Engineering internships hold a promising future, according to an announcement made by President Obama’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness on Wednesday.
In an effort to address the nation’s engineering shortage, 45 industry leaders have committed to double the engineering internships available at their companies in 2012, along with five additional companies that have agreed to increase their internships.
The commitments, part of a greater effort by the Jobs Council, are expected to produce at least 10,000 more graduated engineering students each year, and add approximately 6,300 additional opportunities for hands-on, technical job training for future students, encouraging those at Eastern Michigan University.
Connor Swielz, a senior, felt relief when he heard the news.
“My younger brother wants to study engineering at (Michigan State University) when he’s done at (Washtenaw Community College),” Swielz said. “He’s capable of the work and grades are proof, but I’ve always worried how he’d make it. He doesn’t have many connections yet because he’s straight out of high school, and it seems like in order to get a job these days, you have to have internship experience. So I really hope this opens some doors for him.”
Swielz considered the same career path before similar factors deterred him.
“I always excelled in math and science, so I used to wonder if I could make it as an engineer too,” Swielz said. “But after learning how hard it is to get accepted into some of the programs and then not even have a secured job, I was reluctant.”
The President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, along with the Business Council, Business Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers and the American Chemistry Council, expect the nation’s leaders’ attempts will positively influence students and nurture the job market at the same time.
Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini, who co-chairs the Job Council’s High Tech Education working group, spoke at Wednesday’s announcement.
“Looking forward, this nation is at risk of a significant shortfall of qualified experts in science and math to meet the country’s needs,” he said. “Today’s announcement is about inspiring and encouraging our next generation of engineers. It’s a private sector commitment working arm and arm with the government to accelerate the specialized skills needed for America to retain its technological pre-eminence.”
Senior Kellie Mack, who is on track to begin student teaching this year, agreed change is necessary for students.
“We need to equip our students as best as we can and as early on as possible to make sure their eligible for their future plans,” Mack said. “Everyone keeps saying ‘There’s a shortage of math teachers; there’s a shortage of science teachers; Americans can’t compete with foreign academics anymore.’ Well why is that? And why did it take this long to do something?”
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of American graduates grew by 50 percent during 1990-2000, but the amount of engineering students stagnated at around 120,000. Conversely, around 1 million engineers graduate from universities in India and China every year.
Mack said she hopes to make a difference too, after moving on from Eastern.
“I want to inspire my class as much as possible, and for them to understand how they can overcome anything,” Mack said. “I don’t want anyone feeling like they can’t succeed, because that’s too much of our problem now.”
