"While working in the Orbit Flight Dynamics group at Johnson Space Center in Houston, I had the opportunity to train for a supporting position in Mission Control. I also was able to complete the certification of a program that is now used by the Flight Dynamics Officer. Since I have been back at school, I've seen the benefits of the skills that I learned in Houston. I've noticed that organization and time management come much more easily to me now than they did before co-oping. I also have an even stronger motivation to do well in my classes! "
Name: Adnan Burkic
Electrical Engineering Co-op
Co-op Job:
Jordan & Skala Engineers
Atlanta, GA
"I just want to take this opportunity to thank the professional practice department that we have at Georgia Tech for providing me and many others with a chance to see what it is really like to be out there and perform your job on a daily basis.
You guys are doing a phenomenal job in changing lives.
Thank You.”
Name: Drew Wimmer
Electrical Engineering Co-op
Co-op Job:
Department of Defense (DoD)
Ft. Meade, MD
“The co-op program has been an invaluable part of my experience at Tech. In addition to the opportunity to meet many new people, it provided me with a great deal of practical experience to compliment academic knowledge learned in the classroom. Additionally, it got my leg in the door for some really interesting full-time job opportunities, plus it gave me money so I wasn't the stereotypical broke college student. I highly recommend it for any engineering student, and if I were in charge I'd make it mandatory.”
Name: Rizwan Ladha
Int'l Affairs & Mod Lang Co-op
Co-op Job:
MBNA America Bank
Kennesaw, GA
“I was one of only 2 or 3 International Affairs majors who did co-op as an undergrad at Tech, and if I could go back and do it all over again, choosing to co-op is something I would never change. The experience I gained through the program has been indescribably helpful to me both while I was a student at Tech and in the real world.”
"Without a doubt, if it wasn't for the cooperative education program at Georgia Tech I would have never attended the school. As an out-of-state student, co-op gave me more ease with which I could pay for my education by spreading out classes over semesters and still keeping full-time student status. While working for ADTRAN, I was able to work on multiple projects that benefited the company and me, from a knowledge standpoint. By my 5th and last semester, I was receiving assignments that my manager would have assigned to any of the engineers working for him. While working for Test Engineering at ADTRAN, I was given projects where I had to find a circuit that would keep sealed lead acid batteries trickle charged so that they could be recharged from sitting on shelves for months and losing current-driving ability. Another project included redesigning a Total Access 600 test bank to operate on 1 product at a time (1-up) instead of the pre-existing 12-up product test station. This redesign included knowing all intimate details of how the 12-unit test station operated, a very enlightening experience."
“As a co-op at NASA, Johnson Space Center, I had the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research, provide real-time support of Space Shuttle and International Space Station missions, and perform field testing of robotics in the Arizona desert. I was able to make significant contributions to the space program through my work, and in return I gained invaluable training that has enhanced my education in ways that cannot be learned in the classroom. My co-op job has given application and meaning to my coursework and has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had at Georgia Tech.”
Name: Hammad Khan
Software Engineer
Co-op Job:
Leica Geosystems
Norcross, GA
“I started in the co-op program as an undergraduate student at Georgia Tech. Without the education provided to me in that program, I may never have learned the basic skills required to excel in graduate school, such as the self-started ethic and the ability to progress from being a good problem solver to a proactive problem finder. During my graduate co-op experience, I continued learning vital skills that are not taught in the classroom.
Georgia Tech’s co-op program allowed me to demonstrate my abilities so that even before graduation I was lucky enough to have two employment offers. Professionally, I find that companies prefer co-op graduates over students without co-op experience. I cannot stress enough that importance of taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the co-op program at Georgia Tech”
Name: Stephanie Sigalas
Math & Physics Co-op
Co-op Job:
Logistics Management Institute (LMI)
McLean, VA
“My co-op job at LMI is really turning into an eye-opening experience, because it allows me to finally learn what a "real" mathematics-based job would be like. Working at LMI has given me the opportunity to work on a variety of different projects, ranging from studies for the Department of Defense to ones funded by the Animal, Plant and Health Inspection Service. The research fellows that I work with have never been hesitant about giving me real work that relates directly to the company's clients. I’m really enjoying this experience, and it's very motivating to be working in an environment that values analytical thinking so highly.”
Name: Jeff Pitcher
Electrical Engineering Co-op
Co-op Job:
Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI)
Atlanta, GA
“This work term has been very insightful to say the least. By working with GTRI, I have had the opportunity to work on many different projects which has given me exposure to all aspects of what electrical engineers can do. I have also learned of possibilities with GTRI after I graduate as well as what other corporations have to offer. I've started to realize how much the co-op program has helped me. I can't imagine trying to go from school to work with no experience. I think the adjustment would be difficult and take longer when compared to having the experience I've gained through the co-op program. Now I feel that I have some knowledge of the working world and can handle myself in a business setting because I have a better understanding of what is expected of me.”
Name: Michael Lehrer
Computer Engineering Co-op
Co-op Job:
Intel
Folsom, CA
“Intel is awsome! So far I’ve learned more in 3 weeks than I did a full year at Tech. They really pack in the information, but it’s all interesting stuff. I am actually excited to go to work in the morning. I am very lucky to have gotten this co-op job.”
