Asee peer logo

A Summer Engineering Internship Program Offered at a Liberal Arts University

Download Paper |

Conference

2024 ASEE PSW Conference

Location

Las Vegas, Nevada

Publication Date

April 18, 2024

Start Date

April 18, 2024

End Date

April 20, 2024

Page Count

3

DOI

10.18260/1-2--46018

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/46018

Download Count

32

Paper Authors

biography

Liya Grace Ni Biola University

visit author page

Dr. Grace Ni is a Professor of Engineering and the Program Chair of Physics and Engineering in the School of Science, Technology and Health at Biola University. She has over seventeen years of teaching experience in undergraduate engineering education, mainly in electrical and computer engineering. Her research interests include mechatronics, control system, robotics, and engineering education. Dr. Ni is a senior member of IEEE and a member of ASEE.

visit author page

biography

Elaine Wong Biola University

visit author page

Dr. Elaine Wong is an Assistant Professor of Engineering in the Physics and Engineering Department at Biola University. She has over ten years of experience in undergraduate engineering education, mainly in engineering ethics, scientific writing and general engineering/ civil and environmental engineering. Her research interests include on-site water treatment systems for developing countries, water defluoridation systems, and engineering education. Dr. Wong is a member of Engineers Without Borders, AEESP and IWA.

visit author page

Download Paper |

Abstract

Note: We intend to prepare a presentation only (no full paper). Abstract (250 words): Engineering programs that are in traditionally liberal art schools have to overcome unique challenges to bolster their curriculum and be competitive in the world of higher education. Before the launch of a BS-Engineering program at Biola University, there was no engineering design or project based curriculum in the previously existing majors. Therefore, engineering faculty decided to offer a Summer Engineering Internship (SEI) program to give lower-division students a more hands-on engineering internship-like experience that would be enriching and relevant for students’ future careers. During SEI, students get to practice the whole engineering design process from client interviews, design, prototyping, and presenting their final product to a variety of audiences. Students get trained in hard skills like Arduino programming, Fusion360, and 3D printing, as well as soft skills like writing resumes, giving presentations, SCRUM, etc. After three years of offering SEI, we conducted an anonymous survey to collect data and assess the effectiveness and impact of this program. Students were asked to compare their technical skills and soft skills before and after their participation in SEI, rate the different activities/components of SEI, and provide feedback. They were also asked to evaluate their confidence in going to an internship interview and if they actually landed an external internship after SEI. The survey results are promising. Most students responded with a change from little exposure to improved or competent in many skills and a boost of confidence in applying for internships. Among the 2021 and 2022 participants, 64% of respondents found external internships.

Ni, L. G., & Wong, E. (2024, April), A Summer Engineering Internship Program Offered at a Liberal Arts University Paper presented at 2024 ASEE PSW Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada. 10.18260/1-2--46018

ASEE holds the copyright on this document. It may be read by the public free of charge. Authors may archive their work on personal websites or in institutional repositories with the following citation: © 2024 American Society for Engineering Education. Other scholars may excerpt or quote from these materials with the same citation. When excerpting or quoting from Conference Proceedings, authors should, in addition to noting the ASEE copyright, list all the original authors and their institutions and name the host city of the conference. - Last updated April 1, 2015