A wide array of services, programs and contests is available to UW-Madison's engineering students.

Co-op Education/Internship Program

The Co-op/Internship Program makes possible full-time, supervised, paid engineering experiences interspersed with periods of full-time study during undergraduate education. Candidates must interview for opportunities; not all candidates are placed. Participation includes workshops and assistance in resumé writing, interview preparation and "pre-work" concerns; earned income; and one academic credit based on experience and a work report.

The Co-op/Internship Program is a partnership, benefiting both students and employers, says program director John Archambault. Studies show co-op and internship participants have a higher retention rate in engineering programs, and many employers end up hiring the people who initially worked for them as students.

Engineering Career Services

The Engineering Career Services (ECS) office provides engineering students with the opportunity to explore career possibilities and interview with employers from Wisconsin and throughout the world. The program's goal is to match students with employing organizations by providing both with a highly efficient, quality placement program. The recruitment period generally begins in October and concludes in April. Students can get their employment search off to a positive start by attending the college's annual Career Connection. ECS and Polygon Engineering Council Engineering Student Council sponsor this three-day event, which brings representatives from corporate and governmental agencies to the UW-Madison campus. While there, students meet informally with employers, asking questions about career opportunities and passing along resumés. Many of the attendees also schedule interviews for co-op, internship and full-time positions.

Engineering Expo provides myriad opportunities for students to demonstrate scientific principles. (Large image)

International Engineering Studies and Programs

The college's International Engineering Studies and Programs (IESP) office coordinates study-abroad opportunities around the world. The college has exchange agreements with leading engineering schools in Australia, Chile, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Singapore, Spain and Sweden. The IESP office can initiate contact with universities in other countries that offer appropriate transferable courses for students. Special International Engineering Studies and Programs summer study programs are offered in France, Mexico, England and Japan.

Diversity Affairs Office

The college's Diversity Affairs Office (DAO) serves traditionally underrepresented students in science and engineering. Its objectives are to provide academic, financial and administrative support, and to develop programs designed to assist undergraduate and graduate students in achieving their goals. The main focus of DAO is African-American, Asian-American, Latino/a-American, Native American and women students enrolled in the college.

With funds from a General Electric Co. grant, DAO is working to increase the recruitment, retention and graduation rates of traditionally underrepresented students.

Schoofs Prize for Creativity

The Schoofs Prize for Creativity is the college's annual contest for undergraduate inventors. Cash prizes are awarded to the undergraduates whose ideas are judged to be the most creative, novel, innovative, patentable and likely to succeed in the marketplace. As part of the college's annual celebration of Thomas Edison's birthday, the Schoofs Prize offers a $10,000 first prize, $7,000 for second, $4,000 for third and $1,000 for fourth. The competition is sponsored by chemical

engineering alumnus Richard J. Schoofs.

Technical Communication Certificate Program (TCC)

Employers value engineers with enhanced communication skills. The 24-credit TCC program allows you to develop both technical expertise (nine credits) and communication skills in writing and speaking (15 credits). With early planning, the TCC requirements can be combined with engineering studies, requiring a student to take few, if any, extra credits.

Steuber Prize for Excellence in Writing

Since 1992, the annual Steuber Prize for Excellence in Writing has honored sophomore, junior and senior writers in the college. Competition participants may write on any topic they choose and in any style. The top prize is $10,000.

American Institute of Chemical Engineers

UW-Madison's chapter of the national organization AIChE facilitates communication among chemical engineering undergraduates, the department and industry. This award-winning group also recruits industrial representatives to speak at its meetings, organizes plant tours and plans social events. Subjects of its meetings include talks by chemical engineers in the biotech industry, entrepreneurial career paths, job opportunities for international students, resumé writing and interview skills. The group has visited the plants of General Mills, Frito-Lay and S.C. Johnson Wax. It has also launched a new scholarship program based on academic excellence and community involvement. Additionally, AIChE has teamed up with Greater University Tutoring Service (GUTS) to provide "drop-in" tutoring for chemical engineering, chemistry, math and physics courses.

Other activities include expanded efforts to increase freshman membership, and working with the pre-engineering dean to facilitate advising sessions for potential chemical engineering students. AIChE is open to students at all levels.

Engineering EXPO

This biennial event gives the public a unique opportunity to learn about engineering. Thousands of visitors view and and participate in displays by commercial businesses, leading industrial companies, and both graduate and undergraduate students. Engineering EXPO is an effective learning experience for engineering students, one that is readily recognized and highly regarded by future employers. Students can contribute a few hours each semester or several hours a week—from working on a student exhibit to planning publicity, meeting with industry representatives, helping with graphic arts, or simply directing visitors to displays.

Additional organizations available to chemical engineering students at UW-Madison include:

• Alpha Chi Sigma—professional society for students in chemical engineering, chemistry and other related studies.

• American Indian Science and Engineering Society

• Cooperative Education Association

• Team Paradigm—designs and builds vehicles

• Phi Eta Sigma—all-campus society for students with high first-year GPAs

• Polygon Engineering Council—represents all student societies in the college; acts as liaison between administration and students

• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

• Society of Plastics Engineers

• Society of Women Engineers

• Tau Beta Pi—honor society for all fields of engineering

• Theta Tau—professional and social organization for all engineering fields

• National Society of Black Engineers-WI Black Engineering Student Society

• Wisconsin Society of Professional Engineers

The University of Wisconsin-Madison campus also offers several recreation facilities, and there are many opportunities available for students to engage in sports, music and the arts.

Copyright 2007 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System Date last modified: 08-Oct-2007 Date created: 16-Aug-1999 Content by: che@che.wisc.edu Accessibility Web services Thank you for visiting http://www.engr.wisc.edu/che/current/opportunities.html