Author: Joe McFarland, Schulich School of Engineering
Work-integrated learning has become a cornerstone of the education that students receive at the University of Calgary's Schulich School of Engineering.
Building from its successful undergraduate internship program, the school has announced the creation of the Master of Engineering (MEng) internship program.
The program will provide MEng students an eight- to 16-month full-time, paid internship with companies across Canada.
"Our master's students have asked us for more work experience opportunities to get their foot in the door of industry," says Dr. Jeffrey Priest, PhD, associate dean - Graduate Studies and MEng Program.
"This unique program will allow students to apply their engineering skillset in a professional setting, gain valuable soft skills and enhance their knowledge of the Canadian business landscape."
Applications for the MEng program are now open and close March 1, 2024. Students looking to learn more about the new offering are invited to register for a webinar scheduled for Feb. 7
Priest says the first cohort of eligible students will begin their MEng studies in fall 2024. To be eligible for internship, students will need to complete one year of full-time studies and a career preparation certificate.
"Our MEng programs include a variety of specializations to fine-tune our students' engineering knowledge and skills so that they are ready to launch successful careers," Priest says. "Through the Engineering Student Centre, we have a variety of resources available to help students realize their academic and professional dreams."
While spaces are limited in the program right now, he says the program will grow over the next five years.
New program builds on Schulich's successful undergraduate program
The MEng internship program was born out of the success of Schulich's undergraduate Engineering Internship Program. More than 550 students have been successfully placed into internships during the current cycle, which goes from May 2023 to August 2024.
Those who are taking part in it see the benefits of working in industry as part of their studies.
"This experience allowed me to witness the practical application of both theoretical knowledge and field experience in addressing issues," says third-year chemical engineering major Kayla Vickers. "Schulich has provided a solid foundation with knowledge and calculations, but the internship allowed me to translate that knowledge into real-world scenarios."
Industry partners, meantime, say they recommend hiring Schulich internship students, as they are eager, willing to learn and provide a cost-effective way to increase productivity across their companies.
