ENGRG 4998 - Engineering Practical Training

Fall, Spring. 0.25 credits. S/U grades only.

Prerequisite: intended for undergraduates in engineering majors who require work authorization for an employer other than Cornell. Permission of instructor required. Not open to: CS students. Students majoring in CS should enroll in CS 4997.

A. Zehnder.

This independent study course offers engineering students an opportunity to reflect on professional and personal growth, challenges, and opportunities resulting from a recent internship in the USA (Curricular Practical Training, CPT). Typically, these internships take place in the summer and students, in the semester they return to campus, write a short paper describing their work experience and how it connects to the educational objectives of their major. The value of the course is in the reflection on expectations, successes, challenges and skills and knowledge gained during the internship in the United States.

Outcome 1: Examine the ways in which the internship experience met, exceeded, or did not meet the students’ expectations at the outset. This includes the experience alignment with the employer’s description as well as the students personal and professional set of values and ethics.

Outcome 2: Identify knowledge, skills, or other experiences (in the conceptual, technical and social realm) that would be beneficial going forward in preparation for successful future in a chosen career based on the internship experience.

Outcome 3: Weigh the benefits and the challenges of working in an environment that is culturally unfamiliar (an international setting).

Outcome 4: Synthesize the component reflections on strengths, challenges, expectations, and personal values into an exploration of potential career paths going forward.