Engineering Success Center

The Don and Susie Law Student Success Center offers undergraduate students with direct access to career services, state-of-the-art facilities, and employment opportunities.

Career Services

The Engineering Success Center is devoted to providing undergraduate engineering students with resume reviews, job search advice, salary negotiation tactics, mock interviews, and other resources to help further  engineering careers.

Career Fair

Fall 2017 Career Fair

The Engineering Fall 2017 Career Fair is open to all current CSU students and alumni. Recruiters from over 90 companies will be joining us at the Fort Collins Hilton on September 28, 2017 from 10:00am to 4:00pm in the Grand Ballroom. Students do NOT need to preregister for our event.

Companies: Registration is now open. If you have any questions please contact Terry Comerford: terry.comerford@colostate.edu

Students: Please wait for the start of classes, to find the most up-to-date WSCOE Career Fair Employers. 

Employers: Register Here
Students: Find Employers

Career Advising and Mock Interviews

Career Advising Staff

Hannah Mikelson (Mock Interviews)

Hannah Mikelson - Professional Headshot

Hannah is a fifth-year engineering student pursuing a dual-degree in biomedical and mechanical engineering with honors. Beginning her sophomore year, she has been a student of the College of Engineering Co-Op Program and since completed Co-Op rotations at Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing in Erlanger, KY; Zimmer-Biomet, Inc. in Warsaw, IN; and Stryker, Inc. in Kalamazoo, MI. Through these experiences, she has worked in quality, new product development, and manufacturing. Additionally, she has been involved in undergraduate research and has been President of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). She is currently the Vice President of SWE and is a Presidential Ambassador for the Office of the President. Through these experiences, Hannah has gained extensive knowledge about the interview process and is happy to share her knowledge of interviewing and professional development with others!

Aaron Benally (Career Advising & Mock Interviews)

Aaron_Photo_2

Aaron Benally has been the coordinator of Diversity Programs in Engineering (formerly WMEP) at CSU for over 10 years. He also advises several student organizations: SHPE, NSBE, SASE, and AISES. He is a career adviser at both the Engineering Success Center and the Career Center. Aaron is a graduate of CSU, and received a degree in electrical engineering with a minor in math.

Terry Comerford (Co-op)

terry---Scott-Bldg-FA15

As Director of the Engineering Success Center, Terry supports the recruitment, retention, professional development, and placement of undergraduate engineering students. Terry graduated with a degree in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech, and spent time co-oping in the textile and utility industries. After graduation, she worked in the oil and gas industry for 20 years in Amoco’s refining system. She was the lead recruiter for the Georgia Tech campus while working in many process engineering, financial, and managerial positions. She received her MBA from University of Houston. After moving to Colorado, she worked as consultant for a small engineering design firm, Ascent Engineering, before coming to CSU.

Stephanie Higgins (Mock Interviews) 

Stephanie is a senior in mechanical engineering. She participated in the Disney College Program in Orlando, FL, had an internship with Otter Products here in Fort Collins, CO and had a co-op with Cargill in Kansas City, MO. Stephanie is currently the CSU chapter president of the Society of Women Engineers. She is excited to provide guidance to students based on her interview, work, and leadership experiences.

Spring 2017 Appointment Hours

Mock Interview

Hannah (by appointment only):

Tuesday: 9-11 a.m.

Thursday: 9-11 a.m.

Aaron (by appointment only): 

Thursday: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Friday: 1-5 p.m.

Co-op | Salary Negotiation | Bridge

Terry (by appointment only):

Monday: 1:30-3 p.m.

Tuesday: 3-4:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 3-4:30 p.m.

Thursday: 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Friday: 10-11 a.m.

Resume Review

Aaron:

Monday (by appointment only): 1-5 p.m.

Tuesday: Drop-in: 1-5 p.m.

Wednesday: Drop-in: 1-5 p.m.

Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance, and drop-ins can sign in on a rolling basis the day of. To schedule an appointment with any of our staff members please contact the Engineering Success Center by calling
(970) 491-6220, or stop by Scott 102. 

Internships

The Engineering Success Center staff work with employers to keep internship postings up to date on Handshake, bring in relevant companies to the Fall and Spring Career Fairs, and hold Employer Info Sessions for students to expand their engineering network. 

Handshake

PLI Career Readiness Program

The Professional Learning Institute (PLI) was launched in 2007 to provide students with real-world, soft skills to complement the technical curricula they receive at Colorado State.

As a graduation requirement, students will develop expertise in many areas that are highly valued by employers. Interactive workshops are led by key industry leaders and Colorado State faculty and staff in each of these focus areas: cultural adaptability, leadership, civic and public engagement, innovation, and ethics.

PLI Career Readiness Day

Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your registered session/tour. We will open our waitlist roughly 30 minutes prior to the session occurring. Anyone who is not at the door by the time the speaker is introduced will not be able to receive credit for the session.

Evaluations for LinkedIn profiles are due May 12. LinkedIn evaluation credit will NOT be posted until finals week. If you are a graduating senior (i.e. in May), please e-mail terry.comerford@colostate.edu and request to have your PLI credit processed ASAP.

 

 

Manage Your PLI Status

Follow these links to register and evaluate workshops, check pending credits, and find upcoming workshops. If you have any questions or concerns, please visit the FAQ page or email pli_info@engr.colostate.edu.

 

PLI Resources

Follow these links to learn more about graduation requirements, receiving credits, and answer your questions related to the PLI program. 

"Create" a Workshop

Are you a student organization or faculty member looking to sponsor or put on a PLI workshop? Or are you a student with a unique opportunity representing one of our five focus areas? Apply today by filling out one of the following forms, and dropping it off at the Engineering Success Center front desk (Scott 102).

Diversity Programs in Engineering

Diversity Programs in Engineering (DPE) is here to help students be successful in the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering.


DPE is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive and supportive environment for all of our engineering students. We are building a strong community that embraces the creative ideas that minority groups contribute to engineering research and projects. In doing so, we come closer to the goal of finding the best solutions for global challenges.

Our office is located in the Scott Bioengineering Building in room 133 where we offer students access to a secluded computer lab, study rooms, a conference room, and more. 

Contact Us

For questions regarding DPE student orgs, summer camps, or office resources: 

Aaron Benally
970-491-6220
aaron.benally@colostate.edu

SUMMER CAMPS

Northrop Grumman STEM Camp | JULY 17-21
NORTHROP GRUMMAN STEM CAMP
JULY 17-21, 2017 | $180 PER STUDENT 

The Northrop Grumman and Colorado State University summer experience is designed to broaden STEM literacy and capabilities in all students who attend. Building confidence in pre-collegiate students to study and enter STEM fields is approached through a mix of enrichment activities that includes STEM instruction, building, designing, experimentation, and problem solving. Daily briefs and lunch speaker topics include career and educational guidance to encourage students to set goals and prepare for their educational future. Each of the five STEM content tracks are taught by role models from Colorado State University, University of Colorado - Boulder, and Northrop Grumman staff and student interns.

50% and 100% need-based scholarships are available for students.

Click here to learn more and register.

DPE Student Organizations

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
American Indian Science and Engineering Society

Mission: The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a national, nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, First Nations and other indigenous peoples of North America in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) studies and careers.

Meeting Time: Please check back Fall 2017.

Click here to visit the AISES website.

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
National Society of Black Engineers

Mission: To increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.

Meeting Time: Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m. in Scott Bioengineering room 231 (during the academic year).

Click here to visit the NSBE website.

Out in STEM (oSTEM)
Out in STEM

Mission:

  • To educate, empower, and engage a diverse community,
  • To identify, address, and advocate for the needs of LGBTQA students in the STEM fields,
  • And fulfill these needs through mentor-ship connections, networking opportunities, strategic collaborations, and professional/leadership development.

Meeting Time: Please check back Fall 2017.

Click here to visit the oSTEM website.

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)
Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers

Mission:

  • Prepare Asian heritage scientists and engineers for success in the global business world.
  • Celebrate diversity on campuses and in the workplace.
  • Provide opportunities for members to make contributions to their local communities.

Meeting Time: Please check back Fall 2017.

Click here to visit SASE on Facebook.

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers 

Mission: SHPE changes lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize their fullest potential and impacts the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development.

Meeting Time: Please check back Fall 2017.

Click here to visit the SHPE website.

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Society of Women Engineers

Mission: We are a student lead organization that strives to help women in the field of engineering form friendships, study groups, and gain experience through the interaction of other women in the field of engineering and other sciences. 

Meeting Time: Please check back Fall 2017.

Click here to visit the SWE website.

All Student Organizations

Cooperative Education Program

Our cooperative education program is an academic program that allows students to work at least three semesters, two of which are fall or spring, in a position related to their major.

Co-op participants gain at least a year’s worth of experience with the same employer and earn a competitive salary while working. Co-oping allows participants to further explore their chosen engineering discipline, build a powerful resume, develop a network of professional contacts, and help support their academic expenses.

Benefits of Co-op
  • Gain valuable engineering experience to focus interests and develop long-term career goals.
  • Able to apply theory from classes to solve actual engineering problems.
  • Opportunity to experience the “real world” as an engineer and develop a professional network.
  • Wages from co-op can help offset tuition fees. Co-op wages do not impact FAFSA.
  • Housing or living stipend is sometimes offered from the employer.
  • More likely to be offered a permanent position upon graduation.

 

Co-op vs. Internship

Time Commitment:

Co-ops are at least three work terms alternated with school, while internships are only one work term of about 12 weeks. 

Eligibility with Companies:

For co-ops, students can find positions after 3 semesters of engineering courses, whereas most companies are looking for juniors and seniors to fill internship positions.

Job Diversity:

Because of multiple rotations, students in co-ops have the opportunity to be given different assignments within a company, whereas internships are limited to one area of responsibility.  

Course Credit: 

Co-op students gain up to three credits that can be used as technical electives, where as internships are not credit bearing. 

Graduation Impact:

Co-oping extends graduation by a year giving you at least one full year's worth of experience, where as internships have no impact on graduation and offer you at least one term's worth of experience. 

Eligibility     

Students should be in good academic standing and typically in their sophomore year. Students must have declared their engineering discipline. Students should also have completed between 35-55 credit hours when they begin interviewing for a co-op assignment. Transfer students may apply during their first semester in the College of Engineering.

Co-op Process

Co-Op Checklist

Please complete each step sequentially: 

  1. Complete the co-op application.
  2. Meet with your advisor to discuss eligibility and create an academic schedule.
  3. Meet with the program coordinator Terry Comerford to discuss the co-op process and submit a work plan.
  4. Develop your resume and prepare for interviews.
  5. Begin your job search.
  6. Interview with companies.
  7. Meet with the program coordinator and finalize employer and university paperwork.
  8. Register for co-op courses on RamWeb.

After co-op rotation:

  1. Ask employers to submit an end of semester performance evaluation.
  2. Meet with the program coordinator to wrap up co-op term and submit work experience report.
Co-op Forms 

For the following forms, please select from the list to find the printable PDF. 

 

 

How to Apply

1. Fill out the co-op application and email the form to Terry Comerford: terry.comerford@rams.colostate.edu.

2. Make an appointment with your academic advisor to confirm your eligibility and create a co-op academic plan.

3. Once you have a signed the co-op academic plan, make an appointment with Terry Comerford through the Engineering Success Center front desk: (970) 491-6220.

4. Bring your signed academic plan and a hard copy of your resume to your meeting with Terry to discuss your co-op opportunities. 

APPLY NOW

The Co-op Experience

Meet Our Co-Op Students

Co-oping is a fast-paced and widely growing opportunity through which students are able to work in their field of study while further exploring their major, building a network of professional contacts, and earning a salary to help support their academic expenses. Check out what these CSU students have to say about their co-op experience!

Click on a student's name or photo to learn more about their co-op experience.

Briana Chamberlain

"This co-op was truly my best year of college yet. From working with the most hard-working and down-to-earth people, to the re-control project itself, I wouldn't change a single thing from the last year, and am so very grateful to have had this opportunity."

Julia Taussig

"It was a great experience, and I also got a better understanding of the importance of what I am learning at CSU," said Taussig. "My supervisor had two kids, so air quality was a personal concern for her and her family. As part of my work, I want to make…

Francisco Martinez

“The people that I worked with at Wolf Robotics were always willing to share their knowledge and experience. I would go through the program again in a heartbeat. I definitely recommend it.”

Olivia Ferrell

“I had the pleasure of co-oping with the Federal Highway Administration for two rotations. I grew as an engineer by learning about construction, road design, and management, because I was able to see two projects from the beginning of construction to the end (a rarity for summer internships), and did…

Forrest Craft

“I had the opportunity to do real-world engineering for a major corporation on the weekdays and travel the world on my weekends. When I wasn't designing repairs for one of the largest commercial fleets on the planet I was busy flying to Europe, South America or Asia. The co-op program…

Thank you to our corporate partners:


Thank you to our spring 2017 career fair sponsors:

 

Contact Us

Phone

(970) 491-6220

Hours

Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.