Developing Globally-Minded Developing Globally-Minded Engineers through Education Engineers through Education

and Experience: An and Experience: An Examination of International Examination of International

Co-op/Internship Program Co-op/Internship Program ModelsModels

A CED PresentationA CED Presentation

ASEE National ConferenceASEE National Conference

June 21, 2006 June 21, 2006

Chicago, ILChicago, IL

PanelistsDebbie Pearson – Assistant Director, Cooperative Education, Georgia Tech

Debbie Gulick – International Practicum Coordinator, Georgia Tech

Gayle Elliott – Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati

Karl Zimmer - Plant Manager, General Cable

Jenny Oliver - Outbound Program Manager, IAESTE United States

The Need for The Need for Work Abroad ProgramsWork Abroad Programs

Benefits

for

Students Industry Schools Profession

Benefits for StudentsBenefits for Students

Prepare for global economyPrepare for global economy Master a foreign languageMaster a foreign language Enhance employability upon graduationEnhance employability upon graduation Gain vital cross-cultural exposureGain vital cross-cultural exposure Improve communication skillsImprove communication skills Grow personally and sociallyGrow personally and socially Expand engineering skills and ability to Expand engineering skills and ability to

practice discipline in other culturespractice discipline in other cultures

Benefits for UniversitiesBenefits for Universities

Gain world-wide visibilityGain world-wide visibility Increase the flow of technology between Increase the flow of technology between

the institution and industrythe institution and industry Foster students’ critical thinking skillsFoster students’ critical thinking skills Offer a value-added education to attract Offer a value-added education to attract

best studentsbest students Meet ABET requirementsMeet ABET requirements

Benefits for IndustryBenefits for Industry

Attract highly-motivated studentsAttract highly-motivated students Establish ties with key universitiesEstablish ties with key universities Gain employees with global perspectiveGain employees with global perspective Gain employees with language skillsGain employees with language skills Develop future leaders for your companyDevelop future leaders for your company

Work Abroad Programs Work Abroad Programs Upgrade Upgrade

Entire Engineering ProfessionEntire Engineering Profession

Flexible, adaptable workforce that can Flexible, adaptable workforce that can respond to other cultures’ methods of respond to other cultures’ methods of analyses and problem-solvinganalyses and problem-solving

Engineers who understand global context Engineers who understand global context of economics/international commerceof economics/international commerce

Engineers who better understand global Engineers who better understand global health, environmental, and security issueshealth, environmental, and security issues

Resulting in . . .

Georgia Institute of Georgia Institute of TechnologyTechnology

Work Abroad ProgramWork Abroad Program

Origins of the Work Abroad Origins of the Work Abroad ProgramProgram

International co-opInternational co-op Office of International Education and the Office of International Education and the

Division of Professional Practice working Division of Professional Practice working togethertogether

Student initiatedStudent initiated Informal work abroad programInformal work abroad program The International PlanThe International Plan

• Part of Georgia Tech’s Quality Enhancement Part of Georgia Tech’s Quality Enhancement Program Program http://http://www.oie.gatech.edu/internationalplanwww.oie.gatech.edu/internationalplan//

• All undergraduates enrolled in the International Plan All undergraduates enrolled in the International Plan must spend at least 6 months abroadmust spend at least 6 months abroad

• Need a formalized Work Abroad Program to create Need a formalized Work Abroad Program to create international work experiencesinternational work experiences

Goals of the Work Abroad Goals of the Work Abroad ProgramProgram

1.1. To give Georgia Tech students a global To give Georgia Tech students a global understanding in their field of study understanding in their field of study through experiential educationthrough experiential education

2.2. To provide quality international and To provide quality international and cross-cultural experiential education cross-cultural experiential education for Georgia Tech studentsfor Georgia Tech students

3.3. To connect international companies To connect international companies and Georgia Tech studentsand Georgia Tech students

4.4. To assist Georgia Tech students in To assist Georgia Tech students in finding satisfaction and success as a finding satisfaction and success as a life-long, globally-minded learnerlife-long, globally-minded learner

DesignDesign

1.1. International co-opInternational co-op

2.2. Single summer, semester, or year-long Single summer, semester, or year-long internship overseas internship overseas

3.3. Domestic internship followed up by an Domestic internship followed up by an international internshipinternational internship

4.4. Study abroad then work abroadStudy abroad then work abroad

Y ear 1 2 3 4 5

Fall Semester

Academic Studies

Academic Studies

Work Term

Study Abroad

Academic Studies

Spring Semester

Academic Studies

Work Term

Academic Studies

International Work Term

Academic Studies

Summer Semester

Optional

Academic Studies

Work Term

International Work Term

Logistics of the ProgramLogistics of the Program

Full-time audit creditFull-time audit credit Visa/work permit assistanceVisa/work permit assistance Health and safety abroad informationHealth and safety abroad information Cultural informationCultural information Pre- and post-assessments Pre- and post-assessments

ChallengesChallenges

1.1. Location of the Work Abroad Program Location of the Work Abroad Program on campus – centralized or on campus – centralized or decentralizeddecentralized

2.2. Continuous marketing and promotion Continuous marketing and promotion of the program to students and facultyof the program to students and faculty

3.3. Work abroad is labor intensive!Work abroad is labor intensive!

4.4. Financial resourcesFinancial resources

5.5. Lack of data Lack of data

SuccessesSuccesses

1.1. Tech has centralized the Work Abroad Tech has centralized the Work Abroad Program in Division of Professional PracticeProgram in Division of Professional Practice

2.2. Tech has set aside money for international Tech has set aside money for international endeavors as Tech sees the importance in endeavors as Tech sees the importance in an international education for studentsan international education for students

3.3. Office of Assessment/Division of Office of Assessment/Division of Professional Practice are working together Professional Practice are working together with the Office of International Education with the Office of International Education for joint assessmentsfor joint assessments

FundingFunding

Quality Enhancement Program (the Quality Enhancement Program (the International Plan is part of Georgia International Plan is part of Georgia Tech’s Quality Enhancement Program). Tech’s Quality Enhancement Program). For the next five years, Georgia Tech For the next five years, Georgia Tech has budgeted over $4 million for the has budgeted over $4 million for the Institute’s International Plan. The Work Institute’s International Plan. The Work Abroad Program receives a portion of Abroad Program receives a portion of this funding to assist in finding this funding to assist in finding international work experiences for international work experiences for students. students.

University of CincinnatiUniversity of CincinnatiInternational Co-op International Co-op

Programs (ICP)Programs (ICP)Gayle G. Elliott, Assistant ProfessorGayle G. Elliott, Assistant Professor

Division of Professional PracticeDivision of Professional Practice

Karl Zimmer, Plant MangerKarl Zimmer, Plant Manger

General Cable, Jackson PlantGeneral Cable, Jackson Plant

International Co-op Program International Co-op Program StructureStructure

UC / ICP - five-year curriculumUC / ICP - five-year curriculum One year of co-op experience in the USOne year of co-op experience in the US German, Japanese, or Spanish language German, Japanese, or Spanish language

and culture preparationand culture preparation Choice of international electivesChoice of international electives Capstone six-month co-op abroadCapstone six-month co-op abroad Additional international opportunities Additional international opportunities

availableavailable

UC Structure of ICP

General Cable OverviewGeneral Cable Overview

Headquartered outside of Cincinnati, OHHeadquartered outside of Cincinnati, OH World leader in manufacture of copper & World leader in manufacture of copper &

aluminum wire and cablealuminum wire and cable $2 billion in sales$2 billion in sales 20+ manufacturing facilities in N. America, 20+ manufacturing facilities in N. America,

Oceania, Europe, and ChinaOceania, Europe, and China 8,000 employees8,000 employees

UC – General Cable PartnershipUC – General Cable Partnership

Top ten employersTop ten employers• 30 students annually 30 students annually

Alternating terms in multiple sitesAlternating terms in multiple sites• Consistent availability of candidates is keyConsistent availability of candidates is key• Students willing to stay for 2+ quartersStudents willing to stay for 2+ quarters

International co-op assignments in International co-op assignments in MexicoMexico• Two ChE’s in 2005Two ChE’s in 2005

Potential international assignments in Potential international assignments in France, Spain and ChinaFrance, Spain and China

Tips for UniversitiesTips for Universities

Create a program to utilize and enhance Create a program to utilize and enhance your strengthsyour strengths

Offer something extra -- make it easy for Offer something extra -- make it easy for employers to choose youemployers to choose you• Expats are no longer the “norm” in Expats are no longer the “norm” in

business; take care of the administrative business; take care of the administrative side for employersside for employers

Keep your alumni involvedKeep your alumni involved

Tips for EmployersTips for Employers

Why not send students overseas?Why not send students overseas? While students are overseas, supervisors While students are overseas, supervisors

and colleagues help by taking time to and colleagues help by taking time to speak their language with American speak their language with American studentsstudents

Assess abilities and give students as much Assess abilities and give students as much responsibility as they can handleresponsibility as they can handle

Don’t get pigeon-holed by students course Don’t get pigeon-holed by students course of studyof study

Why Do It (University)Why Do It (University)

Cost is less than full-time employees (with Cost is less than full-time employees (with families, relocation costs, etc.)families, relocation costs, etc.)

Co-op Students can fill short-term needsCo-op Students can fill short-term needs Contacts and knowledge from US Contacts and knowledge from US

assignments assist in international assignments assist in international environment/project workenvironment/project work

Opportunity to evaluate success in an Opportunity to evaluate success in an international environmentinternational environment

Why Do It? EmployerWhy Do It? Employer

Recruiting & DevelopmentRecruiting & Development• Especially for the top studentsEspecially for the top students

CultureCulture• Transfer cultural experiencesTransfer cultural experiences

CommunicationCommunication• Breakdown traditional barriersBreakdown traditional barriers

ROIROI• Co-ops can be risk-takers and find the Co-ops can be risk-takers and find the

“big solutions”“big solutions”

IAESTE United States IAESTE United States

Developing Global Skills in Tomorrow’s Developing Global Skills in Tomorrow’s Technical LeadersTechnical Leaders

Origins of IAESTE International Origins of IAESTE International Internship ProgramInternship Program

Founded in 1948 at Imperial College, Founded in 1948 at Imperial College, LondonLondon

Network of 80+ countries around the world, Network of 80+ countries around the world, facilitating the annual exchange of 6,000 facilitating the annual exchange of 6,000 engineering and science studentsengineering and science students

IAESTE United States Local Committees at IAESTE United States Local Committees at 27 top engineering and science universities; 27 top engineering and science universities; the nations premier membership the nations premier membership organization for internationally-minded organization for internationally-minded students and professionalsstudents and professionals

IAESTE United States offers programs for IAESTE United States offers programs for technical students and professionals aimed technical students and professionals aimed at developing global competenciesat developing global competencies

Goals of the IAESTE Goals of the IAESTE International Internship International Internship

ProgramProgram1. To provide students in higher education 1. To provide students in higher education

with international technical experience with international technical experience relevant to their studiesrelevant to their studies

2.2. To offer employers well-qualified and To offer employers well-qualified and motivated international internsmotivated international interns

3.3. To develop the global skills of science To develop the global skills of science and engineering studentsand engineering students

DesignDesign

1.1. Reciprocal ProgramReciprocal Program2.2. Practical training providing students Practical training providing students

with hands-on experiencewith hands-on experience3.3. All internships are paid by the employerAll internships are paid by the employer4.4. Usually 8-12 weeks, but longer Usually 8-12 weeks, but longer

internships are availableinternships are available5.5. Placements in more than 35 countries; Placements in more than 35 countries;

local language knowledge is not local language knowledge is not requiredrequired

6.6. Accommodation and in-country Accommodation and in-country assistance provided by IAESTE Networkassistance provided by IAESTE Network

Design (Continued)Design (Continued)

1.1. September-January:September-January: students register students register onlineonline

2.2. Early February:Early February: available internships are available internships are posted to registered studentsposted to registered students

3.3. Mid February:Mid February: students list preferences students list preferences and are nominated for internships by and are nominated for internships by IAESTE United States staffIAESTE United States staff

4.4. February-June:February-June: Employer final acceptance, Employer final acceptance, Predeparture orientation, visa and work Predeparture orientation, visa and work permits obtained, accommodation permits obtained, accommodation arranged, departure of studentsarranged, departure of students

ChallengesChallenges

1.1. Reciprocal nature of the problem- must Reciprocal nature of the problem- must find domestic internshipsfind domestic internships

2.2. Keeping costs low for students Keeping costs low for students

3.3. The confusing and ever-changing world The confusing and ever-changing world of visas and work permitsof visas and work permits

4.4. Off-campus location makes it difficult Off-campus location makes it difficult to provide in-person predeparture to provide in-person predeparture orientationsorientations

SuccessesSuccesses

1.1. Local Committee students identify 75% of Local Committee students identify 75% of domestic internships, enabling more U.S. domestic internships, enabling more U.S. students to go abroadstudents to go abroad

2.2. Taking advantage of the IAESTE network: Taking advantage of the IAESTE network: visa and work documentation, placing visa and work documentation, placing unique majors, in-country support in unique majors, in-country support in emergencies, arranging housing, providing emergencies, arranging housing, providing local knowledge, planning cultural events local knowledge, planning cultural events for studentsfor students

3.3. Increasing the number of countries Increasing the number of countries receiving U.S. students by promoting non-receiving U.S. students by promoting non-traditional destinationstraditional destinations

FundingFunding

Funding is fee-based:Funding is fee-based:

OutgoingOutgoing-Student application fees ($35, $50)-Student application fees ($35, $50)

Student placement fees ($350, Student placement fees ($350, $500)$500)

IncomingIncoming- Employer hosting fee ($600-$1750*-- Employer hosting fee ($600-$1750*-depends on duration of program)depends on duration of program)

*includes J-1 visa, insurance for intern*includes J-1 visa, insurance for intern

ConclusionConclusion

Employers increasingly require global skillsEmployers increasingly require global skills Universities with work abroad programs Universities with work abroad programs

attract top students and prepare students attract top students and prepare students to succeed in their careersto succeed in their careers

Work abroad programs follow various Work abroad programs follow various models but share many of the same models but share many of the same benefitsbenefits

Thank you!Thank you!

Questions?Questions?