FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The cooperative education program at the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas enrolled a record number of both companies and students for the fall 2005 semester. The number of companies participating catapulted from 18 in the fall 2004 semester to 45 companies this semester. Likewise, the number of students increased from 22 in the fall 2004 semester to 69 students now.

“For engineering students, cooperative education and internships are particularly important because the experience allows students to put in perspective the theories that they learn in the classroom,” said Ashok Saxena, dean of the College of Engineering. “We’re very committed to developing a variety of such service-learning opportunities.”

Cooperative education is a structured method that combines academic education with practical work experience. A “co-op” experience provides academic credit for career work that generally lasts a semester. Proponents mention benefits such as career clarity, enhanced employability, vocational maturity and increased motivation for students. For employers, benefits include more flexibility with their labor force, and a greater ability to recruit qualified employees.

“Approximately 20 percent of College of Engineering students participate in co-op employment,” said Saxena. “We’re very proud of our positive relationships with some of the best, most admired employers throughout the nation. We’re equally excited that students have the opportunity for a co-op experience in smaller, more high-tech and etrepreneurial companies.”

For example, in addition to large companies such as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Tyson Foods and J.B. Hunt, smaller, high-tech firms like Arkansas Power Electronics International employ co-op students as well.

For the first time, the College of Engineering highlighted the professional accomplishments of co-op students at the first Cooperative Education Symposium and Reception, held on Tuesday, October 18.  Thirteen students presented posters of the projects they worked on during their co-op assignments. Employers, including representatives from Eastman Chemical, Microsoft, Raytheon and Whirlpool Corporation, judged the entries and awarded first, second and third place prizes.  Gustavo Canton, a graduate student in industrial engineering who worked at Sam’s Club, received the first place award of $300. Avinash Kashyap, a graduate student in electrical engineering who displayed work from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, received the second place award of $200, while Meredith Bruick, a sophomore in chemical engineering who worked at Domtar Industries, received the third place award of $100.

“The symposium and reception allowed our students to showcase the projects they worked on during their co-op to the many regional employers who attended as well as the freshman and sophomore students who attended,” said Andy Matthews, coordinator of cooperative education in the College of Engineering. “These students had a wonderful opportunity to network with employers.”

Events such as this reception are sponsored by the Professional Development Institute, a UA program designed to help students develop and refine the skills needed to search for jobs or apply for graduate school. The Institute provides opportunities for students to network with employers, improve their professional image as well as their communication and interviewing skills.

“For the Career Development Center to become a competitive advantage for the University of Arkansas, we must strategically develop programs that help students increase self-awareness, expand their intellectual engagement and become bonded to the university,” said Barbara Batson, director of the University Career Development Center. “The Professional Development Institute enables students to distinguish themselves from a large number of job applicants. Based on what employers tell us, it will make a difference.”