There’s no limit to engineering’s impact on our day-to-day lives, so it’s only fitting that our recent regional community outreach wasn’t confined to National Engineers Week (Feb. 22-28).
On the heels of our “Engineering the Future” session at Rock Valley College on Feb. 24th, NIU’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET) held a similar event this Monday at College of DuPage.
Students from Neuqua Valley High School, Metea Valley High School & Waubonsie Valley High School (all within Indian Prairie School District) came to learn more about the bright future for engineering overall, as well as pathways through College of DuPage and CEET.
In his opening remarks, COD President Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi noted how his engineering degree and years as an engineer were instrumental in preparing him for his work in higher education.
“I’m very optimistic about your future, I‘m very optimistic about the engineering environment in our region,” said Siddiqi, who earned his Ed.D. from NIU. “There are more jobs than we have engineers.”
In addition to an expo where students met with industry representatives, panelists from International Motors, Hiwin, Woodward and Mitutoyo — along with CEET senior Michael Duraski, a mechatronics engineering major — provided students an inside look at the variety of opportunities available on the horizon.
At NIU, a key ally in tapping into opportunities are the CEET job and internship fairs, which are held twice a year. Those events are part of the college’s overall emphasis on gaining hands-on, real-world experience to supplement learning in the classroom, said CEET Dean Dave Grewell.
Duraski, who is working on a senior design project sponsored by Hiwin as he pursues a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, said he’s attended those fairs the past three years.
“Take advantage of those opportunities,” he encouraged students. “Even if you don’t manage to get an internship, take that as a learning opportunity to see, `OK, what I can do better next time?'”
Grewell, who served as panel moderator, touched on the variety of industries where NIU engineering graduates are working, including investment banking, medicine and entertainment.
“Every door,” he said, “is going to be open to you in engineering.”
CEET’s partnership with COD also drew media spotlight on Feb. 25th with an in-studio segment featuring Grewell and COD STEAM Dean Jen Cumpston on Fox 32 Chicago’s Good Day Chicago.
Hosted by Mike Caplan, the conversation underscored the longstanding connection between the two colleges.
Among other topics, they discussed pathways into engineering careers — and how hands-on learning, strong community partnerships and affordable options help students make the transition from classroom to career.
You can see the Good Day Chicago segment here.
