Industry Practicum
When looking for employment, students have discovered that employers increasingly demand significant practical work experience in addition to sound academic knowledge. The optional Industry Practicum provides an opportunity for students to enhance their education by integrating their engineering and computer science knowledge with workplace practice. Industry Practicum positions are paid, full-time positions, developed with employers, which allow students to complete 8 months of quality work experience directly related to the field of study.
The students' academic and Industry Practicum experiences combine to produce a comprehensive learning experience that enriches their academic programs and adds direction to their career development. Participation in the Industry Practicum helps students to make intelligent, informed, reality-based career choices for the future
Frequency Asked Questions
- Q: Who can participate?
- A: The Industry Practicum is available to University of Rochester students pursing degrees in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences or in Computer Science. Students must have completed 48 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0.. Students have the option of participating during the second semester of their junior year or the first semester of their senior year, in combination with the contiguous summer.
- It is important for students to meet with their faculty advisors to plan their potential participation in the Industry Practicum to ensure that they meet department requirements. Faculty advisors will assist students in curriculum planning since course overloading may be necessary.
- Q: What are the benefits?
- A: When looking for employment, students have discovered that employers look for significant practical work experience in addition to a sound academic grounding. By participating in the Industry Practicum, students have the opportunity to acquire experience that will increase their marketability to employers after graduation.
- Industry Practicum positions offer the opportunity to apply knowledge and acquire skills in actual working conditions. The Industry Practicum adds direction and meaning to academic learning and provides a forum for valuable exchange of information and understanding between students, employers and faculty.
- Industry Practicum students gain eight months of work experience at competitive wages to help defray the costs of college education. Industry Practicum students develop a strong network of industry contacts.
- Q: Am I guaranteed for an Industry Practicum position?
- A: No. There is no guarantee of interviews, placements or specific wages. The Industry Practicum is a competitive program. Students will compete for available positions in their field of interest. Interviews and/or company visits may be required.
- Employers will make the final hiring decision and are not obligated to hire, if they find no suitable candidate. University of Rochester students may be in competition for a limited number of placements with students from other institutions.
- Q: How will participation in the Industry Practicum affect graduation?
- A: During the Industry Practicum, students will not take any classes. As a result, four and a half years time will be necessary to complete the usual four year academic program. Faculty advisors should be consulted early to help students plan course selections for the semesters immediately preceding and following the Industry Practicum experience.
- If students wish to participate in the Industry Practicum and complete their academic degree in four years, they may overload, but should be aware that credits in excess of 16 per semester, used for the purpose of accelerated graduation, must be paid for at the tuition rate in effect at the time the credits were taken.
- Q: Will I be able to develop my own Industry Practicum position?
- A: Yes. Students are encouraged to develop their own positions in industry, even outside of Rochester or New York State, using personal or professional network contacts to create the position. The career advisors at the Career Center will be able to assist in all steps of this process, from resume writing and interviewing to job search strategies, company identification and networking.
- Q: What will my academic status be while I am away doing the Industry Practicum?
- A: The status of Industry Practicum participants maintain student classification with the Registrar's Office as full-time University of Rochester students. Since students receive no credit hours towards graduation for participating in the Industry Practicum, they do not pay tuition for the semester they are away.
- Q: Can I participate in the Take-Five program if I participate in the Industry Practicum?
- A: Students can apply for Take-Five while they are on Industry Practicum, provided that they will be returning to campus to complete at least one more semester.
- Q: When do I pay the engineering equipment fee?
- A: The engineering equipment fee is assessed during the fall semester of the junior and senior years. You are responsible for paying this fee even if you are on the Industry Practicum when it is assessed.
Please visit or E-mail Lisa Norwood in the Dean's Office (Lattimore 306-A) or the Career Center (Meliora 307), as well as your faculty advisor, during the process to address any questions or concerns.