Career Development and Corporate Relations Annual Report 2022-2023

2022-2023

ANNUAL REPORT

Career Development and Corporate Relations

Dean’s Message

As I have settled into my new role as dean of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, I have thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the exceptional programs we offer our students. One crucial puzzle piece that makes our college the best student-centered engineering experience in America is the Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations (CDCR).

According to data collected through the Auburn University First Destination Survey, nearly 90% of Auburn Engineering students gained positive career outcomes within six months of graduation if they completed an internship or co-op. Through co-ops and internships, our students earn opportunities to apply their classroom learning in a tangible workplace setting, gaining real-world experience before they graduate. Through mock interviews, resume and cover letter assistance, our students learn how to best display their engineering expertise for future employers. Through our numerous career fairs, our students are exposed to recruiters from the top companies in the country without ever having to leave campus.

As a result, we are fortunate to have incredibly valuable corporate partners who believe in our vision. They hire and train our students to become some of the hardest working and most innovative engineers in the American workforce.

It is my hope that every student in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering has the opportunity to take part in a highimpact educational experience, including internships, co-ops, undergraduate research and even study abroad opportunities. There is no doubt each resource the CDCR office provides is opening more doors for students to not only secure a job, but to jump start their careers.

I hope you will enjoy learning more about what has been accomplished this year. And if you’re looking for a great new employee, hire an Auburn engineer! War Eagle!

Dr. Mario R. Eden Dean, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering

Our mission is to equip & empower engineering students to discover, develop, & launch professional experiences & purposeful careers.

We do this by:

Delivering customized, student-centered career coaching

Curating career education resources

Promoting work-based learning experiences

Cultivating industry-focused partnerships

GRADUATE

Leah Blair Manager, Corporate Relations leahblair@auburn.edu 334-844-4156

Jessica Bowers Manager, Career Development Content & Strategy jgbowers@auburn.edu 334-844-7599

Jane Kim Career Coach, Cooperative Education & Internships janekim@auburn.edu 334-844-6410

Heather Rush Career Coach, Career Coaching & Programs hlr0024@auburn.edu 334-844-2264

Nathan Haines Graduate Assistant, Data & Operations

Edie Irvin Assistant Director, Cooperative Education & Internships edie.irvin@auburn.edu 334-844-6416

Ed Lewis Director, Senior Advisor to the Dean lewisel@auburn.edu 334-844-2228

Hallie Anne Jones Student Assistant, Graphic Design

Kinley Thompson Student Assistant, Operations

Teresa Jernigan Academic Programs Administrator, Cooperative Education & Internships taj0009@auburn.edu 334-844-5410

Marissa Miller Assistant Director, Career Coaching & Programs mas0075@auburn.edu 334-844-2272

Jerry Van Tuyl Administrative Assistant jrv0015@auburn.edu 334-844-2250

Megan Oakes Student Assistant, Graphic Design

Emily Kaplowitz Corporate Relations Coordinator ekc0046@auburn.edu 334-844-4156

Apryl Mullins Assistant Director, Corporate Relations apryl.mullins@auburn.edu 334-844-2578

Susan Hatcher Graduate Assistant, Career Coaching & Programs

Anna Tamburello Graduate Assistant, Career Coaching & Programs

& STUDENT ASSISTANTS

Where academics & experience meet to make & articulate meaning.

CDCR SERVICES

STUDENT SERVICES

CAREER COACHING

eng.auburn.edu/cdcr/meet-with-us/handshake

Get trustworthy guidance for every stage of your career design journey. Meet with an experienced engineering career coach in a one-on-one session or during a group coaching session.

One-on-one appointments | Schedule to discuss topics such as major and career exploration, internship and coop search, resumes, interview prep, salary negotiation, decision-making, and more.

Group coaching | Get started on your resume in a peer group format with direction and guidance from an engineering career coach.

CO-OP & INTERNSHIP SUPPORT

eng.auburn.edu/cdcr/undergraduate/co-ops-internships

Engineering students who gain experience obtain jobs more quickly and at a higher pay rate than those who do not. CDCR provides customized resources, programs, and staff support for your internship and co-op search and experience.

• Co-op & Internship Interest Meetings

• Co-op & Internship Search Individual Coaching Appointments

• Co-opReady & InternReady Canvas Courses

• Co-op & Internship On-Campus Interviews

• Performance Evaluation Tool & Coordination During Experience

• Welcome Back Events

ON-DEMAND RESOURCES

eng.auburn.edu/career

Access virtual resources curated by CDCR and exclusively available to Auburn University students at any time of day or night. Made available to support you throughout multiple stages of your career design process including:

• Self-discovery

• Major and career exploration

• Networking

• Co-op, internship, job search

• Application materials and interview preparation

WORKSHOPS, PROGRAMS & CAREER FAIRS

eng.auburn.edu/career/events

Expand your knowledge of a wide variety of internship, co-op, global program, research, and full-time opportunities to prototype your interests and apply your academic experiences.

• Coffee Chats with Employers and Alumni

• Employer-in-Residence

• Employer & Alumni Special Topics Panels

• Engineering Career Fairs & Interviews

• Industry Days

• Job Search Summit

• Lunch and Learns

• Mock Interviews with Engineering Alumni

• Table Talks with Employers

CAREER IN THE CLASSROOM & PRESENTATIONS

eng.auburn.edu/cdcr/meet-with-us/request-a-program

Designed to meet students where they are, CDCR customizes, delivers, and facilitates programs and career-related assignments for classroom or other group environments such as student organizations or events.

HANDSHAKE

eng.auburn.edu/cdcr/meet-with-us/handshake

Search and apply for part-time, internship, co-op, and full-time opportunities tailored for Auburn students. Find resources to prepare for future opportunities. Complete your profile to customize your preferences and optimize the platform for your needs.

ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWING

Employers from across the region and country travel to Auburn University to interview students for available internships, co-ops, and full-time jobs at their organizations. Large interview day events take place in conjunction with the engineering career fair events each semester. Some employers also schedule on-campus interviewing as needed through the year. Interview schedules are accessible by applying to associated jobs on Handshake or by invitation from a company recruiter.

EMPLOYER SERVICES

JOB POSTINGS

eng.auburn.edu/cdcr/employers/posting-jobs-internships

Auburn University uses the Handshake job platform for employers to post co-op, internship, and full-time positions for students and recent alumni. After a job is posted, CDCR will promote the position to qualified students upon request.

CAREER FAIRS & ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWING

eng.auburn.edu/cdcr/employers/career-fairs-on-campusinterviewing

With the opportunity to meet more than 800 engineering students, the College of Engineering coordinates multiple career fairs throughout the academic year for broad and niche populations of engineering disciplines.

CDCR also coordinates on-campus interview days and as-needed interview room reservations as opportunities to interview for co-op, internship, and full-time positions.

ON-CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

eng.auburn.edu/cdcr/employers/engagement-opportunities

The College of Engineering offers a variety of options to engage with engineering students in one-on-one, small group, and large group settings. The CDCR staff works with organizations to customize a recruitment strategy and tailor engagement opportunities based on promotion and recruitment needs.

• Employer-in-Residence

• Student Organization Meetings

• Coffee Chats with EnGINNeers

• Lunch and Learns

• Table Talks

• Co-op + Internship Interest Meeting Co-facilitating

• Industry Days

JARROD BALES

Education and Outreach Specialist | NASA

“We are grateful for the many meaningful interactions we had during our time at Auburn University. It was a pleasure to meet with faculty and students and see the unique student projects. The one-on-one conversations we had with students following the career panel were highlights. These discussions afforded us the opportunity to genuinely connect with students and form lasting relationships.”

ALUMNI SERVICES

CAREER COACHING ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

eng.auburn.edu/cdcr/meet-with-us/handshake

Get trustworthy guidance for every stage of your career design journey. Meet with an experienced Engineering Career Coach in a one-on-one session or during a group coaching session.

One-on-one appointments | Schedule to discuss topics such as major and career exploration, internship and co-op search, resumes, interview prep, salary negotiation, decision making, and more.

Appointments are available for alumni who have graduated within the last five years.

eng.auburn.edu/cdcr/alumni

Alumni play an important role in the lives of Auburn Engineering students. You can impact a student’s career related to major choice, co-op and internship opportunities, and chosen career paths.

Support and engage with future Auburn engineers through:

• Coffee Chats with EnGINNeers

• Mock Interviews sponsored by the Engineering Young Alumni Council

• 100+ Women Strong

• Employer engagement opportunities for organization recruiting

FACULTY & STAFF SERVICES

STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANT PROMOTION

Need student support for your research activities? CDCR gladly promotes student research assistant positions to qualified student candidates. Submit a request, and CDCR will spread the word!

INDUSTRY SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT VISITS

Want to connect classroom topics to the field? The CDCR is happy to facilitate connections to an industry subject matter expert and support coordination of scheduling to speak to your class.

Submit your request on the CDCR website.

Visit eng.auburn.edu/cdcr/faculty for details about any of these resources.

CANDI VANN

ADULT EDUCATION ’ 18 & GENERAL SOCIAL SCIENCE EDUCATION ’ 10

Director | Academic Advising Engineering Student Services

“The services and resources provided by CDCR are invaluable to our college and our students. It is critical for students to connect the technical skills they learn in the classroom to their career goals and CDCR provides the most useful content to help students become career ready. Their one-on-one appointments and classroom presentations help students learn about all of the career related resources available to them and stresses the importance and benefits of getting involved early and often. CDCR is helping students develop and refine the skills and competencies necessary to acquire their dream job!”

REQUEST A CLASS PRESENTATION

Need to cancel class? Our career coaching team can cover it for you. We offer a variety of career development topics that can be facilitated in a class setting. Submit a request on the CDCR website, and we’ll be there!

REFER STUDENTS AND EMPLOYERS

Students often turn to faculty and advisors when seeking career advice. As you work to assist students considering their future career paths, feel free to refer them to CDCR career coaching team.

At times, you may also be contacted by research sponsors or other industry partners interested in recruiting students. Please refer employers to the Corporate Relations team, and we will gladly assist them with hiring Auburn Engineering talent.

FIRST DESTINATION OUTCOMES

For 2021-2022 Undergraduate Engineering Graduates: Summer 2021, Fall 2021 and Spring 2022

AUBURN UNIVERSITY FIRST DESTINATION SURVEY (FDS) DATA COLLECTION PROCESS

In the final semester before graduating from Auburn, undergraduate and graduate students are asked to complete Auburn’s First Destination Survey which captures information related to their career plans immediately following graduation. Students who do not indicate full-time employment or enrollment in a program of continuing education receive outreach during the survey follow-up process, which lasts until six months after graduation. In addition to emails and phone calls, career outcome information is also gathered from students’ LinkedIn accounts and other sources to approximate an accurate representation of career outcomes for Auburn graduates each year.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

MEDIAN

OVERALL OUTCOMES

Only includes reported full-time and military salaries

N/A indicates an insufficient number of reported salaries

TOP GRADUATE INSTITUTIONS

BY REPORTED VOLUME OF ACCEPTED STUDENTS

Auburn University

Duke University

Georgia Institute of Technology

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Vanderbilt University

TOP GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Doctor of Philosophy

Master of Civil Engineering

Master of Computer Science and Engineering

Master of Electrical Engineering

Master of Mechanical Engineering

Master of Science

SAMPLE JOB TITLES

Design Engineer

Distribution Engineer

Field Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Operation Engineer

Process Engineer

Project Engineer

Project Manager

Quality Engineer

Software Engineer

Test Engineer

Alabama Department of Transportation

Amazon

Brasfield & Gorrie

Capgemini

Dynetics

ExxonMobil

Georgia-Pacific

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama

International Paper

Kimley-Horn

Lockheed Martin

Northrop Grumman

Southern Company

The Boeing Company

U.S. Air Force

U.S. Army

U.S. Navy

GRADUATE STUDENTS

SALARY

MEDIAN MEAN STUDENTS REPORTED

$84,000 $91,694 297

SAMPLE PROGRAMS

Master of Aerospace Engineering

Master of Civil Engineering

Master of Computer Science & Software Engineering

Ph.D. in Computer Science & Software Engineering

TOP COMPANIES BY HIRING VOLUME OF STUDENTS

Auburn University

Dynetics

Florida Polytechnic Institute

SAMPLE JOB TITLES

Assistant Professor

Automation Engineer

Computer Engineer

Data Scientist

TOP CITIES

IS4S

Lockheed Martin

Northrop Grumman

OVERALL OUTCOMES

Master of Electrical Engineering

Master of Engineering Management

Master of Industrial & Systems Engineering

Master of Mechanical Engineering

Design Engineer Engineer

General Engineer

Industrial Engineer

Radiance Technologies

Raytheon Technologies

The Boeing Company

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Department of Defense

Wuxi Biologics

Manufacturing Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Quality Engineer

Safety Manager

BY NUMBER OF UNDERGRADUATE & GRADUATE STUDENTS

Auburn, AL

Atlanta, GA

Birmingham, AL Columbus, GA

Dallas, TX

Huntsville, AL

Software Engineer

Systems Engineer

223

KEN ZOU | SOFTWARE ENGINEER ’23

Montgomery, AL Nashville, TN

Software Development Engineer | McDonald’s Corporate Headquarters

Software Development Intern | McDonald’s Corporate Headquarters | Chicago, IL

“ CDCR has significantly shaped my career trajectory and enhanced my professional development skills. As a first-generation college student who had little idea of what direction I wanted to go, CDCR was beyond helpful every step of the way. From my initial internship search process, to resume and cover letter assistance, career fair preparation and networking advice, I felt well-equipped to put my best foot forward. I was also able to utilize the CDCR team’s expertise when it came to assessing my internship offers, making an ultimate decision and further down the line when navigating full-time offers. I am extremely grateful to CDCR and the highly dedicated career coaches for their constant support in helping me with every request, no matter how trivial it seemed.”

HIGH IMPACT EXPERIENCES & OUTCOMES

Based on Engineering Student Responses to the 2021-22 Auburn University Campus Engagement and Experience Survey and Auburn University First Destination Survey

The CEES asks students to share feedback on 5 high-impact learning experiences (internship, co-op, undergraduate research, study abroad, and meaningful writing experience) in which they may have participated during their undergraduate career at Auburn. The CEES also asks about students’ academic engagement within their academic college/degree program. The CEES is administered approximately four weeks before graduation each semester.

HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES

High impact practices (HIPs) are defined by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) as teaching and learning practices that offer evidence-based significant educational benefits for students who participate in them, including and especially those from demographic groups historically under-served by higher education. Research, internships, co-ops, and study abroad represent four of 11 HIPs identified by the AACU.

OVERALL OUTCOMES

69%

OF GRADUATES ENGAGED IN INTERNSHIPS, CO-OP, RESEARCH, OR STUDY ABROAD

CO-OP 39% 20% 6%

24%

INTERNSHIPS RESEARCH STUDY ABROAD

IMPACT ON FIRST DESTINATION OUTCOMES

When students gain experience through internships, co-ops, research, and study abroad, it has a proven impact. Students with experience in these high-impact practices secure full-time jobs at a faster and higher-paying rate than students who do not.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

“As a graduating senior, I secured a full-time job with ExxonMobil six months prior to graduation. I am confident the professional experience gained through internships was the catalyst for my success. I always knew when I started at Auburn University that I wanted to gain real-world experience that would help me understand what I can do in my future career. The Engineering Career Fair and Co-op and Internship Interview Day my sophomore year opened my eyes to the diverse opportunities I could find as a chemical engineer. I am proud to say I completed three internships during my time at Auburn. I highly recommend Auburn students seek out internship, co-op, and other types of experience to ensure job success at graduation.”

Barbara Allen | Chemical Engineering ’23

Engineer in Operations | ExxonMobil

Adipic Acid Intern | Ascend Performance Materials | Pensacola, FL

Professional Enrichment Intern | Evonik | Lafayette, IN

Off-site Intern | ExxonMobil | Baytown, TX

AUBURN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT & EXPERIENCE SURVEY (CEES)

WOULD RECOMMEND TO A PEER

80% 86%

INDICATED RESPONSIBILITIES WERE RELATED TO THEIR FIELD OF STUDY

“As a first-generation college student, I am grateful for this opportunity to better understand an engineer’s role outside the classroom. Not only have I gained experience in different areas within the organization, but I serve as Chief of Staff for Students of Southern Company where I oversee planning for student volunteer and social events for co-op and intern students across Southern Company. Most importantly, I have found an industry where I would like to continue my engineering career after I graduate.”

JESUS RUELAS BARRAGAN | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Co-op | Georgia Power of West and Central GA

83%

WOULD RECOMMEND TO A PEER

80%

INDICATED RESPONSIBILITIES WERE RELATED TO THEIR FIELD OF STUDY

“My internship at Dynetics helped me harbor valuable connections, gain and improve both professional and software development skills, and gave me insight into what it is like to be on a productive team as a responsible and diligent team member. I witnessed the day-to-day activities of a team using the agile scrum development process, something I previously only read about in my classes. It also gave me the opportunity to return to Dynetics after graduation as a full-time software engineer, which I am very thankful and excited for.”

Megan Sheehan | Computer Science ’23

Intern | Dynetics | Huntsville, AL

78%

CLARIFIED CAREER GOALS

66%

WERE MORE COMPETITIVE IN THE JOB MARKET

63%

IMPROVED COMMUNICATION

“I became involved in research my sophomore year of college and was immediately absorbed by the passion of those working around me like Dr. Russell Mailen and Dr. Soledad Peresin. It is through them I have learned how to become a better researcher. Their support and encouragement to explore my interests in research, from recycled shape memory polymer to responsive coatings for artificial photosynthesis, have been invaluable for my growth as a student researcher and person.”

Maggie Nelson | Aerospace Engineering

2023 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship recipient, awarded to 413 students nationwide and considered the most prestigious award in the U.S. for undergraduates in STEM

CO-OP INTERNSHIP RESEARCH STUDY ABROAD

70%

GAINED A GREATER APPRECIATION FOR DIFFERENT CULTURES

66%

GAINED CONFIDENCE IN UNFAMILIAR SITUATIONS

63%

DEVELOPED THEIR SOFT SKILLS

“Because I’ve worked in an international environment, I think it will help me become a more competitive job candidate. I think it could be advantageous for me when a company sees that if I can work on an international team, then I could work on any team. My experience abroad has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and the most eventful year of my life. It has changed how I view myself, different cultures, working, basically everything. I would recommend that if anyone has the chance to do a program like this to take it.”

Sam Adams | Computer Science & German Student | Aalen University | Aalen, Germany

Software Engineering Intern | camLine | Dresden, Germany

FEATURED EVENTS & INITIATIVES

HUNTSVILLE EMPLOYER SUMMIT | August 2022

With a goal of facilitating relationships and educating companies about how to engage and recruit Auburn engineering students, CDCR descended upon the Auburn University Huntsville Research and Innovation Campus to host the inaugural Employer Summit. More than 60 representatives from 35 companies engaged with college representatives, including current students, young alumni, CDCR staff and select faculty.

A highlight of the day was a panel of student and young alumni who shared their feedback on their job search process, how they interacted with employers throughout the process, what attributes they looked for when narrowing down their search and what recruitment practices resonated with them.

MOCK INTERVIEWS WITH ENGINEERING YOUNG ALUMNI | September 2022

The Career Development and Corporate Relations office works closely with the Engineering Young Alumni Council each fall semester to host a mock interview event. The mock interview event provides a valuable opportunity for Auburn students to practice behavioral and technical interviewing techniques with alumni currently working in the engineering field.

Alumni volunteers not only help students practice their interview skills but also provide constructive feedback regarding the students’ interviewing skills. Each interview is scheduled for 30 minutes; 20 minutes for interview questions and 10 minutes for the alumni to provide feedback.

ABET ENGINEERING PROGRAM ACCREDITATION VISIT | October 2022

ABET is the organization responsible for evaluation and outcomesbased accreditation of over 4,500 engineering programs at colleges and universities across the United States and in 40 countries. ABET evaluators conducted a site visit to review the status and continuous improvement of undergraduate programs. CDCR supported the visit by meeting with program evaluators to provide an overview of Career Development and Corporate Relations services. Evaluators uniquely identified CDCR and other engineering student support services as a top strength. Evaluator feedback indicated, “The SGCOE places great emphasis on enhancing the entirety of the student educational and professional experience. The welcoming and nurturing environment contributes directly to student success and wellbeing.”

CAREER TREK TO LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY | December 2022

In Fall 2022, Auburn University hosted Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) for a research and recruitment visit. As a result, an opportunity developed for nine students to travel to LANL for a site visit. The students toured the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test Facility, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory – Pulsed Field Facility, and the Bradbury Science Museum and participated in a robotics demonstration. Students met with key managers interested in hiring summer interns, resulting in six of the nine students expressing an interest in an internship. Five of the six received summer 2023 internships, and one student is considering a future internship.

CSSE CAREER IN THE CLASSROOM | Spring 2023

In support of the Computer Science and Software Engineering Bright Idea project, CDCR partnered with advisors to develop and deliver two new one-credit hour professional development courses for sophomores (COMP 2800) and seniors (COMP 4800). Supporting the University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, the project seeks to utilize career development to improve student career outcomes. Students enrolled in the inaugural semester of courses indicated the most impactful topics from the classes included: identifying strengths and areas of improvement, gaining personal insights, building a resume and digital profile to connect with others, meeting alumni and learning about their knowledge and experiences, and learning from faculty about CSSE sub-disciplines and areas of research.

PASSPORT TO YOUR ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE | January 2023

Passport to Your Engineering Experience was designed to educate students about the breadth of opportunities available for them to gain high-impact experiences while in college that could influence their career trajectory. Students networked with student organizations, faculty and students involved with undergraduate research and global programs, and companies that hire both interns and/or co-ops. The companies that participated were Alabama Power, A Southern Company; Baxter; Delta Airlines, Inc.; IS4S; Kimley-Horn; McLeod Software; Mercedes Benz, U.S. International, Inc.; Neptune Technology Group; and The Boeing Company.

DESIGN FOR HUMANITY | March 2023

In conjunction with the college’s inaugural Engineer Together Day, CDCR hosted the Design for Humanity Engineering Challenge, centered on designing solutions with a people-first mindset that considers diverse needs and a wide variety of possible users. More than sixty students attended the event while engineering faculty and industry representatives from Milliken & Company, AM/NS Calvert, and Lockheed Martin served as coaches and evaluators. Students worked in small groups to consider approaches to communicating with an autonomous vehicle that would suit the needs of a variety of populations. Each team’s solutions were evaluated using a shared rubric to assess responses and select and reward a winning team.

ENGINEERING GERMANY DAY | March 2023

Fostering the spirit of collaborative educational programs, Auburn University hosted a delegation from the Technical University of Applied Science Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS). Faculty and staff from THWS spent a portion of their visit at Germany Day, offering informal conversations for students to learn about the opportunities available.

“There are 90 German companies in Alabama. We want our students to know they have an opportunity to intern or co-op with one of these fine companies. Who knows? They might work for one of them, either in the United States or in Germany, after they graduate,” said Ed Lewis, Senior Advisor in the SGCOE and Director of CDCR.

Co-op

Career

Navigating

HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO A PEER

9.6/10

Average likelihood for students to recommend a CDCR appointment

Students complete a short feedback survey after each coaching appointment.

On a scale of 1-10 students rate their likelihood of recommending a CDCR appointment to a peer.

FEATURED

Mock

How

Featuring Brasfield & Gorrie, Nalco Water - An Ecolab Company, and The MITRE Corporation

Design For Humanity Challenge

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

“My experience with CDCR has been absolutely wonderful. The whole staff is incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. They assisted me in marketing myself in a way that was attractive to companies at the Engineering Career Fair. I enjoyed the resume and mock interview focused sessions, as they helped me feel more confident in my accomplishments and my presence when talking to employers.”

Sophia Halstead | Chemical Engineering Intern | Georgia Pacific Corporation | Big Island, VA

Featuring Milliken, Lockheed Martin, AM/NS Calvert

MOCK INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE

“Technical interviews are a key component of all software engineering hiring processes, particularly at large wellknown tech companies. They are often regarded as being one of the most challenging parts of the process. By giving our students technical interview experience, we’re equipping them with the skills needed to demonstrate all Auburn Engineering has taught them and secure employment with top employers after graduation.”

Eddie Seay | Wireless Engineering ’16 Principal Software Engineer | Chick-Fil-A, Inc.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT STARTS IN THE CLASSROOM

ENGINEERING CAREER IN THE CLASSROOM

The career coaching and programs team facilitates customized, interactive workshops and programs on a variety of career topics, ranging from designing engineering careers, gearing up for a successful industry search, navigating offers and negotiations, and more! Career programs are designed for groups of five – 100 and are presented or facilitated based on approaches most conducive to the topic and audience.

PRESENTATIONS

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT INDUSTRY SPEAKERS

The CDCR provided industry guest speakers for two courses.

Systems Dynamics and Controls | Southwest Research Institute

Aerospace Design | NASA Launch Services Program

Seeking a subject matter expert industry speaker for your class?

Submit a request at aub.ie/industryspeaker

CAREER IN THE CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE

STUDENTS REACHED

Need a guest lecturer for your class or want to request a customized career development program? Select topics and submit a request at aub.ie/CDCRintheclassroom

InternReady is a free, 0-credit hour interactive Canvas course developed to guide current engineering undergraduate and graduate students through the internship search process by providing resources on resumes, interviewing and career fair preparation.

Thank You and Follow-Up

Internship Search

Career Fair and Elevator Pitch

CAREER READINESS

“It was exciting to engage with students in Dr. Rose's class about the types of real-world challenges they can solve in the field of robotics by applying their knowledge of mechatronics and control systems. Students asked insightful questions about how their classwork could lead to new solutions for the research problems we are solving at the SWRI. It was inspiring to see the passion of these young engineers when speaking about their own class projects. This passion for solving hard, real problems is exactly what we are looking for in aspiring roboticists.”

Robert Brothers Research Engineer, Intelligent Systems Division Southwest Research Institute

286

STUDENTS REGISTERED

COMPETENCIES SKILLSURVEY

The Career Readiness Competencies are an initiative developed by career services and recruiting professionals to create a shared understanding of what is needed to launch and develop a successful career, a common vocabulary to discuss needs and expectations, and a basic set of competencies upon which a successful career is launched.

Based on the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Readiness Competencies, SkillSurvey is an assessment that allows students to obtain feedback from multiple managers and co-workers regarding their skill development. All enrolled co-op and internship students and their supervisors complete the assessment at the end of a work term.

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT

COMPANIES ACTIVELY RECRUITING 400

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

EMPLOYER-IN-RESIDENCE

Employer-in-Residence is designed to provide one-on-one coaching by employers for students regarding career development topics such as resume reviews, mock interviews, elevator pitch practice, and networking tips. Employer-in-Residence is especially beneficial during the time leading up to a career fair.

EMPLOYER EXPERIENCE

“The employer-in-residence engagement opportunity is an excellent complement to Lockheed Martin’s recruitment initiatives at Auburn. This opportunity affords us dedicated time to interact personally with students, providing insightful feedback on resumes, offering strategic tips for career fairs and networking, and guiding them through the intricate processes of seeking internships and job opportunities. By providing this service, we are empowering students to navigate their future interactions confidently with prospective employers throughout their educational journey and beyond into their professional careers.”

Emma Lumpkins Campus Recruiter, University

Relations and Recruiting

Lockheed Martin Enterprise Talent Acquisition

TABLE TALKS

For employers interested in promoting their company or organization, Table Talks provide a great branding opportunity to informally network with students by setting up a table in high traffic areas on the engineering campus.

EMPLOYER EXPERIENCE

“Working with CDCR has been a great use of our time and resources. We have been able to establish a presence on campus where we feel we can find some very strong talent to meet our hiring needs in many of our locations. We have participated in many events over the last year, and we are always amazed at the caliber of the students we interact with throughout the year. We will definitely continue to engage and have a presence on campus.”

Ed Haroski Vice President of Human Resources Milliken and Company, Floor Covering Division

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

COFFEE CHATS

Coffee Chats with An EnGINNeer are designed for alumni and employers interested in mentoring students or providing specific topic-driven discussions either one-on-one or in a small-group setting.

EMPLOYER EXPERIENCE

“My main goal was to help Auburn Engineering students understand what is needed for a career in the tech industry. As someone who has been living on the West Coast for almost 15 years now but also grew up in the Southeast, it can be difficult to make the transition especially in this current macro-climate. I have a unique perspective on how to accomplish it and would like to share my story, advice, and network with others. I don’t run into many Auburn alumni in professional settings who are also in the tech industry. I’d like to change that and help students be successful if they want to pursue the path.

Overall, I had a wonderful experience with the round-table. It was well organized in advance and had great attendance. Students had wonderful questions, and we went the entire time without pause. I had a few students reach out to me afterward, and I’ll continue to give them advice and help in any way I can. I would definitely do a similar event in the future if provided the opportunity.”

Marcus Hanson | Software Engineering ’05 Head of Engineering

Assembled

STUDENT ORGANIZATION MEETINGS

Getting involved with student organizations on campus allows employers to develop relationships with students in particular majors or affinity groups and provides employers the opportunity to share more about specific employer projects or “A Day in the Life” experiences in a group setting with students.

EMPLOYER EXPERIENCE

“PTAC’s participation in the Auburn Chapter of ASCE has become an invaluable resource over the years. The increase in brand recognition among Auburn students has been noticeable and measurable. We have been able to recruit great young engineers and further connect with industry professionals and faculty. PTAC will continue to participate in these opportunities for years to come.”

Jordan Watkins | Civil & Environmental Engineering ’12 Chief Executive Officer PTAC

ON-CAMPUS RECRUITING

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Includes data from all 2022-2023 career fairs and industry days.

BY CLASS YEAR

1856

DISTINCT STUDENT ATTENDEES

“Neptune Technology Group’s delivery of innovative products to our nation’s water industry is rooted in its qualified and motivated engineers. Auburn student co-op engineers provide Neptune with capable service in their day-to-day work while gaining valuable experience. Upon graduation, these students present a pre-vetted talent pool from which to hire full-time engineers who continue to be integral to our success. I was a co-op student and vividly remember the value of such a program in my academic and industrial career. Affording this opportunity to AU students is consistent with Neptune’s culture and values. I firmly believe it is a win-win.”

John Scarborough III Mechanical Engineering Resource Manager Neptune Technology Group

CAREER FAIR QUALITY

98%

OF EMPLOYERS RATE AU ENGINEERS AS PREPARED OR VERY PREPARED FOR CAREER FAIRS

Based on 2022-2023 employer career fair survey responses

“We have seen tremendous results in our recruiting efforts at Auburn over the last few years. With the help of the Career Development and Corporate Relations team, we have had the opportunity to conduct multiple on-campus student awareness activities throughout the last two years, such as new product showcases on the concourse and lunch-and-learn introductions about our business. This has enabled us to quickly increase our brand awareness with students outside of the ‘normal’ career fairs and interviews and has resulted in significant success in recruiting co-op and full-time students.”

Jeremy White | Mechanical Engineering ’02 Design and Technologies Leader | Club Car

CAREERS IN POWER INDUSTRY DAY | January 2023

In addition to large-scale career fairs and events designed for individual companies to engage, CDCR embarked on industry specific events. Careers in Power Industry Day was one of those events that provided students with an education on how different companies work together across the industry to generate, transmit, and distribute power. Alabama Power, A Southern Company; Altec Industries; Schneider Electric; Southern Nuclear, A Southern Company; and Southwire Company participated in a panel discussion to discuss trends, career paths, important skillsets for the field and the roles each company plays in creating a sustainable future. Students networked with the companies after the panel to learn more about specific career opportunities with each company.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Manufacturing

Construction

Defense

Engineering & Construction

Government - Local, State, & Federal

Automotive

Utilities & Renewable Energy

Telecommunications

Scientific & Technical Consulting

Aerospace

Internet & Software

Electronic & Computer Hardware

Oil & Gas

Consumer Packaged Goods

Transportation & Logistics

Healthcare

Environmental Services

Energy

ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWS

152 728 2271

ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE

“When McLeod first started participating in the co-op program at Auburn, no one knew who we were. Participating in on-campus interviews gave us a way to connect with students and hire the best and brightest. Over time our co-op program has grown and become a lot more structured and way more successful. It has been a great program for McLeod and a great program for the students coming in. Our whole goal with the co-op program is to find another avenue for hiring potential full-time developers out of universities like Auburn. Interviewing on campus makes this process efficient and creates a different avenue where you would have someone who would graduate college and have nine months of McLeod experience and be ready to hit the ground running as a full-time software developer at McLeod.”

Mark Vines | Criminal Justice ’97

Talent Acquisition Specialist | McLeod Software

CO-OP & INTERNSHIP

Reported during Summer 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023

Only includes undergraduate students

Brasfield & Gorrie

Integrated Solutions for Systems (IS4S)

Mercedes-Benz US International

Neptune Technology Group

Southern Company

WestRock CAREER

JARED JONES | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ’23

OF AUBURN UNIVERSITY CO-OPS ARE ENROLLED IN THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Co-op Student of the Year | 2022 Frank Vandegrift Award Winner

AACE Co-op Student of the Year Award Winner Engineering Intern | Dynetics | Huntsville, AL

Co-op Engineer | Johnson Outdoors | Eufala, AL

“Recognition of the hard work I put into my classes and co-op employment was a very rewarding feeling. However, what means the most is that Auburn’s co-op program seeks to make a difference in students’ lives. I was able to put the monetary award toward college education expenses, and I am thankful for that financial support. My co-op experience was everything I hoped it would be. It allowed me to participate in a wide range of work, providing hands-on experience and opportunities to apply what I learned in my classes. On the job, I learned skills and knowledge I brought back to college and applied in the classroom. Co-oping also provided me with valuable work experience, which was key to helping me secure a full-time job upon graduation.”

Co-op student supervisors and co-workers report growth and increased competency in all eight career development competencies over the course of three work terms.

3.39 6.16

Reports indicate the highest competency levels in

Reports indicate the most growth over a three-term period in

Equity & Inclusion Teamwork

This assessment is scored out of 7. For more info about Career Competencies and SkillSurvey, see page 17.

Leadership Critical Thinking

“The co-op and internship program plays a key role in day-to-day operations at International Paper. Interns and co-ops receive robust onboarding at each of our facilities to understand safety aspects, environmental impact, and operational tasks. They are given projects that are significant to the business, allowing them to develop and apply their skills as well as explore what an engineering career will be in the pulp and paper industry. IP views co-op and internship as a great way to attract talent into the organization early on and potentially convert co-ops and interns to full-time hires with a wealth of experience when starting as full-time engineers.”

Mandy Ledkins | Chemical Engineering ’02 Human Resources Manager | International Paper

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Reported during Summer 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023

AVERAGE INTERNSHIP SALARY

Includes undergraduate and graduate students

$23.00/hour $26.34/hour 80

INTERNSHIP REPORTING

CONFIRMED INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES

SELF-REPORTED INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES

CDCR asks students to complete an internship reporting form and register for the ENGR 3920 or 7920 course, for undergraduate and graduate students respectively. The courses offer an official way to document internship experience on the student transcript and result in a certificate for each internship experience completed. Through the reporting process and course enrollment, CDCR certifies each internship and provides tools to enhance the quality of both the student and employer experiences.

CDCR seeks to substantially increase the rate of student internship reporting. Report an internship at aub.ie/internship-reporting

TOP INTERNSHIP EMPLOYERS

BY HIRING VOLUME OF STUDENTS

Auburn University

Integrated Solutions for Systems (IS4S)

Roadway Management

SiO2

Tennessee Valley Authority

Walt Disney World

ENGR 3920 & 7920

INTERNSHIP LOCATIONS

CAREER READINESS DEVELOPMENT

6.22

AVERAGE INTERN STUDENT SKILLSURVEY SCORE

This assessment is scored out of 7. For more info about Career Competencies and SkillSurvey, see page 17.

Engineering 3920 and 7920 are SGCOE courses designed for students engaging in professional internships. They are 0-credit, $0 fee courses that document the experience on a student’s transcript and maintain full-time enrollment status while interning during fall, spring, or summer semesters.

STUDENTS ENROLLED 76

Enrolled during Summer 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023

ALANA HATTENSTEIN | CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Intern | International Paper

“The CDCR team provided one-on-one advice on my resume, printed quality copies for me, and even gave me career fair advice such as what to wear and how to speak with potential future employers. Through the career fair, I connected and interviewed with employers, which led to meeting my current supervisor at International Paper.

During my internship experience, I worked hand-in-hand with engineers and contributed to the company daily all while learning information that will help me in future Auburn classes and in my future career. My most impactful experiences were seeing the hard work that goes into making products we use on a daily basis, as well as an annual outage where I performed lockouts and safety training. I learned to enter equipment and understand how it works from the inside while it was shut down.

I am forever grateful to the CDCR team and International Paper for helping me land this impactful opportunity. I highly recommend using the CDCR resources to guide you through this process!”

Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center 152 Wilmore Drive Suite 1133 Auburn, AL 36849

334-844-2250

eng.auburn.edu/career @auburnengineeringcareers