Industry Partners
Creating a world-class engineer takes more than just an exceptional education, it takes integrating that education with real-world experiences. Working closely with our industry partners, UD engineering students are on the leading edge and have that competitive advantage.
Industry partners can engage engineering students in the pathway that best suits their business model. The programs we offer are mutually beneficial to both the student and the industry partner. To get started, contact Colleen Bretland at cbretland1@udayton.edu or call 937-229-4496
Professional Development Seminars
All engineering students participate in a series of professional development seminars in each year of their academic plan. These seminars are key to introducing students to available career opportunities. The seminars develop the whole engineer by enhancing their professional communication skills and instilling keys to success post-graduation as well as discussions of career planning, mission, vocation and much more. Industry partner participation is critical to the success of the seminars.
Lobby Brand-Building and/or Recruiting Events
During the academic day, industry partners have the opportunity for visibility and interaction in the lobby of Eugene W. Kettering Engineering and Research Laboratories (Kettering Labs). Partners are provided a table to set up their industry display and any SWAG or items they bring for the students. Engineering students pass through this central hub and welcome the opportunity to engage the industry partners and learn more about their organization and career opportunities. At the conclusion of the event, the industry partner is provided the contact information for those students that scanned in at their table.
Information Session
Held primarily in the evening and typically for 1 hour in duration, industry partners can host an event for students highlighting their organization, exciting advances and career opportunities.
Professional Society Student Chapter Involvement
Industry partners can work with campus groups affiliated with the National Professional Societies (IEEE, ASME, ALChe, ASCE, etc). These organizations host a variety of events such as team competitions, monthly meetings, speaker dinners, facility tours and more. These events provide the opportunity to observe students in leadership roles and engage students through guest-speaking, networking and sponsorship.
Industry partners connect with engineering students for the purpose of experiential learning and full-time employment. Based on the industry opportunities, they can engage at the university or engineering level. Engineering students are supported by the School of Engineering Co-op and Internship Office for work-based learning opportunities integrated into their academic plan. This office works closely with the UD Career Services team to transition students to full-time employment opportunities upon graduation. To get started, contact Colleen Bretland at cbretland1@udayton.edu or call 937-229-4496
Career and Internship Fairs
Scheduled each semester for all majors, these events provide an opportunity for employers, students and alumni to meet and discuss job opportunities. Employers are invited to visit our campus and meet with students and alumni from all majors seeking employment for internships, co-ops and full-time opportunities. Career and internship fairs are typically scheduled for September and February; additional information can be found here. Contact Career Services at careerservices@udayton.edu
Engineering Co-op and Internship Program and On-Campus Interviews
Getting out and experiencing the world of engineering through full-time paid co-op or internship is invaluable real-world experience. Students are encouraged to work two to five semesters with the goal of working multiple semesters for a single organization. Students seamlessly interleave full-time work semesters into their eight semester academic plan. These experiences are beneficial to both industry and the student. Students build their confidence in their engineering knowledge and skills and develop a clarity in the direction they want to take their career. Industry partners build relationships and start to generate a potential pool of future employees who are trained and can contribute on day one after graduating from UD.
Hosted three times per year, the School of Engineering Co-op and Internship Office hosts interviews on UD’s campus for industry partners seeking students for both co-op and internship positions across all engineering and engineering technology majors. In a single day industry partners can interview twelve or more potential co-op/intern candidates that apply to their open positions. For employers unable to make the scheduled events, other arrangements can be made. To get started, contact Colleen Bretland at cbretland1@udayton.edu or call 937-229-4496.
Innovation Center
The Innovation Center provides space for active and practical student engagement. Our mission is to educate and develop world-class leaders who create new products while working effectively at disciplinary intersections to meet the needs of the industrial, societal and business communities. This first year experience introduces students to challenges in our local community. Students work in small teams using the Engineering Design Process to develop solutions and create a final prototype.
In addition, the Innovation Center houses the senior design capstone for mechanical and aerospace engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and all disciplines within engineering technology. Project examples include designs for test fixtures and electrical and computer systems; improvements for the manufacturing process; and ergonomic studies of existing, modified or new processes and designs just to list a few.
The newly developed Leonardo Enterprises also operates within the Innovation Center. Leonardo Enterprises serves as a new business incubator and investment program at the School of Engineering for all University of Dayton students, faculty and staff who want to start their own technology-based business. Leonardo Enterprises invests in new startups by supporting members with lab space, co-working office space, engineering support, business mentoring and education, and more.
Finally, the Innovation Center works across university disciplines providing students with experiences working on interdisciplinary teams on projects for local entrepreneurs and other new business startups. These resources are closely linked with the School of Business Administration's Entrepreneurship Program at The Hub in downtown Dayton. To get started, contact Rebecca Blust at rblust1@udayton.edu or call 937-229-2581
$195 million
in annual sponsored research last year