-CQU) Joint Co-op Institute (JCI) Spearheaded by College of Engineering Dean. Began with ME and EE curriculum at Chongqing. Expanding to other majors. Courses taught 50% UC faculty / 50% CQU faculty. JCI students study abroad senior year at UC. Co-op Opportunities CEAS students co-op in China as TA’s. Companies with operations in the US and China.

WACE* Pilot Work Exchange University of Cincinnati. Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (Heidenheim campus), Germany. FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Austria. Victoria University, Australia. Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. University of Victoria, Canada. Three UC students co-oped in Thailand. *World Association for Cooperative Education.