Experiencial Education

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Experiencial Education

The Department of Chemical Engineering offers students an opportunity to integrate classroom instruction with practical work experience. The program gives students the opportunity to verify academic and vocational interests, gain valuable experience in the chosen field prior to graduation, and earn income that can be used to defray college expenses. While there is no formal requirement to participate in a co-op or internship program within the chemical engineering degree program the department strongly encourages participation.

Internships and Co-op work experience must be related to the academic major or career field interest. The work experience is conducted under approved industrial, business, institutional or governmental agency supervision. Co-op/Intern positions are expected to enhance the student's education. Positions not acceptable for co-op or internship are blue-collar work, technician, data entry, clerical, part-time, etc.

• To provide chemical engineering students meaningful industrial work experience every summer between each academic year
• To provide industry with qualified engineering interns that can contribute to their technical operations
• To provide employers the opportunity to develop loyalty and access to future employees before graduation
• To provide students the important and rewarding opportunity to gain valuable engineering job experience
• To complement student academic studies and classroom learning experience with on-the-job training

The Department encourages and assists students in gaining valuable work experience through a summer internship program.

Eligibility

All students applying for participation in the cooperative education program or internship must have completed their freshman year (first 30 semester hours) and be approved by the student's academic department prior to registration. In addition, it is required that the student have a minimum grade point average of 2.00. Keep in mind that many employers want a grade point average of 3.00 or higher.

Opportunities

Opportunities are listed by the Career Services Center as well as posted on the department bulletin boards and announced at AIChE student chapter meetings. Interested students can often find positions from personal research by contacting companies directly.

Under the co-op and internship programs, many engineering students are able to pay much of their school expenses with money saved while on their work assignments. Also, the acquired career-related work experience proves especially valuable when entering the job market, and often results in a position with the co-op or internship company.