Gaining ExperienceEveryone has probably heard about the Catch-22 predicament that students face when they graduate: a college degree is needed but so is experience. So, how do you win in that situation? Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering has figured out how to help students get an education and experience by offering students the Cooperative Education Program, internships, and undergraduate research. Cooperative EducationPitt engineering students have an extraordinary opportunity to use their classroom background in a real-world setting by participating in the Cooperative Education Program. By alternating terms of work and school, co-op provides students with meaningful, challenging work assignments with both national and international companies and agencies. The average starting salary for first-time co-op students is $2,300 per month. Pitt students also earn academic credit for their co-op experience. Beginning in either the sophomore or junior year, co-op students complete three to four work rotations, usually with the same company. About half of our graduates complete the co-op program. They typically graduate in December of their fifth year with at least one year of valuable experience to their credit. InternshipsInternships are an additional option for engineering students who desire practical work experience. While the typical internship takes place during the summer months, some students obtain a part-time internship during the school year. Undergraduate ResearchStill another way to receive relevant experience is through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). UROP allows engineering undergraduates to participate in cutting-edge research projects with our faculty. Recent undergraduate research projects have involved work with artificial organs, biomechanics, computer simulations, human factors, and protein polymers. Navigate
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Benedum Hall
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