Spotlight: Kevin Dinshah

Where he did his co-op: Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Philadelphia, PA.

Job description: Interned in two different areas of the Auxiliary Steam Controls Division during his first and second co-op cycles.

How he got the job: On-line, through Drexel's Steinbright Career Development Center. "It was very easy. The whole process was done over the computer, except for the actual interview."

Duties on the job: The first month of his first co-op cycle included extensive on-the-job training to give him an overview of the company. His main responsibilities included creating AutoCAD designs of pneumatic and electronic control systems for Navy ships and building the actual systems based on these computerized models. During his co-ops, Dinshah worked as an integral member of NSWC's engineering staff.

What he learned on the job: Dinshah extensively expanded his knowledge in computer programs he'd learned at Drexel, such as AutoCAD and Excel, as well as honed skills he'd learned in CoE's project-oriented design program. "When you're on the job, you just learn so much more—you become so much faster on the computer programs you learned in school."

Job perks: "I traveled to Seattle two times, to Norfolk, Va. and to Jacksonville, Fla. You also have a chance of going to Japan, Hawaii or San Diego. They'll send you anywhere there's a naval base. And it's all paid for—it's a fantastic opportunity."

Salary: $12,000 for a 6-month co-op cycle. In addition, the Navy has a program that partially pays for interns' schooling based on how much time they put in on the job. Because Dinshah's heading back to NSWC for his third co-op in March, they're paying for four full terms of his tuition and books. Dinshah has also signed on with NSWC for a full-time job after he's graduated.