Transcript The International Plan: Global Competence for

Developing Globally-Minded Engineers
through Education and Experience: An
Examination of International Coop/Internship Program Models
A CED Presentation
ASEE National Conference
June 21, 2006
Chicago, IL
Panelists
Debbie Pearson – Assistant Director, Cooperative Education,
Georgia Tech
Debbie Gulick – International Practicum Coordinator,
Georgia Tech
Gayle Elliott – Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati
Karl Zimmer - Plant Manager, General Cable
Jenny Oliver - Outbound Program Manager, IAESTE United
States
The Need for
Work Abroad Programs
Benefits
for
Students
Industry
Schools
Profession
Benefits for Students
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Prepare for global economy
Master a foreign language
Enhance employability upon graduation
Gain vital cross-cultural exposure
Improve communication skills
Grow personally and socially
Expand engineering skills and ability to practice
discipline in other cultures
Benefits for Universities
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Gain world-wide visibility
Increase the flow of technology between the institution
and industry
Foster students’ critical thinking skills
Offer a value-added education to attract best
students
Meet ABET requirements
Benefits for Industry
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Attract highly-motivated students
Establish ties with key universities
Gain employees with global perspective
Gain employees with language skills
Develop future leaders for your company
Work Abroad Programs Upgrade
Entire Engineering Profession
Resulting in . . .
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Flexible, adaptable workforce that can respond to
other cultures’ methods of analyses and problemsolving
Engineers who understand global context of
economics/international commerce
Engineers who better understand global health,
environmental, and security issues
Georgia Institute of Technology
Work Abroad Program
Origins of the Work Abroad Program
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International co-op
Office of International Education and the Division of
Professional Practice working together
Student initiated
Informal work abroad program
The International Plan
• Part of Georgia Tech’s Quality Enhancement Program
http://www.oie.gatech.edu/internationalplan/
• All undergraduates enrolled in the International Plan must spend
at least 6 months abroad
• Need a formalized Work Abroad Program to create
international work experiences
Goals of the Work Abroad Program
1. To give Georgia Tech students a global
understanding in their field of study through
experiential education
2. To provide quality international and cross-cultural
experiential education for Georgia Tech students
3. To connect international companies and Georgia
Tech students
4. To assist Georgia Tech students in finding
satisfaction and success as a life-long, globallyminded learner
Design
1. International co-op
Year
1
2
Academic Academic
Fall
Studies
Semester Studies
Academic
Spring
Semester Studies
Summer
Semester
Optional
3
Work
Term
4
Study
Abroad
Work
Term
Academic
Studies
International
Work Term
Academic
Studies
Work
Term
International
Work Term
5
Academic
Studies
Academic
Studies
2. Single summer, semester, or year-long internship overseas
3. Domestic internship followed up by an international
internship
4. Study abroad then work abroad
Logistics of the Program
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Full-time audit credit
Visa/work permit assistance
Health and safety abroad information
Cultural information
Pre- and post-assessments
Challenges
1. Location of the Work Abroad Program on campus
– centralized or decentralized
2. Continuous marketing and promotion of the
program to students and faculty
3. Work abroad is labor intensive!
4. Financial resources
5. Lack of data
Successes
1. Tech has centralized the Work Abroad Program
in Division of Professional Practice
2. Tech has set aside money for international
endeavors as Tech sees the importance in an
international education for students
3. Office of Assessment/Division of Professional
Practice are working together with the Office of
International Education for joint assessments
Funding
Quality Enhancement Program (the International Plan
is part of Georgia Tech’s Quality Enhancement
Program). For the next five years, Georgia Tech
has budgeted over $4 million for the Institute’s
International Plan. The Work Abroad Program
receives a portion of this funding to assist in
finding international work experiences for
students.
University of Cincinnati
International Co-op Programs
(ICP)
Gayle G. Elliott, Assistant Professor
Division of Professional Practice
Karl Zimmer, Plant Manger
General Cable, Jackson Plant
International Co-op Program Structure
UC / ICP - five-year curriculum
 One year of co-op experience in the US
 German, Japanese, or Spanish language and culture
preparation
 Choice of international electives
 Capstone six-month co-op abroad
 Additional international opportunities available
UC Structure of ICP
General Cable Overview
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Headquartered outside of Cincinnati, OH
World leader in manufacture of copper & aluminum
wire and cable
$2 billion in sales
20+ manufacturing facilities in N. America, Oceania,
Europe, and China
8,000 employees
UC – General Cable Partnership
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Top ten employers
• 30 students annually
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Alternating terms in multiple sites
• Consistent availability of candidates is key
• Students willing to stay for 2+ quarters
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International co-op assignments in Mexico
• Two ChE’s in 2005
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Potential international assignments in France,
Spain and China
Tips for Universities
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Create a program to utilize and enhance your
strengths
Offer something extra -- make it easy for employers
to choose you
• Expats are no longer the “norm” in business; take
care of the administrative side for employers
Keep your alumni involved
Tips for Employers
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Why not send students overseas?
While students are overseas, supervisors and
colleagues help by taking time to speak their
language with American students
Assess abilities and give students as much
responsibility as they can handle
Don’t get pigeon-holed by students course of study
Why Do It (University)
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Cost is less than full-time employees (with families,
relocation costs, etc.)
Co-op Students can fill short-term needs
Contacts and knowledge from US assignments assist in
international environment/project work
Opportunity to evaluate success in an international
environment
Why Do It? Employer
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Recruiting & Development
• Especially for the top students
Culture
• Transfer cultural experiences
Communication
• Breakdown traditional barriers
ROI
• Co-ops can be risk-takers and find the “big
solutions”
IAESTE United States
Developing Global Skills in Tomorrow’s Technical
Leaders
Origins of IAESTE International
Internship Program
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Founded in 1948 at Imperial College, London
Network of 80+ countries around the world,
facilitating the annual exchange of 6,000 engineering
and science students
IAESTE United States Local Committees at 27 top
engineering and science universities; the nations
premier membership organization for internationallyminded students and professionals
IAESTE United States offers programs for technical
students and professionals aimed at developing
global competencies
Goals of the IAESTE International
Internship Program
1. To provide students in higher education with
international technical experience relevant to
their studies
2. To offer employers well-qualified and motivated
international interns
3. To develop the global skills of science and
engineering students
Design
1. Reciprocal Program
2. Practical training providing students with handson experience
3. All internships are paid by the employer
4. Usually 8-12 weeks, but longer internships are
available
5. Placements in more than 35 countries; local
language knowledge is not required
6. Accommodation and in-country assistance
provided by IAESTE Network
Design (Continued)
1. September-January: students register online
2. Early February: available internships are posted
to registered students
3. Mid February: students list preferences and are
nominated for internships by IAESTE United States
staff
4. February-June: Employer final acceptance,
Predeparture orientation, visa and work permits
obtained, accommodation arranged, departure
of students
Challenges
1. Reciprocal nature of the problem- must find
domestic internships
2. Keeping costs low for students
3. The confusing and ever-changing world of visas
and work permits
4. Off-campus location makes it difficult to provide
in-person predeparture orientations
Successes
1. Local Committee students identify 75% of
domestic internships, enabling more U.S. students
to go abroad
2. Taking advantage of the IAESTE network: visa
and work documentation, placing unique majors,
in-country support in emergencies, arranging
housing, providing local knowledge, planning
cultural events for students
3. Increasing the number of countries receiving U.S.
students by promoting non-traditional destinations
Funding
Funding is fee-based:
Outgoing-Student application fees ($35, $50)
Student placement fees ($350, $500)
Incoming- Employer hosting fee ($600-$1750*depends on duration of program)
*includes J-1 visa, insurance for intern
Conclusion
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Employers increasingly require global skills
Universities with work abroad programs attract top
students and prepare students to succeed in their
careers
Work abroad programs follow various models but
share many of the same benefits
Thank you!
Questions?