Conference Session

CEED Paper Session 1: Using Co-Op and Internships to Improve Diversity, Retention, Learning, and Assessment

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Scott R. Hamilton, Northeastern University; Jack Fitzmaurice, Northeastern University; Paul John Wolff III, Northeastern University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Cooperative & Experiential Education

Drexel University, employers evaluatecandidates on 4 critical skill categories. First is academic skill, mostly reading, writing and mathat a level commensurate for the job. Second is occupational skills; those skills necessary forsuccess in a certain job. Third is workplace skills, these are usually referred to as soft skills. LiveCareer.com has compiled a list of the top 10 skills in demand in today’s global economy, notablymany are what are considered soft skills that are not often included as a focus in university-levelcoursework. Soft skills include communication skills, interpersonal skills, adaptability, andemotional intelligence. [7] Companies are increasingly focused on these skills as they look to hirethese new employees and not have

Conference Session

CEED Paper Session 1: Using Co-Op and Internships to Improve Diversity, Retention, Learning, and Assessment

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Timothy J. Garrison, York College of Pennsylvania; Wayne Blanding, York College of Pennsylvania

Tagged Divisions

Cooperative & Experiential Education

resulted in industry projects for classes,financial support for the various programs, consulting opportunities for faculty, the establishmentof a strong, vested industrial advisory council, support for guest speakers, adjunct faculty, etc.Another powerful benefit of a co-op program is that it can serve as a valuable tool for outcomesassessment. With the implementation of outcomes assessment in engineering initiated by theABET 2000 criteria, engineering programs have worked to develop effective methods foroutcomes assessment. Some of the outcomes have proven to be challenging to assess within anacademic setting, especially those that focus more on soft skills such as professionalism, ethics,lifelong learning, and teamwork.6 Since the implementation

Conference Session

CEED Paper Session 1: Using Co-Op and Internships to Improve Diversity, Retention, Learning, and Assessment

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Katelyn Elizabeth Gunderson, Rochester Institute of Technology; Margaret B. Bailey P.E., Rochester Institute of Technology ; Joseph A. Raelin, Northeastern University; Jamie Ladge; Robert Garrick, Rochester Institute of Technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Cooperative & Experiential Education

hired engineers interviewed strongly believed that theircooperative education (co-op) experience had helped prepare them for full-time employment.Additionally, all strongly conceded that these experiences specifically helped ease the transitionfrom student to professional. Although three out of five agreed that their college coursesprovided them with technical skills they could use in the engineering field, only two felt asthough they had adequately developed the soft skills in college that they needed for full-timeemployment. Notably, all mentioned that their co-ops provided opportunities to meet and workwith active role model(s) which aided in the development of self-confidence.All five of the engineering students graduating within the next

Conference Session

CEED Paper Session 2: Leveraging Internships and Experiential Learning in Higher Education

Collection

2016 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lisa Massi, University of Central Florida; Jenna Christie-Tabron, University of Central Florida; Michael Georgiopoulos, University of Central Florida; Mari Pina, University of Central Florida; Richard Allan Quinn, University of Central Florida; Jackie Herold, University of Central Florida; Kim A. Small, University of Central Florida

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Cooperative & Experiential Education

Associate Editor of the Neural Networks journal from 2006 to 2012. He has served as the Technical Co-Chair of the IJCNN 2011.Ms. Mari Pina, University of Central Florida Mari Pina is the Director of Employer Partnerships and Internship Placements for the CAMP-YES In- ternship Program and IT Certifications Program. She is responsible for tracking student and employer communication, recruitment and placement along with tracking the progress of the student’s experiences YES Internship Program. Ms. Pina is a doctoral candidate and her research interests include engineering student soft-skills gap and self-efficacy as relevant employability skills.Mr. Richard Allan Quinn, University of Central Florida Richard Quinn, CBC