ENGINEERING CO-OP PROGRAM

Mechanical Engineering
www.mech.ubc.ca
www.ubc.ca/okanagan/engineering
Option Specializations
• Biomedical Engineering
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Thermofluids Engineering
In 2010/2011, the Mechanical Engineering Co-op
program began to see some stabilization in
employment opportunities after experiencing a
decline in opportunities since the 2008 economic
recession began. Although there continued to be
challenges for students, because of the economic
recovery, 285 Mechanical Engineering students
were successful in securing work terms.
The majority of Co-op students were employed in
manufacturing, consulting (with sub-concentration
in HVAC) and academic research with the greatest
concentration of work terms in Metro Vancouver,
followed by international locations. Forty-one
students gained enriching cooperative education
experiences in a variety of countries including
Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan and the United
Arab Emirates.
While Co-op provides industrial experience
enhancing students’ theoretical and project
courses, our students are also developing and
applying their engineering skill sets through active
involvement in the Engineering student teams
(e.g. Thunderbots, Formula SAE, Aerodesign Heavy
Lift and SAE Supermilage car), competitions
(e.g. Western Engineering Competition) and clubs
such as Engineers Without Borders.
400
historical work terms
360
NUMBER OF WORK TERMS
320
280
240
200
160
120
80
40
0
93/94 94/95 95/96 96/97 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 02/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11
ACADEMIC YEAR
industry distribution
10% Mining/Metals Refining
4% Oil & Gas
9% Academic Research
14% Other
5% Construction
37% Manufacturing/R&D-Various
17% Consulting - Various
4% Aerospace/Aviation
15