Early Engineering Engagement | Enthuse, Educate and Employ

Over the past few years, engineers studying at Michigan State University have had an increasing appetite for employer interaction at an earlier stage in their schooling, creating a dynamic that opens new doors of creativity and controlled chaos for industry exposure.  Beginning at academic orientation, the message is sent that students need to build their network early and establish connections that will lead to co-op and internship experiences throughout their undergraduate studies.

In terms of interaction, first-year students have shown up in record numbers at career fairs, preparation workshops, and non-traditional sessions to connect with alumni and recruiters for information on the company and opportunities available, to learn about careers paths in certain industries, and to simply have a conversation.  

Enhanced student engagement comes at the level of:

• Having over 550 first-year students in attendance at a first time networking session with 10 companies in the dormitory of the residential engineering program on a Tuesday evening... the first full week of class.
• Seeing growth in student attendance at the Engineering Pre-Gallery: Co-op / Intern Exchange by over 60% in a one-year span, which is an event designed to connect first- through third-year students with experiential opportunities.  (See the cover photo for a view down one of the halls of the Engineering Building at the Pre-Gallery)
• Running waiting lists every time Practice Interviews with employers become available, many of which were first- and second-year students preparing for their first hallway conversation, career fair, and formal interviews for co-ops and internships.

As a company, this may encourage an internal discussion of what to do with these early engagers, compared to simply issuing the response of, "We are not looking for freshmen, so stop by are booth again next year" ... or what many students interpret as, "Do not waste our time today, come back when we "want you"."  Take this as an opportunity make an impact on the student by providing guidance and possibly offering mentorship early on, compared to turning them at their first impression of you.

ENTHUSE
Show interest!  If a students comes to your booth at a career fair or hallway session, or connects with you through another form, you have to power to leave an impression that will leave them wanting more.  Get them excited and show enthusiasm in the conversation and connect them with resources that will help them strengthen their candidacy moving forward.

EDUCATE
Let them know what stands out from one candidate to the next, when evaluating talent.  While still at the easily impressionable level, share ways and insight on how they can expand on their skill sets and interests, whether it is exploring certain student organizations, becoming active in volunteer or community projects, or engineering outside of the classroom ( whether it is building an app or car for the first time ).  Provide guidance and be a mentor.

EMPLOY
This may be a ground-breaking strategy, but there are truly roles in most companies for first- and second-year students, whether it is a profressional role as a multi-semester co-op or entry level hardware/software tech position at the help desk.  I understand that a first-year computer science student does not have the skills of a fourth-year with multiple internship experiences under their belt.  I also understand that scholars studying university curriculum in a technical area, such as engineering, are bright students who want the opportunity to learn.  Co-op is often the golden ticket to develop these early hires, but there are ways to entertain these students in non-traditional roles as well, that will strengthen the recruitment pipeline and talent development with the new wave of interest.

If you have some best practices that you would like to share, whether it is from your corporate university recruitment strategy OR student engagement approach(es) as a university, or would simply like to engage in discussion, your posts are certainly welcomed and encouraged!