Student Testimonials
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- English
- Environmental Science
- Graphic Design
- Psychology
- Sports Administration
UTC Biology Major, The Center for Environmental Biotechnology
"My internship (animal rehabilitation intern) provided me with several valuable
things. First was affirmation that rehabilitation and animal husbandry are
career choices that I will enjoy and pursue. Secondly, I gained the essential
experience necessary to acquire a job in this much sought after field…Lastly,
I gained personal satisfaction and purpose to my job through successful rehabilitation
and releases of animals."
UTC Biology Major, Chattanooga Nature Center
"Since I
work in an analytical lab with analytical chemists on the Organic Team, theory
that I learned and experience that I gained from my Quantitative Analysis and
Organic Chemistry courses help me to better understand in-depth what I do on
the job and why. In turn, I learn many things on the job that I probably would
not pick up in the classroom or from a textbook. Oftentimes, I can better understand
the theory if I perform the practical application and then go back to research
the theory for deeper understanding. For me the process that leads to understanding
can work either way."
UTC Chemistry Major, TVA
"Technical
problem solving is the basis of all UTC engineering classes. I was able to
easily relate the problem solving skills I learned in my classes to many of
the day-to-day issues I was faced with at GE during my co-op terms...I definitely
advise all students to get involved in UTC’s co-op program. Actually,
I think it should be mandatory for engineering students. You can never
understand the benefits of incorporating work with school until you’ve
experienced it. Not only does it build confidence and give you an edge over
those students who have not participated in the program, but it makes your
classes so much more enjoyable when you can relate the concepts you’re
learning to your past work experience. Also, it is so much easier to find a
post-graduate job when a company has already spent the past few years investing
in you, and ultimately, that is the goal."
UTC Industrial Engineering Student, General Electric
(To find out more about this student's co-op work experience, refer to the
following article featured on UTC's home page: "Co-op Experience Lights
Up Career for Engineering Student.")
"Overall, I think the co-op assignment is valuable experience
for my future. No matter how many hours are spent in a classroom, one cannot
have any idea how the real workplace is without experiencing it. New graduates
without any experience in a given field generally require 3-6 months of additional
training before they are productive members of a team. So this co-op assignment
is like polish to add to my degree, because I will have work experience and
will require less training in an engineering job than a person with just a
degree."
UTC Mechanical Engineering Major, TRW-Koyo
"Before I left DuPont a couple of people asked me if I was interested in DuPont's
Field Engineering Program. About a month later I got a call (phone interview)
and was later flown to Wilmington, Deleware for a personal interview. Most
of the questions asked dealt with things I did during my co-op time at DuPont
in Chattanooga. About a month after the interview, I received a
job offer for after graduation in May. Thanks to my co-op experience,
I was offered a higher starting salary and title."
UTC Chemical Engineering Major, DuPont
"Working as an intern for TVA opened many doors and made many opportunities
available to me."
UTC Mechanical Engineering Major, Tennessee Valley Authority
"True North Custom
Publishing does over fifty publications for local and national clients. In
addition, they also produce an on-line magazine called My Health Publisher. I
have personally written over forty articles during my internship for many different
publications...I can include (these) in my portfolio since they will all be
published. I've been able to work with a lot of very kind, funny, knowledgeable
people and have learned some important tricks of the trade...It has been a
rewarding experience in many ways."
UTC English Major, True North Custom Publishing
"Before I started working at WFLI, I saw television as a world of glamour,
money, and magic. Now I realize that it is a business, organized along
the same principles as all other businesses. When I watch television
now, I see the work behind it...The long hours spent by small screen actors
and actresses...countless hours in the editing room...the puzzle-like framework
of commercial breaks and the sweat of the account executive who pounded the
pavement to get those commercials on the air...Really great television is like
a beautiful painting: even if you have seen every brushstroke that went into
its creation, the finished work is more than just blended color and clever
painting techniques- it is magic."
UTC English Major, WFLI-TV (WB 53)
"In
my time at Dalton Utilities, I worked mostly in their pre-treatment department. In
this department employees perform industrial inspections, maintain a new grease
trap ordinance, and coordinate spill prevention and clean-up if necessary...This
co-op experience has resparked my interest in school by learning what is out
there and how important education is in the work force...This experience has
enabled me to narrow down which direction I want to take and has provided me
with many connections that could possibly help start a career when I graduate."
UTC Environmental Science Major, Dalton Utilities
"During
the past three months, I have gained an immense amount of knowledge and experience
in the fields of graphic design and advertising. I have had the opportunity
to broaden my skills to include a good understanding of production as well
as more expansive knowledge and experience using Web design and animation software. Not
only have I honed these technical skills, but I have learned to work with my
coworkers within the traditional hiearchy of an ad agency. These skills,
I believe, are invaluable in today's fast-paced workplace."
UTC Graphic Design Major, Thomas Media Group
"Applied
Behavior Analysis is an excellent way for a psychology major to learn about
the learning systems in autistic children as well as see operant conditioning
in its true form….I want to be a counselor for children who need someone
to listen to what is going on in their lives and teach them how to handle it.
This dream my not fit with the present occupation, but the traits learned throughout
doing this therapy will be very helpful in the future. It is an introduction
to the types of behavior problems children may portray and it is a beginning
to learning the process of psychology."
UTC Psychology Major, Families for Early Autism Treatment
"This
was the first job I have acquired that has been related to my major and career
plans. The only previous work experience I had before this was working
fast food jobs...I consider myself fortunate to have received a card from the
Co-op Office in the mail...and the result was finding a summer job related
to my major. It is helping teach me how to maintain control of a group...
and (decide what ages I want to coach in the future)."
UTC Sports Administration Major, St. Nicholas School
