National Engineers Week 2024

College of Engineering launches Industry Connections

The NDSU College of Engineering held a kick-off event for its new Industry Connections mentoring program at the NDSU Alumni Center on January 18.

Industry Connections is designed to help students expand upon their classroom knowledge and benefit from the exchange of ideas with established professionals.

“This program will provide students with valuable professional development, meaningful interactions and real-world

experiences,” said Alan Kallmeyer, interim dean of the College of Engineering. “By helping our students create strong connections with industry leaders, we can enhance their ability to compete successfully in the workforce after graduation.”

The first Industry Connections cohort includes 27 freshman and sophomore students paired with professionals from the Fargo area. Students and mentors will meet several times throughout the semester.

WEEK 2024

“Whether they are job shadowing, having their resume reviewed, doing a mock interview, observing a client meeting, or networking with their mentor’s colleagues, we believe this experience will give students access to an insider’s perspective on navigating college and their career path,” said Scott Pryor, associate dean for undergraduate programs in the College of Engineering.

Pryor says the college will use feedback from this first cohort to improve and expand the Industry Connections program.

“We really see this as a key tool for recruiting and retaining students,” Pryor said. “Building a bridge between seasoned professionals and our current students will give them a wealth of experience, insights, and industry knowledge that can have a transformative impact on the next generation of engineers, computer scientists and construction managers.”

The College of Engineering is hosting a closing event for Industry Connections in the spring to give students and mentors a chance to reflect upon their experiences and network with other participants.