To favour an early exposure of students to professional practice, several engineering higher education institutions have implemented integrated curricula, as proposed in the international CDIO educational framework. In the 1990s, the French engineering education accreditation body introduced in its quality standards a compulsory internship period.…

Describes how internship and cooperative education programs can help companies "test-drive" candidates before hiring. Outlines the importance of having management commit to such a program, ways to document the program, advice on selecting supervisors and mentors, tips on selecting interns, orienting them, and evaluating them, and evaluating the…