Comparing the Learning Experiences of Male and Female Engineering Students in Internship and Cooperative Educational Opportunities

Many studies share clear benefits from engineering student involvement in cooperative and internship programs. Students increase in motivation and self-efficacy; they gain specific technical skills as well as improved abilities to apply knowledge, solve problems, and communicate professionally; their improved understanding of the work environment also aids in their career decisions. However, little research has been done to compare these important learning outcomes between male and female engineering students. This study considers research on learning differences between males and females and then looks at how male and female engineering students discuss their co-op and internships experiences. Surveys included both open-ended and likert-scale type questions, with over 200 students responding. Males and females were found to have no difference in overall satisfaction with the cooperative experiences and level of responsibility they were granted. However, females were somewhat less likely than males to say that the experience provided significant engineering training, and they were less likely to say that their mentors were always available for questions. In discussing their learning, females were more likely to cite improved professional communication skills and time management skills, while males were more likely to describe improved technical skills. These findings suggest that students should reflect on what they hope to learn within cooperative experiences in order to find a best fit for them and suggest learning experiences to their mentors. Additionally these findings imply that cooperative program coordinators and mentor engineers should ensure broad based experiences for interns in order to best meet diverse needs and wants.