Ok so I just got back from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and from Purdue before that. I was actually impressed by Alabama’s mechanical engineering facilities. My ultimate goal is to co-op and work for Cummins. Both schools do co-ops with Cummins. However, Purdue’s ME program is highly ranked while Bama’s isn’t as much. Does rank even matter if both are getting me the job I want? Will Cummins choose a Purdue student over me? Bama will be 4k cheaper for me and I’d much rather southern climate, but my dad keeps pushing Purdue as if the status of their engineering program is super important. Also if I heard correctly Alabama won’t co-op until 3 semesters in, so can i go to school fall spring summer, then co-op the next fall? Thanks everyone, I may send an email or call Cummins and see what they say as far as hiring students.
Nevermind, don’t think Cummins co-ops with Alabama, it was just a sheet they gave me showing where ME’s will work. Grrr this is frustrating.
You are setting yourself up for frustration and heartache by wanting to only work for one specific company. College is about learning and exploring various areas and opportunities. You never know where your next job will be and what kind of opportunities it will provide. I’m still learning this decades into my career.
Thanks NoVADad99, I guess I’m getting ahead of myself. I’ve really been overthinking the whole college decision because Purdue and Alabama are tied for me when I weigh the pros and cons.
I know that Purdue has students who co-op with Cummins in Columbus IN where they are headquartered. Great small town by the way. The architecture is fascinating because of Cummins. I am sure they co-op at other plants as well.
Does Alabama do 5 term co-ops? Purdue does and it allows you to graduate with 22 months of work experience and a 4 year degree in 5 years. They tend to be paid well too. The extra two terms might narrow the cost gap, however it will do nothing about the weather. You will not be home much as you’ll either be working or in class. I’ve also read that Purdue’s Thermodynamics II is the # 1 hardest course in the country.
My understanding of Alabama co-op’s is that you’ll co-op your first summer (between freshman and sophomore year), your second spring (sophomore year), and your third fall (junior year). I’m not aware of anyone doing more than a three-term co-op, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be done - I just don’t know.
It would appear the OP is interested in automotive engineering. Would he be interested in the Co-op program UA has established with Mercedes-Benz which includes a semester of study in Germany plus work at the Mercedes plant down the road in Vance, AL.
Yea, I actually saw the plant it was huge and while I am not a Mercedes fan ('murica), I couldn’t imagine having a bad experience there. I just don’t want to end up engineering vacuum cleaners (no offense to anyone) after five years. Heard from someone else that their student co-op’d there and wasn’t offered a job. I looked up the May 2014 right after graduation rates at Purdue and 'Bama. Purdue had around 5% unemployed looking for jobs and 'Bama had 13%. So if I maintain a good GPA it sounds like either school will provide a job, but can 'Bama land me a dream job at cummins, kawasaki, honda motorcycles/racing, etc…I talked to an ME student there, very nice guy that toured me personally and showed me all the cool engines, that co-op’d with Honda down in Alabama. Can a co-op with Honda lead to a job in Honda racing etc… anyone know a guy who knows a guy who did something similar? Sorry I’m very indecisive right now and have like 19 days to decide lol
You might be interested in this too:
^^
hope so!!
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It would appear the OP is interested in automotive engineering. Would he be interested in the Co-op program UA has established with Mercedes-Benz which includes a semester of study in Germany plus work at the Mercedes plant down the road in Vance, AL. <<<
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That co-op sounds so cool!
here’s more info…
http://www.cw.ua.edu/article/2014/09/ua-starts-exchange-
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This year marks the beginning of the International German Student Exchange Program between The University of Alabama and the University of Applied Sciences at Hochschule Esslingen.
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When the plant manager at Mercedes-Benz expressed to University of Alabama President Judy Bonner the need for German-speaking engineers in his company, the college of engineering collaborated to form a program which incorporated the study of mechanical, electrical and automative engineering with the study of the German language.
“Typically exchange programs attempt to improve intercultural skills by giving students exposure to a foreign culture,” Bharat Balasubramanian, the coordinator of the exchange program, said. “In this program, we are going two steps ahead. We want our students to gain an exposure to the German education system by taking engineering courses in a German medium of instruction. They have access to all of the engineering courses offered in German, and they can easily immerse themselves in the culture, because they are proficient in the language.”
Students in the program will first complete two years of engineering and German language course work at The University of Alabama, as well as an internship the summer before their sophomore year with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance, Alabama.
The students will then travel to Hochschule Esslingen for one semester of course work and one semester of professional practice during their junior year.
Mercedes-Benz is not the only consumer in the program. Other industries in the Esslingen area include Daimler, Bosch and Behr.
Balasubramanian said the mission of the exchange program is to prepare students for the variety of German and multinational companies in the southeastern United States.
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Snipped from NovaDad’s link…
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A British automotive publication reported Friday that Aston Martin, the British luxury car maker, might build a new factory near the Mercedes-Benz plant in Vance.
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The publication, Autocar, quoted Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer as saying: “It is not decided yet, but clearly, with our arrangement with Daimler, it would make sense to look closely at the possible synergies of working close to them in Alabama.”
He said if the plant is built, it will be close to Mercedes’ Vance factory, which makes SUVs and sedans.
Autocar said Aston Martin likely would produce a version of the Aston DBX concept car, which could be based on the new Mercedes GLC, being made at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance.
Autocar said the plant, if built, would receive partly completed rolling chassis from MBUSI. It said setting up close to Mercedes would reduce the costs of transporting the rolling chassis and would allow Aston Martin to tap into the existing automotive suppliers in the Tuscaloosa area.
Autocar said the move would also allow Aston Martin to have access to the U.S. market, which is now the biggest market for crossover vehicles and SUVs.
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Fingers crossed that Aston Martin comes to Tuscaloosa County! If the automaker sees what UA has built to support that area of eng’g, they should be impressed.