1. Altering the co-op schedule:a Feasibility Study By: Anthony Price English 341

2. Background UC created the first co-op program in the country Mechanical Engineering Technology students are required to complete alternating quarters of co-op from their 2nd through 4th year In recent years, co-op hire levels have been some of the worst in the history of the program

3. Altering the Co-op Completion Schedule Problem Students only have 1 year of academic experience when applying for first co-op This limits employers gains and students prospects Difficult to build strong workplace skills and connections because you are only there for 2-3 months at a time Solution Change the schedule so students co-op for one solid year, during their 4th year of school

4. Audience Bill Walters – co-op coordinator for MET students Muthar Al-Ubaidi – department head Laura Caldwell – advisor for MET program Professor Stoll

5. Criteria/Standards

6. Methods of Evaluation/Research Interviews Bill Walters – co-op coordinator for MET students Muthar Al-Ubaidi – department head Laura Caldwell – advisor for MET program

7. Topics to be Investigated Need to interview the aforementioned persons to evaluate if the academic coursework is amenable to the proposed change. Need to search the UC website to find how to go about proposing the change Poll companies to determine if they are interested in the proposed change in co-op schedule

8. Questions?