Internships & Co-ops for UI ECE students - Overview Internships & Co-ops for UI ECE students - Overview What is a Internship/Co-op? What is a Internship/Co-op? Why do a Internship/Co-op? Why do a Internship/Co-op? Where have our UI ECE students had internships. Where have our UI ECE students had internships. What should I do? What should I do? Important points. Important points.

Internships & Co-ops for UI ECE students - Overview Can I get UI credits for it doing an internship/co-op? Can I get UI credits for it doing an internship/co-op? Acme Electronics doesn’t recruit at UI. What can I do? Acme Electronics doesn’t recruit at UI. What can I do? Start your search ASAP! Start your search ASAP! Questions? Questions?

What is an Internship/Co- op? Co-opCo-op A ‘traditional’ system where a student would alternate periods of work and school for the duration of the students undergraduate program. A typical program would include alternating 6 months of work and 6 months of school.A ‘traditional’ system where a student would alternate periods of work and school for the duration of the students undergraduate program. A typical program would include alternating 6 months of work and 6 months of school.

What is an Internship/Co- op? InternshipInternship A student works for a company for one or two periods.A student works for a company for one or two periods. A typical period is a summer.A typical period is a summer. Most of our students do internships.Most of our students do internships.

Why do a Internship/Co-op? Experience Experience Can lead to future employment with the company providing the internship. Can lead to future employment with the company providing the internship. Can help you come to terms with what you’d would like to do or not like to do in your career. Can help you come to terms with what you’d would like to do or not like to do in your career. It looks good when applying for full time employment after graduation. It looks good when applying for full time employment after graduation. $ for school $ for school

Where have our UI ECE students had internships? Micron (Boise) Micron (Boise) Boeing (Seattle) Boeing (Seattle) AMI Semiconductor (Pocatello) AMI Semiconductor (Pocatello) Schweitzer Engineering Labs (SEL) in Pullman Schweitzer Engineering Labs (SEL) in Pullman Potlach Corp. (Lewiston) Potlach Corp. (Lewiston)

Where have our UI ECE students had internships? Power Engineers (Haley, close to Sun Valley) Power Engineers (Haley, close to Sun Valley) Agilent (Spokane) Agilent (Spokane) INEEL INEEL AMD (Austin, Texas) AMD (Austin, Texas) Numerous small companies in the Northwest Numerous small companies in the Northwest

Where have our UI ECE students had internships? Right here at UI!Right here at UI! In the form of an undergraduate research assistantIn the form of an undergraduate research assistant Other universitiesOther universities NASA programsNASA programs

What should I do? Begin by “registering” at the UI Cooperative Education OfficeBegin by “registering” at the UI Cooperative Education Office Idaho Commons, Room 330Idaho Commons, Room 330

What should I do? The UI Cooperative Education OfficeThe UI Cooperative Education Office A “liaison” between students & employersA “liaison” between students & employers Many workshops offeredMany workshops offered Provides search strategiesProvides search strategies Review the “Resource Library” and “Useful Links” info provided at the web site in the students section.Review the “Resource Library” and “Useful Links” info provided at the web site in the students section. Resume critiquingResume critiquing

What should I do? Start your search!Start your search! Postings at UI Cooperative Education OfficePostings at UI Cooperative Education Office MonsterTRAKMonsterTRAK Join the distribution listJoin the distribution list Postings around the UI ECE departmentPostings around the UI ECE department Career fairs at UI and WSUCareer fairs at UI and WSU ProfessorsProfessors

Important points Polish your ResumePolish your Resume Take advantage of the Cooperative Education Office resume critiquing serviceTake advantage of the Cooperative Education Office resume critiquing service Polish your Cover letterPolish your Cover letter Take advantage of the Cooperative Education Office cover letter critiquing serviceTake advantage of the Cooperative Education Office cover letter critiquing service

Important points ReferencesReferences FacultyFaculty Former employersFormer employers

Important points Grades Grades Electrical engineering fundamental knowledge Electrical engineering fundamental knowledge Work ethic Work ethic Integrity Integrity

Can I get UI credits for it doing an internship/co-op? In principle - yes In principle - yes In practice - no In practice - no Enroll in ECE 398 Enroll in ECE 398

Acme Electronics doesn’t recruit at UI. What can I do? If you want to work for a company that doesn’t recruit on campus…..If you want to work for a company that doesn’t recruit on campus….. Be aggressive….contact the company on your own.Be aggressive….contact the company on your own. Sending a resume& cover letter may be the first step, but phone calls or person contact is a more powerful way to sell your self in this situation.Sending a resume& cover letter may be the first step, but phone calls or person contact is a more powerful way to sell your self in this situation. This strategy has worked in situations where a company has not ever previously hired an intern.This strategy has worked in situations where a company has not ever previously hired an intern.

Start your search ASAP! The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll land a position.The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll land a position. Do not get discouraged if something doesn’t happen the first year or two.Do not get discouraged if something doesn’t happen the first year or two. Going through the process is good practice for the “real” thing after graduation.Going through the process is good practice for the “real” thing after graduation. You’ll gain an understanding of the process & what employers are looking for.You’ll gain an understanding of the process & what employers are looking for. Job hunting can be a bit of an “art” and you have to develop skill in this area.Job hunting can be a bit of an “art” and you have to develop skill in this area.

Questions?