Professional Enhancement - Coastal Carolina University
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Engineering Science

Professional Enhancement

Our new curriculum requires all engineering majors to complete at least 3-credit hours of internship (at least 150 work hours). Majors must also complete an additional 4 credits of experiential learning that may include; additional internships, service learning, study/intern abroad, professional certification, Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, independent study, graduate courses, and other approved activities.

By the time of graduation, all our students will have participated in at least 600 hours of design, engineering and/or professional enhancement activities. Towards this end, we are strengthening our relationships with our graduate and technical institutional partners, expanding our public-private-partnerships with industries and developing international curricular infrastructure and global initiatives.

Please explore each of the sections below and the various links for Professional Enhancement Opportunities

Jobs and Internships 

Before applying to jobs and/or internships:

Register for ENGR 495 Engineering Internship
All engineering majors MUST complete at least 3-credit hours of internship (at least 150 work hours). Internships can be completed in increments of 1-credit hour (at least 50 hours of work) or in blocks (i.e., 2-, 3, 4-7-credit hours). To receive credit for an internship experience, students MUST be registered for ENGR 495 Engineering Internship course.

The following steps will assist in the efficient processing of the application for internship placement (read all steps carefully before starting the process).

1. Access relevant forms and documents below:

START OF INTERNSHIP

a. Code of Conduct for Student Interns (PDF) 

b. Internship Learning Contract (PDF)

c. Memorandum of Understanding (PDF)

d. ENGR 495 Internship Syllabus (PDF)

END OF INTERNSHIP

a. Internship Work Hours Log (PDF)

b. Engineering Workplace Competencies Gap Analysis Worksheet (excel)

c. Student Evaluation of Internship (PDF)

2. Carefully read and sign the CODE OF PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR STUDENT INTERNS (only Intern’s signature is required on this form).

3. Student and the Employer Supervisor must carefully complete the INTERNSHIP LEARNING CONTRACT (multiple signatures required on this form: Intern’s, Employer Supervisor’s and Intern’s Faculty Advisor OR Engineering Program Director).

4. Student and the Employer Supervisor must carefully read and complete the MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. (multiple signatures required on this form: Employer Supervisor’s and Intern’s Faculty Advisor OR Engineering Program Director).

5. Return all three (3) forms and the ENGR 495 syllabus to your Faculty Advisor OR the Engineering Program Director (ghitt@coastal.edu).

6. Your Faculty Advisor OR the Engineering Program Director will forward completed applications to the Director of Internships (Career Services (LJSU A-203C). 

Potential Internship Sites in South Carolina

Campus Opportunities

Independent Study Projects may be available with Engineering Professors. To register for ENGR 397 Independent Research complete and submit to Department Chair (ghitt@coastal.edu):

Internship with Environmental Quality Lab (https://www.coastal.edu/eql/)

  • Ideal for engineering majors pursuing Civil Engineering Concentration and/or interested in Environmental Engineering/Water Quality
  • Available to ALL engineering majors for Professional Enhancement credits
  • Every semester
  • $8.25/hour during 1st semester (up to 20 hours/week)
  • $10.25/hour after probationary 1st semester
  • Contact: Dr. George W. Hitt (ghitt@coastal.edu)

Internship with the Coastal Waccamaw Stormwater Education Consortium (http://cwsec-sc.org/)

  • Ideal for engineering majors pursuing Civil Engineering Concentration and/or interested in Environmental Engineering/Water Quality
  • Available to ALL engineering majors for Professional Enhancement credits
  • Every semester
  • $8.25/hour during 1st semester (up to 20 hours/week)
  • $10.25/hour after probationary 1st semester
  • Contact: Dr. George W. Hitt (ghitt@coastal.edu)

Engineering Tutors/Learning Assistants

  • Every semester
  • $8.25/hour during 1st semester (up to 20 hours/week)
  • $10.25/hour after probationary 1st semester
  • Contact: Dr. Matt L. Lykins (mlykins@coastal.edu)

Engineering Tutors with Writing Center

  • Every semester
  • $8.25/hour during 1st semester (up to 20 hours/week)
  • $10.25/hour after probationary 1st semester
  • Contact: Mr. Scott E. Pleasant (sepleasa@coastal.edu)   

CoBE Institute: Apply: http://apply.cobeinstitute.com

  • Ideal for engineering majors pursuing Innovation Design Concentration
  • Available to ALL engineering majors for Professional Enhancement credits
  • The Community and Business Engagement Institute (CoBE -- pronounced “KOH-bee”) is an associate-led professional organization that bridges the gap between business theory and workplace experience by pairing high-achieving young men and women with real-world business-consulting projects. Individuals selected as CoBE Associates receive intensive training, professional development, and first-class mentoring as they prepare for careers in today’s fast-paced and rapidly evolving business world while providing high-quality solutions to our valued business clients.
  • Contact: Mr. Peter Gasca (pgasca@coastal.edu)   

Georgetown RISE: https://sites.google.com/view/georgetown-rise-internships/apply  

  • Ideal for engineering majors pursuing Civil Engineering Concentration and/or interested in Environmental Engineering/Sustainability
  • Available to ALL engineering majors for Professional Enhancement credits
  • Contact: Dr. Pam Martin (plmartin@coastal.edu)

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs)

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs) are competitive summer research programs hosted by various universities (e.g., Drexel University, Georgia Tech, etc.) across the country and internationally. REUs are typically sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). For a list of REU opportunities please visit: REU Sites: Engineering

Spivey Undergraduate Summer Research Internships: https://wfscjobs.tamu.edu/jobs/undergraduate-summer-research-internship-georgetown-sc/

  • The University of South Carolina's Baruch Marine Field Laboratory (BMFL) in Georgetown, S.C., is offering two 10-week summer research internships for the summer of 2021. Undergraduate interns will work with BMFL scientists, UofSC faculty, and graduate students in support of research in the North Inlet and Winyah Bay estuaries focusing on: 1. Estuarine Nekton Ecology: Examination of habitat use through field sampling for fish and invertebrates in salt marsh and tidal creek habitats; laboratory experiments investigating nekton behavior and environmental tolerances; statistical analysis and interpretation of field and laboratory data; and 2. Floating Treatment Wetlands: Determination of the suitability of wetland plants and fully biodegradable floating treatment wetland designs in brackish and freshwater systems; entails field work and laboratory analysis coupled with interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data.
  • These full-time internships will run for 10 weeks from late May to early August (start/end dates are somewhat flexible), pay $12/hour for a 37.5 hour workweek (which may include some weekend work), and provide free housing in the BMFL dormitories.
  • Contact: Dr. Bill Strosnider (bill@baruch.sc.edu) or Dr. George W. Hitt (ghitt@coastal.edu)

Visit the following CCU sites for additonal information:

Career Services

Service Learning

Study Abroad

Professional Licensure, Registration and Certification

One of the Program Educational Objectives of the Engineering Science Program is within 3-5 years of graduation, graduates are expected to engage in ongoing professional development activities including but not limited to, certification and licensure. A Professional Engineer (PE) is the engineering profession’s highest standard of competence, a symbol of achievement and assurance of quality. The PE license Graduates of ABET-accredited programs who work in the engineering workforce can enhance their credentials through licensure, registration and certification where appropriate. Graduation from an ABET-accredited program is increasingly a required minimum credential for such professional recognition.  These credentials:

  • Demonstrates your competency, qualification and expertise in professional practice.
  • Shows your commitment to understanding professional, ethical and societal responsibilities.
  • Emphasizes the protection of the public health, safety and welfare within society.

Licensure and registration: Licensure are demonstration of ability or knowledge required by law before being allowed to perform a task or job (e.g., FE and PE exam, 4 years of progressive experience). In the United States, professional licensure is regulated at the state level. Registration is an application before a local state or jurisdiction that allows an engineer to practice in that state or jurisdiction (e.g., registration with South Carolina State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors to practice in South Carolina).

Certifications: are earned from professional societies (e.g., D.WRE Board Certification is the highest level of advanced post-license certification offered in the water resources engineering profession and is awarded by the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers.

The Engineering Science Program is developing and offering a formal course (ENGR 396 Professional Development Hours: [NAME OF CERTIFICATE, e.g., Project Management, LEAN, Six sigma, etc]) that will be the vehicle for assessing certificates to award credit towards fulfilling the Professional Enhancement graduation requirements.

Before undertaking a certification course, please see your Academic Advisor OR Program Director (ghitt@coastal.edu)

Becoming a Professional Engineer (PE)

Professional registration is an important goal for engineering graduates. Many engineering jobs require a PE license to work as an engineering consultant or senior engineer, testify as an expert witness, conduct patent work, work in public safety, or advertise to provide engineering services. Although you may never need to be registered for “legal” reasons, you may find that you need to be a PE to be eligible for engineering management positions or other promotions. On the average, PEs make significantly more money than unlicensed engineers. While it may not be explicated stated that you need a PE license early in your job or career, you may need it later – so start the process now.

The following steps are required to become a licensed Professional Engineer:

  • Graduate from an ABET-accredited engineering program.
  • Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam – can take it as early as junior year, recommended for senior year.
  • Work as an engineer for four years.
  • Pass the Professional Engineering (PE) exam (you cannot take the PE exam without first passing the FE exam). Engineering majors can take both the FE and PE exams right here on campus at the Academic Testing Center. Both the FE and PE exams are administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Exam registration and scheduling is handled by Pearson VUE.

·         Video on Steps to be a Professional Engineer

State of South Carolina

·         South Carolina State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Surveyors regulates Professional Engineers, Professional Surveyors, and firms offering or providing engineering and/or surveying services.

·         Under the Early PE Exam program, South Carolina allows candidates who have met the educational requirement for licensure AND passed the FE exam to sit for the PE exam PRIOR to completing four (4) years of work experience. You will still need to satisfy the four (4) years of work experience before official registration is conferred.

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam

You can take the FE exam as early as your junior year. If you are a graduating senior, take it now. There will never be a better time for taking the FE exam than the final semester of your senior year when the topics covered by the FE exam are still fresh in your mind. Those who wait until later, spend countless hours trying to relearn material they once knew, and tend to have much lower pass scores than those who take the exam closer to graduation.

The Engineering Science Program will be developing and offering a formal review course (ENGR 396 Professional Development Hours: Fundamentals of Engineering Exam). As an incentive, students who pass the FE exam on their first try will have their registration fee refunded. Please take the exam very seriously, you must prepare.

How should students prepare for FE Exam?

  • Starting with catalog year 2020, Engineering curriculum covers the majority of the topics for the FE OTHER DISCIPLINES CBT Exam.
  • When it becomes available, take the FE preparation course ENGR 396 Professional Development Hours: Fundamentals of Engineering Exam.
  • Take one or more trial examinations from PPI or NCEES.
  • Download a free copy of the Fundamentals of Engineering Supplied-Reference Handbook. Become familiar with it. This Reference Handbook is supplied to FE exam takers at the exam. Most questions on the exam concern topics covered in this handbook.
  • Study using preparation materials available from NCEES or PPI.

Grow Your Network 

Networking is essential to job search. You expand your network by developing and maintaining connections and relationships. In the process, you are building priceless social skills and creating opportunities to advance your career.

Engineering Program’s External Advisory Board

Engineering students are encouraged to connect with members of the Program’s Advisory Board. The purpose of the External Advisory Board (EAB) is to provide advice and support the success of Coastal Carolina University’s Engineering Science Program and its students through administration of the process for reviewing and revising the program educational objectives and to advise on strategic areas of curriculum development, research, raise discretionary or special purpose funds and outreach. One of the key responsibilities of the EAB to help the Program’s student body succeed. The Board members should be passionate about helping the students become successful professionals. This is accomplished in the following ways:

  1. Open Door Policy - Not as a formal Program, but more of viewpoint, the Open-Door Policy indicates the Board members' willingness to provide guidance and insight to Engineering Science students on an ad hoc basis through the students' initiative,
  2. One-on-One Mentoring Program - This Program is designed to provide undergraduate students with a mentor with professional experience who can help the student plan for their professional life while at Coastal Carolina University,
  3. Reservoir of Expertise – contribute expertise by collaborating with the Program as consultants or speakers.
  4. Capstone Project Preparation and Presentation – assist in sourcing and providing real-world project ideas, collaborate with faculty and students on project completion and/or judge project presentations.