Over the past 30 years, engineering mechanics and mechanical engineering students in MechSE have collaborated with companies and institutions on more than 1,200 Senior Capstone Design projects in our ME 470 course. Through hands-on projects, undergraduates become well-prepared to develop and communicate real-world design solutions through a curriculum that begins during their first year.
Now, the MechSE Department has launched one of its most exciting collaborations yet. Through a new Industry Allies program, companies and organizations can earn exclusive membership benefits and access to talented Illinois students in addition to working on a capstone design project with a student team.
As an Industry Allies member, companies may choose to work with some of the brightest young engineering minds in the world on a capstone project, along with faculty advisers who are renowned for cutting-edge research, directing leading research centers, and challenging students to make their own contributions to society. Allies benefit from student teams' daily access to premier maker facilities in MechSE’s brand new MakerWorks.
Industry Allies membership benefits are robust, including one or more student team design projects, access to a student resume book, three-hour company networking event, informational “Tech Talks” with MechSE student groups, interview space in the Sidney Lu Mechanical Engineering Building, job postings in the department’s weekly student newsletter, and more.
"We seek to partner with our industry allies in a mutually beneficial way by connecting our bright students looking for great opportunities with industry partners interested in hiring great talent or seeking a novel solution. Membership is an excellent path to realize this shared goal and share in its future journey," said Damon McFall, sponsored projects coordinator.
To learn more about becoming an Industry Allies member, email dmcfall@illinois.edu.