Florida Techs Innovative Engineering Co-op Program Puts Students on Fast Track to Success

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology, long known for its high-tech, “hands-on” education, takes the concept further with the new ProTrack Co-op program for engineering and applied science students. Enrollment is going on now with the first class set to start August 2010.

The new program combines the benefits of traditional university cooperative education with a unique, student-centered approach. Engineering students can complete three semester-long paid work experiences related to their major and career interests while earning a bachelor’s degree in the traditional four years, with no graduation delay. Graduates are then ready to begin their careers with valuable, applicable work experience under their belts.

“This program has been in the works for many months at the request of students and employers. We are very pleased to be offering now what we believe will give a tremendous advantage to engineering students and meet the needs and expectations of industry,” said Gary Hamme, Florida Tech vice provost for enrollment management.

Benefits include major-related work experience, professional skill honing, co-op earnings, insight into one’s professional strengths, experience with the latest technologies and expanding a professional network by building valuable relationships.

Brevard County is home to the fourth-largest high-tech workforce in the nation and to thousands of scientific and technological companies, organizations and agencies. Many are close to Florida Tech’s Melbourne campus campus, but students will have opportunities to work with employers in all 50 states. Current co-op employers include Apple, Inc., Boeing Company, Florida Power and Light, GE, Harris Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, NASA, National Security Agency, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Siemens and United Space Alliance.

The ProTrack Co-op program is open to students admitted to any College of Engineering degree program. These include aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, construction, electrical engineering, environmental science, mechanical engineering, meteorology, software engineering, ocean engineering and oceanography. In oceanography concentrations are available in biological oceanography, chemical oceanography, coastal zone management, marine environmental science and physical oceanography.

For more information, visit http://www.fit.edu/co-op.