Our featured student this week is Connor McCollom, a mechanical engineering major who worked three consecutive semesters at BAE Systems in Kingsport, Tennessee.
“I thought it was really important to do a coop instead of an internship,” said McCollom. “My experience might have been different than some because I worked for an explosives manufacturer.”
The first semester of McCollom’s time with BAE involved mostly training related to the manufacturing process for the explosives being produced. As he moved into the later stages of his first semester on through the second semester, he was given more responsibilities on the job.
“As the coop progressed into my third and final rotation, I managed a project to completion as a fully functioning engineer,” he said. “Working a coop assignment verses an internship has given me a wealth of experience both for future interviews and for future careers.”