College Education
2012 Fluid Power Scholars Industry Internship Program
What: The Fluid Power Scholars Program is a collaborative effort between the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP) and companies within the fluid power industry who are corporate members of the Center. This highly selective program identifies and connects outstanding undergraduate engineering students with the fluid power industry for the purpose of training the next generation of fluid power leaders.
Who: Sixteen Fluid Power Scholars have been named to date, eight in 2010, the program's first year, and eight in 2011. These students were/are enrolled in engineering programs at the following schools: Arizona State, Case Western Reserve University, Clarkson University, Georgia Tech, Montana State University, Purdue University, University of Florida, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of Missouri -Columbia, and the University of South Florida. The following companies sponsored these scholars: Caterpillar, Case New Holland, Deltrol Fluid Products, Enfield Technologies, HUSCO International, John Deere, Parker Hannifin Corp., Sun Hydraulics, and Tennant Corp. Plans call for naming eight Fluid Power Scholars in 2012.
When and Where: Fluid Power Scholars begin their summer internship with an intensive 3-1/2 day instructional program in fluid power technology at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)'s state-of-the-art component and systems laboratory. The 2012 dates for this orientation are set for May 21-25. Topics covered include identification of features of hydraulic and pneumatic systems; application of industry standards to hydraulic and schematic systems; analysis of circuits from a schematic drawing; understanding of the operation and applications of valves, cylinders, pumps, and motors; identification of the chemical and physical properties of fluids, etc. Following this instruction, each scholar begins a paid 9-10 week internship at a sponsoring company.
How companies can participate: Each company interested in participating in the 2012 Fluid Power Scholars program is asked to notify CCEFP staff of this interest and to post a description of its internship opportunity(ies) at the CCEFP website. In addition, each host company agrees to provide a stipend* covering travel to and lodging in Milwaukee during the MSOE short course, followed by a 9-10 week paid internship at one of its facilities for its sponsored scholar. The CCEFP is covering expenses associated with instruction. (*Travel costs will vary depending on students' location, but even in cases of long distances, the total stipend is estimated at under $1000.).
How students can participate: This program is open to undergraduate students who have successfully completed at least two years in an accredited engineering program in the United States and who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. Interested students should fill in an on-line application at a secured section of the CCEFP website. As a part of the application process, students are also asked to provide a resume, a transcript, a statement of purpose, and two letters of reference from faculty.
Student Recruitment: Undergraduates from leading engineering schools within and outside of the CCEFP network will be recruited to apply to the scholars program through the Center's contact network. The Center's corporate sponsors are also encouraged to recruit outstanding applicants through their own university contacts.
Selection Process: Applications will be placed in a password protected section of the CCEFP website. Host companies will have access to this section, using it to select candidates of special interest. Companies will then conduct interviews with these students and make their selections. Offers of sponsorship are made directly by the host companies. Selected scholars will be named by March 1, 2012.
Questions: Contact Alyssa Burger, 612-624-4991 or Linda Western, 715-696-3738.