IDEA CENTER
Institutional Development, Employment and Internship & Alumni
Its purpose is to establish and supervise the implementation of policies designed to maximize the ability to attract diverse funds to the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. Primarily, this area conducts meetings with donors and potential donors to create and foster collaborative and contributing relationships. Therefore, it formulates goals and presents strategies for fundraising campaigns and supports institutional initiatives aligned with these purposes. In addition, integrating the university’s vice presidencies, schools, departments, and offices into the institutional development efforts becomes part of the projects that foster a culture of collaboration and commitment.
Employment and Internships
Based on the academic programs of Polytechnic University, this area performs activities and identifies cooperative education or co-op opportunities, internships, and jobs for students and graduates within private industry and government agencies. These actions and strategies allow recipients to contribute most effectively and competitively to our society. In addition, this office plans and coordinates events aimed at the professional development of current students and alums.
Current students participating in Co-Op Programs and internships find they can validate these experiences for academic credits through the Professional Practice course (COOP 3010).
Qualifying for our Services – COOP’S and Internships
- Fill out an Application Form
- Attend a group or individual orientation
- Prepare a resume in English prior to any referral for job interviews
- Sign the Program Agreement and Legal Consent to Disclose Information
- Be a third, fourth, or fifth-year student needing at a minimum of 20 credit-hours to graduate, or with at least
90 passed credit-hours
- Have a cumulative academic general grade point average of 2.50 / 4.0 or higher
- Be enthusiastic and responsible
- Participate in employer’s interviews
- Present US citizenship or Visa documentation (If required)
- Is registered at the Professional Practice course (COOP3010) three (3) credit-hours/free elective course (If required)
Placement Program Requirements
The Placement Program purpose is to provide students with career-related experiences in business, industry, and government.
- Fill out an Application Form
- Prepare a resume in English prior to any referral for job interviews.
- Sign the Legal Consent to Disclose Information
- Participate in employer’s interviews
- Present US citizenship or Visa documentation (If required)
COOP 3010 – PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Three credit hours. Prerequisite: 73 credits approved and IDEA Center Director’s Approval.
Course with a cocurricular perspective. The student will receive training in soft skills development necessary for an efficient performance in the professional environment. In addition, the student will be exposed to a practical experience in cooperation with private industry or government to be jointly supervised by the academic department, Career & Internship Services Program, and an official or staff member from the industry.
Course Code | Course Title | Type of Course | Prerequisites | Credit – Hours |
COOP 3010, Section 39 | Professional Practice | Blended (face to face & virtual modality) | a. Completion of at least the first 31/2 years of study for engineering or architecture students, 2 years of study for Business Administration students. b. Minimum of 2.50/4.00 GPA | 3 |
COOP 3010 (E), Section 39 | Professional Practice Extension | Blended (face to face & virtual modality) | a. Completion of at least the first 31/2 years of study for engineering or architecture students, 2 years of study for Business Administration students. b. Minimum of 2.50/4.00 GPA c. Continuing a previous project. | 1 |
Assessment
- Essay based on an article with a focus on a professional environment.
- Technical Project
- Performance Evaluation
Grading
A Excellent (4 honor points per credit-hour)
B Good (3 honor points per credit-hour)
C Satisfactory (2 honor points per credit-hour)
D Deficient (1 honor point per credit-hour)
F Failure (0 honor point per credit-hour)
WU Student abandoned course without authorization
(0 honor point per credit-hour)
I (with Grade) Incomplete with a grade (Points will be equivalent
to the grade that accompanies the Incomplete)
Internship and Mentor Programs
Students may be able to participate in local and national work-related experiences pertinent to their course of study. Career awareness and placement activities are incorporated into student life as a pre-step to applying for a summer internship. Internships are optional, but a preferred experience for students. No guarantee of placement shall be made or implied.
Students are eligible for mentor assistance as another form of a personal career guidance opportunity. Community leaders and business professionals collaborate with students on a one-on-one basis as needed, or present vital information at open forums on campus.
Alumni
Includes the following:
- Fostering relationships between graduates – Establishing connections between graduates and the academic community encourages collaboration to find innovative solutions to social issues and global challenges. This interaction and the creation of working groups facilitate the exchange of experiences, professional knowledge, contributions, and the development of projects between both parties.
- Everlasting memories of university days – Reminiscing academic experiences can strengthen human relationships. The Alumni Association is a place for graduates, and the entire academic community, including faculty members and current students, to meet, inspire each other, and share stories and fields of specialization. Therefore, it contributes to creating a lasting professional relationship between the members of the Association and the Institution.
- Furthering graduates’ professional development – The IDEA Center, through alliances and collaborations with the public and private sectors, encourages the exchange of information, technology, and particular skills to enable all association members to access the job market. Furthermore, this exchange of knowledge and experience fosters the continuous professional development of its members. In this way, graduates have the power to become high-level professionals as they achieve a global vision.
