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Georgia Tech's co-op program is more than 90 years old — one of the oldest in the country and one of the best. In step with the times, it last year launched a plan for working abroad.
The program launched its international plan in 2005 to give students a chance to develop a better understanding of their majors in a global context.
"The recruitment of top-notch talent from America's best colleges and universities is a very competitive business," said Debbie Gulick, international practicum coordinator. "We want to produce graduates with skills and international experience needed to succeed in today's global environment."
The cooperative education program creates a partnership among employers, students and the university, she said.
Students alternate semesters of full-time study and semesters of full-time work in a five-year academic program that got its start at Tech in 1912.
It is also the largest "totally optional program" in the country with about 3,000 students and it is one of the most respected, solidly entrenched in the U.S. News & World Report top 10 rankings.
In 2002, Tech's cooperative education program changed its name to the Division of Professional Practice, Cooperative Education and Undergraduate and Professional Interns.
More than 700 employers hire Tech co-op students throughout the United States and overseas. Among companies participating in the international program are Siemens, Lufthansa, Alcoa, Michelin, General Electric, BMW and IBM.
In 2005, the Briarean Society, Tech's cooperative honorary society, inaugurated the co-op employer of the year award. The first award was presented to Atlanta-based McKenney's Inc., mechanical contractors and engineers. The firm had 19 Tech co-op students employed at the time and had worked with about 450 co-op students since 1976.
The second award presented in 2006 went to NASA Johnson Space Center. NASA employed 13 Tech co-op students last year and has hired Tech co-op students since shortly after its founding in 1958.
For information about the international intern program contact Gulick at Debbie.gulick@dopp.gatech.edu or visit http://www.profpractice.gatech.edu/employers/work_abroad.html.
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