Students at The University of Texas at Arlington are rapidly becoming the next generation of highly skilled electrical engineering professionals, equipped with the career skills that matter, thanks largely to a new program funded by a U.S. Department of Energy grant. UTA's Advanced Power & Energy Lab-to-Job-Training for Underserved Students (APLUS) program, conceived to practically bridge the knowledge students gain in the classroom with real-life industry applications, has been making significant strides.
As reported by the City of Arlington's official website, Shreya Nair, a master's electrical engineering student and an active APLUS participant, has successfully secured an internship at Megger, an electrical test equipment company. "If it weren’t for the APLUS program, I wouldn’t have been able to practice and execute my knowledge of power systems fundamentals," Nair told the publication. Her hands-on experience at Megger is a testament to the program's efficacy in preparing students for the job market.
The program, led by Dr. Liwei Zhou, an assistant professor in UTA's Department of Electrical Engineering, launched in April with a $200,000 grant. Its chief goal is to teach vital industry skills, including circuit board construction for electric vehicle chargers and other crucial power supplies. Zhou believes that expounding upon theory alone is not enough.
Dr. Zhou and his team took a step further by hosting seminars on campus featuring professionals from 10 companies within the energy industry. These seminars aimed to show students how to apply their newfound skills when seeking internships and, ultimately, full-time employment. "Our goals as professors are not only to explain theory but also to connect our students with industry and give them the experience needed as they graduate and go on the job hunt," Zhou said, as per the City of Arlington.
