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UMass Engineering Experiential Learning

Go beyond the curriculum!

Apply your knowledge and conceptual understanding of engineering to real-world problems. Build confidence in the profession, yourself, and your dreams. Become even more decided and invested in the future you are working toward!

Taking advantage of an experiential learning opportunity increases problem-solving, organizational and interpersonal skills, builds confidence, and encourages creative innovation. It is also an invaluable addition to your resume.

There are many opportunities to engage in experiential learning in the UMass College of Engineering including:

 

For more information about these experiential programs, click on the links above or visit the Engineering Career Development and Experiential Learning Center in 112-114 Marston Hall.

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Internships & Co-ops

Engineering-related experiences within the actual workplace. The Engineering Career Center provides a job board with a list of internship and co-op opportunities and sends out a weekly email announcing new postings. They also help with resume and cover letter writing and interview tips.

  • Internships usually occur during the summer and are paid experiences.
  • Co-ops are longer workplace experiences that take place during the academic semester. In a co-op, a student will take off school for the semester to work full-time.

 

Community Service Learning

 

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate research opportunities can be paid or unpaid, depending upon grant funding. Opportunities include:

 

Entrepreneurial Experiences

Download our UMass Engineering Entrepreneurial Resources GuideMeet our Engineering Entrepreneur-In-Residence, Eric Crawley, who will host meet-ups in the Engineering Career Development and Experiential Learning Center. Chat with Eric if you are interested launching a product or if you envision yourself working in a start-up environment and want to learn more. Visit the calendar posted by Marston 114 for details.

Each spring, a New Ventures course is taught for students in engineering and the sciences. It’s a practical class—not a theory or “book” class—that creates an entrepreneurial experience for you with all of the pressures and demands of the real world in an early stage startup. The course is designed to give you the experience of how to work as a team and turn an idea into a company. Contact the instructor for more information.

The College of Engineering is also a campus partner in the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship, which provides resources in support of new venture creation and growth, both on campus and beyond. Programs include the Innovation Challenge, Berthiaume Student Innovators, and Social Entrepreneurship Conferences.

Download our UMass Engineering Entrepreneurial Resources Guide

 

Study Abroad

Study abroad is possible for engineering students, but it requires planning ahead. Through study abroad, you can pursue your academic interests, experience life in a different culture, and gain valued skills which future employers are looking for. Currently there are 6 target institutions (Glasgow, Limerick, Manchester, Swansea (UK), Adelaide (AUS), and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HK), which we have established strong engineering education partnerships with. The place to start your exploration is the Engineering Office of Student Affairs, Marston 126. Schedule an appointment with an IPO advisor here More details on the application process and the post-acceptance process can be found at the International Programs Office .

 

Student Clubs & Societies

Many student clubs and societies in the College of Engineering provide opportunities for hands-on projects, leadership, and other professional and practical engagements. Examples include:

Visit the Engineering Diversity Programs Office, Marston 128 to learn about the numerous honors and professional student engineering societies which fall under the umbrella of our Joint Student Engineering Societies.

 

Mentorship

The Connect for Success Mentoring Network is designed to connect engineering students with peer students, alumni in graduate school and in industry.

In addition, the College provides more informal mentoring opportunities, such as lunches and/or coffee amongst small groups of students through our Ambassadors program, which seeks to help first year students have resources to ease the transition to college without the commitment of a more formal mentor-mentee relationship. For more information, visit the Diversity Programs Office in Marston Hall Room 128.

 

K-12 & Community Outreach

Students and faculty in the College of Engineering oversee many activities designed to interest and engage the next generation of engineering undergrads. Both paid and volunteer positions are available.  For more information, visit the Diversity Programs Office in Marston Hall Room 128.

Examples include:

 

Books & Articles

 

Organizations

 

Places & Events

 

Departments

Experiential Achiever

Ashley Kaiser, a junior undergraduate student from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, has packed a lot of varied accomplishment into her years as a major in the Chemical Engineering Department. She’s a member of the Commonwealth Honors College with a cumulative GPA of 3.97 and has made the Dean’s List from 2013 through 2015. In addition, she’s a member of the UMass student chapters of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Tau Beta Pi, and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

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