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Early Industrial Experience Program (EIE)A Guide for StudentsWhat is Early Industrial Experience?The Early Industrial Experience (EIE) is an 11-week co-op placement during the summer between students’ freshman and sophomore years. Arrangements have been made for students to live on campus where they will have access to program support staff, faculty, and university resources. In addition, they will learn more about living and working in Northeast Ohio through their placements and planned group activities. EIE is modeled after the cooperative education program which enables students to alternate classroom studies with career-based experiences in industry. For decades, Case’s Co-op Program has served as an extension of the classroom: a learning experience designed to integrate classroom theory with practical experience and professional development. Now we extend this invaluable opportunity to the next generation of up-and-coming engineers so you can start sooner, learn better, and discover new career avenues before you choose your final course of study. EIE is housed under the dean’s office of the Case School of Engineering in the Office of Engineering Student Programs (OESP). Benefits of EIE
EligibilityStudents are generally eligible for co-op after their fourth or fifth semester. However, EIE gives students the opportunity to start earlier than that. EIE takes place during an 11-week period in the summer between a student’s freshman and sophomore years. Students are not required to have chosen majors before applying for EIE. In all cases, eligibility is determined by the department pertaining to the field in which the student would like to work and the co-op staff. EIE is voluntary and non-credit. The program does not add or reduce the amount of necessary course work. The co-op staff will host EIE meetings starting in late January to give interested students more detailed information about the specifics of the program. Students must submit applications by mid-February to be considered. Once all of the applications are in, all EIE candidates will conduct a preliminary interview with a co-op coordinator to discuss individual interest and qualifications for the program. Students will be selected for the program based on a number of criteria, including the application, previous experience, leadership, extracurricular activities, grades, and professionalism. These are general criteria to assist us in evaluating student readiness for the program and we do not expect any student to have accomplishments in all of the above. We encourage everyone with interest to apply. The co-op staff will work with selected students on a one-on-one basis to improve resumes, conduct mock interviews, and find the right student-employer fit. Requirements
The EIE ProcessAttend an orientation meeting to obtain information and an explanation of the EIE process. These meetings are held in Nord 304A.
The co-op staff assists students in choosing companies of interest, designing professional resumes, refining interviewing skills, and focusing on career direction. The co-op staff sends all cover letters and resumes to various employers and assists in arranging interviews. Most interviews are conducted on campus. Choosing EmployersThe Cooperative Education Office acts as the liaison between student and employers. However, students are encouraged to participate in the job search process, under the guidance of the EIE director. Some students may find their own assignments, although they must be located in Northeast Ohio and related to one of the approved academic majors. Appropriate arrangements are to be made through the co-op office in order to ensure the assignment is approved. Students are under no obligation to work for their EIE company for their future co-ops During Your AssignmentAn EIE report is due at the end of the summer. This report will be reviewed by the co-op staff, faculty, a department chair, and the employer. The employer will complete student performance evaluations both mid-way through and near the end of the pre-co-op assignment. Faculty ParticipationIn each of the participating departments, one faculty member is designated as the co-op faculty advisor. These faculty members are available to advise students, may assist in the selection of appropriate companies for assignments, and must sign all EIE applications. Faculty will also be accessible to students during their time on campus during the summer. Community events will be planned with faculty participation where students can ask questions and get to know more about the various courses of study the engineering school has to offer. PayEIE is a paid work experience. While average student compensation for a summer program is $10-15 an hour, or around $400 a week, this may vary by employer. Housing and Health ServicesWe encourage all EIE students to live on campus as part of a learning community throughout the summer. Housing assignments will be on South Campus so that students can move in over the summer and potentially stay in the same housing through the academic year. This location also offers close proximity to parking as well as an RTA stop on Cedar Avenue. Students who are from the Cleveland area may choose to live at home over the summer. All EIE assignments will be located in Northeast Ohio with student transportation/commute limitations in mind. University Health Services provides EIE students its full range of medical and counseling services over the summer. Students who purchased the University Health Plan during their freshman year have coverage extended through August. Students who are not insured with their parents and did not purchase the health plan for the academic year have the option of purchasing unlimited summer access to University Health Services for $60 (amount due at time of first service). Tuition and FeesNo tuition is required for EIE. Students are responsible for living and commuting expenses. Although it is our goal that EIE salary cover these expenses, students may also apply for need-based financial aid. Since students will not be registered for academic credit for the summer, they will not get any scholarships or grants normally reserved for the academic year. For the same reasons, EIE students cannot apply for federal Stafford loans for the summer. Financial aid will be available in the form of private loans to those students whose parental contribution/income level deems them eligible. Students who would like financial aid for the summer must apply in the spring before starting their EIE.
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