ARIEL CO-OP Program

With guidance and structure, while working in a team environment, our co-op students are allowed to make a real impact on the company. The co-op students are challenged to work on actual, business-related engineering projects alongside Ariel engineers. Experiencing what a professional engineer does daily is why the Ariel Engineering Co-Op Program is the top choice among aspiring engineering students.

The co-op student's first rotation with Ariel Corporation begins by attending our New Employee Orientation (NEO) program to overview our organization and processes. Following the orientation's completion, the student will spend time on the shop floor and experience our product first hand in the operations experience track. Once the student has a clear understanding of our products, they will move to a rotation in one of the engineering tracks.

Ariel Corporation is looking for dedicated, enthusiastic, and promising talent that aspires for a career in engineering. Our co-op recruitment process also looks at students' academic records and their interpersonal skills, work experience, hands-on mechanical experience, flexibility, and adaptability to work in a team-based environment. In return, Ariel provides a rewarding and challenging co-op learning experience in which future engineers work alongside skilled professionals in a mentoring relationship.

During the student's rotation, they will progress through a variety of learning opportunities, including classroom instruction, operations experience, on-the-job training, research, hands-on projects, and work experience. As a result, the co-op student will begin to develop the following skills and behaviors:

1. Work with a team of professional engineers while demonstrating critical thinking skills, business work ethics, and technical abilities.
2. Perform tasks and responsibilities with extra attention to detail, completeness, and accuracy.
3. Plan, initiate, manage, research, report results, and follow through on projects while demonstrating leadership skills, communications skills, and business knowledge.
4. Contribute to the project's quality by applying technical skills, critical thinking, communications, and academic coursework.
5. Demonstrate professional behavior in communications, follow-through, business etiquette, time management, and interpersonal skills.
6. Communicate with co-workers at all levels within the organization in a variety of work situations by listening attentively, asking well thought out questions, presenting information appropriately and effectively, writing and speaking clearly and succinctly, taking the initiative to keep their mentor and Engineering Co-Op Program manager informed of work progress and handling confidential information appropriately.
7. Handle working relationships in a professional manner by taking accountability, following up, and communicating effectively.

The co-op student's first rotation begins with an orientation, required by all new employees of Ariel Corporation. During this training, the co-op student will learn our safety procedures and requirements, corporate policies, product training, computer systems, ISO standards, and more. Following orientation, they will progress through the Operations Experience track of guided learning with skilled professionals and on-the-job trainers. These departments and functions include:

Following their operations experience, the student begins their assigned engineering track to work on value-added engineering projects with professional engineers in a team setting.

Co-op students meet periodically with the Engineering Co-Op Program manager for curriculum updates, soft skill development, feedback, questions and answers, and coaching. In addition to regular ongoing feedback, the students also receive end-of-rotation performance evaluations from their mentors.

When the co-op returns for their second rotation, the student may be assigned to a different engineering department. Mentors will assign co-ops more complex projects, which will enhance their learning experience as an engineer.

The co-op program manager mentors the students on their soft skills, professional development, and consistency throughout the program. As the student begins their engineering track, the manager will appoint the student to a mentor who will provide guidance on the company's organizational culture and professional development.

Both the mentor and co-op program manager will guide the student through their experience and help them grow professionally while developing organizational talent. High performance, valuable contributions, and professional skills make the co-op experience beneficial for everyone. A mutual commitment of everyone involved develops the skills, abilities, and behaviors. The mentor and program manager contribute by providing methods for the student to engage in the work environment while the student's contribution involves an openness to learning.

Integral parts of the learning process are clear communication of the company expectations, commitment from the mentor, and follow-up on the student's progress. By providing the student with continual feedback – plus formal performance reviews – the student will have a clear understanding of their progress and areas that need improvement. The mentor and co-op program manager will help the student succeed by creating opportunities and sharing knowledge in formal and informal settings.

The Mentor and Co-Op Program Manager will:

• Prepare and plan for a valuable learning experience for the student.
• Communicate goals for the co-op assignment and performance exceptions.
• Show commitment to the student by providing necessary training, tools, and resources for their tasks and projects.
• Meet regularly with the student and provide feedback on performance and productivity.
• Encourage the student to participate in professional activities.
• Address any concerns or issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Provide a performance evaluation for the student and to the student's university.
• Wear many hats and play many roles, such as the communicator, counselor, coach, adviser, and primary contact.

The mentors and co-op program manager meet regularly with their co-op students for coaching and updates. The mentors communicate regularly with the co-op program manager for updates and follow-up, reviewing the co-op's Individual Development Plan (IDP), and discussing their student's progress.

Individual Development Plan:

The mentor is responsible for creating an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for the student, thus "customizing" the student's co-op experience. The student's progress on the IDP will be monitored by the mentor throughout the student's rotation to ensure their success. The IDP and the student's progress provide a basis for the student's evaluation a the end of the rotation.

Co-op students are required to give an oral presentation summarizing their experience at the end of their second rotation. The presentation will be given to a team of selected senior managers, their mentor, and the engineering co-op program manager to evaluate the student.