Local Companies Contribute to Strong UST Engineering Co-op Program

Since its inception two years ago, the University of St. Thomas Engineering Co-op program has grown quickly as new companies from wide-ranging industries join the endeavor.  Approximately 15 students have participated in the program which enables students to earn academic credit for their work with engineering companies during the academic year.  Among the companies that have enrolled in the program are St. Jude Medical, Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., Remmele Engineering, Eaton, Truth Hardware, Mclean Thermal, Caterpillar, Emerson, and Food Systems Design.

“Our partnership with Twin Cities regional industries is an invaluable dimension to the St Thomas engineering educational experience, cites Don Weinkauf, Dean of Engineering.

Zachary Helgeson, Mechanical Engineering Junior is Co-oping with Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. in Minneapolis.   Helgeson said, “The St. Thomas Co-op program gave me an opportunity to gain real-life experience working in the medical device industry.”

Sarah Anderson who Co-ops with Emerson suggested that it was the softer skills learned in the Co-op which she really benefitted from.  “I learned valuable lessons about the work place such as how to communicate with others how to get something done, how to give effective presentations, and project management.” 

“By working full-time during my Co-op, I was able become a dedicated member of my group and participate in the projects at a higher level than if I was interning part-time”  adds, Paul Venable, a UST Mechanical Engineering alum, “My Co-op experience at St. Jude Medical opened up a new career pathway for me."

 “What few think about is how Co-op students add to the classroom once they return to finish their sequence,” added Weinkauf, “Co-op students inject their experience in classroom discussions and share it with their design teams, spreading the benefit even further.”

The School anticipates the Co-op program will continue to expand as both industry and student inquiries are rising.

 The UST Engineering Co-op program is being led by Mechanical Engineering Professor John Abraham.  For more information, please feel free to contact Dr. Abraham (651-962-5766, jpabraham@stthomas.edu )