Career and Co-op Ambassadors represent the Engineering Career Development Center (ECDC) at functions across UA’s campus and serve as peer advisors for students seeking professional development and experience. Co-op is open to all majors.
The Career and Co-op Ambassador team looks forward to connecting with you in classroom settings and in professional development events throughout the year. Please feel free to reach out to an Ambassador with relevant Co-op or Career questions via email. If you are interested in serving as a future Career and Co-op Ambassador, please reach out to Linley Wallin at lklane@ua.edu.
Ella Howard, a senior from Gadsden, Alabama, is pursuing a degree in civil engineering at The University of Alabama. She completed a co-op with the University’s Construction Administration in Tuscaloosa, where she served as both a project manager and field coordinator. In this role, Ella oversaw a variety of campus construction projects, including new building developments and remodels. Her responsibilities provided valuable firsthand experience in project management, coordination, and team communication.
Through her co-op, Ella strengthened her leadership, organizational, and professional development skills, preparing her for a future career in civil engineering. She also gained a deeper appreciation for campus operations and the history behind its structures, which made her work especially meaningful and strengthened her pride as a UA student.
Ella is available by email at ekhoward@crimson.ua.edu. She is happy to provide guidance for civil engineering students, new or current co-op students, and those interested in learning more about her experiences. In addition, she is actively involved in several engineering clubs, a sorority, and campus ministries, and is glad to answer questions about these extracurricular opportunities.
Emily is a mechanical engineering and physics student who has completed a co-op with NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. She has been able to apply what she’s learned in the classroom to her projects as a co-op. She has had the opportunity to meet several astronauts, flight directors, and senior staff while at JSC, as well as network with other interns from universities across the country.
Emily is available by email at ejgokie1@crimson.ua.edu. She can provide information on NASA’s Pathways Internship Program and moving out of state for a co-op.
Ethan is a senior mechanical engineering student from Tallahassee, Florida. He completed three co-op rotations with LSB Industries in Cherokee, Alabama, where he worked with both operations and maintenance teams. His projects included upgrading valve systems, designing new pipe layouts, developing inspection plans for fixed equipment, and leading safety and reliability improvements. Through these experiences, Ethan strengthened his technical foundation, gained project management skills, and grew as a leader. He credits the Co-op Program with expanding his confidence and preparing him for his future career as an engineer. Ethan is also enrolled in the Accelerated Master’s Program at The University of Alabama and plans to continue his education by pursuing graduate studies in mechanical engineering.
Ethan can be reached at eghovsapian@crimson.ua.edu and can answer questions about his experience and the Co-op Program as a whole.
Hailey is a junior studying chemical engineering with a minor in biological engineering, having completed her co-op with ONEOK in Dallas, Texas. During her time with ONEOK, a midstream oil and gas company, she focused on facilities project management and hydraulic modeling. In her work terms, she applied key classroom concepts to real-world industry challenges.
Hailey can be contacted at hepeitersen@crimson.ua.edu for insights on moving out of state for a co op, early-career opportunities in the oil and gas industry, and general chemical engineering questions.
Harrison is a senior pursuing both a B.S. in chemical engineering and a B.A. in French through the Dual Degree program. He also has minors in mathematics and global and cultural perspectives. He completed 3 rotations with Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, TN, first working with the Life Cycle Assessment group, then Fibers Process Development, and finally Methanolysis Process Development. He worked on scaling-up automation in LCA and calculating the carbon footprint for products, saving cost and energy on heat exchangers and scrubbers in the acetone recovery loop in Fibers, and managing projects for installation of new equipment on feedstock processing lines for Methanolysis.
Harrison can be reached via email athhvanvleet@crimson.ua.edu. He is happy to share about his experiences as a co-op at Eastman, the Crimson Co-op Program in general, the Dual Degree program at UA, Study Abroad at UA, the Engineering Career Development Center, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the chemical engineering program.
Katie is a mechanical engineering major with a minor in aerospace engineering. She has completed three co-op rotations at GE Appliances, a Haier company in Louisville, Kentucky. Throughout her time there, Katie gained hands-on experience in various functions within the manufacturing environment. Her roles challenged both her project management skills and technical abilities, allowing her to grow professionally while contributing meaningfully to her teams. These experiences not only deepened her understanding of the manufacturing field but also helped her build lasting professional relationships.
Katie can be reached atkrbarry@crimson.ua.edu. She is happy to provide insight into the Co-op Program, offer guidance on accepting positions, and share tips on building strong connections throughout the co-op experience.
Logan is a Junior Chemical Engineering major from Lexington, KY who has completed three rotations with GE Appliances, a Haier Company, at their headquarters in Louisville, KY. He worked in a different role in each of his three rotations; firstly, working in the sourcing division where he gained great insight into the manufacturing techniques of the plastic components industry and the big picture business strategy of strategically sourcing components. In his second role he worked in the manufacturing quality division, learning advanced, industry-applicable quality control and measuring techniques, and used powerful data tools to develop a database interface and server monitoring process for the quality teams. In his final role he worked as a manufacturing engineer, providing critical testing support for the launch of a new product line, designing and releasing specifications for two assembly line selection systems, finalizing safety equipment designs and installations, and conducting initial trials for impactful plastic extrusion and thermoforming projects. Throughout these three distinct roles, Logan was most impacted by developing a clear understanding of career possibilities and seeing which of his strengths and interests aligned with certain roles. He is incredibly thankful for the wholistic co-op experience GE Appliances provided him and the impactful career and life advice he gained from his co-workers.
Logan is available by email at Ljbeck1@crimson.ua.edu. He can offer insight into working for a large company, working in unique roles each term, working in a large city, and completing a co-op close to one’s hometown. He would also be happy to help students determine which factors are most important to them when considering companies to complete a co-op with.
Rachel is a senior majoring in civil engineering with a minor in construction engineering. She has completed three co-op rotations with Hoar Construction. Her first rotation was in the office, where she gained exposure to project management, estimating, and coordination. She then completed two field rotations with the company’s healthcare division, working on both a new rehabilitation hospital and an addition to an existing hospital. While in the field, Rachel gained hands-on experience in quality control and assurance, project sequencing, and safety. She was involved in the early stages of steel erection and concrete pours through final finishes, giving her a comprehensive view of the construction process. She attributes much of her professional growth to her co-op experience, which has deepened her passion for construction management and solidified her career goals after graduation.
Rachel can be reached at rmartelle@crimson.ua.edu to help answer any questions about the Cooperative Education Program. She can provide information about working in general contracting and the construction industry.
Raquel is a senior aerospace engineering student who has completed three rotations with Constellium in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. She worked all three semesters in the Hot Line Engineering department, focusing on maintenance projects on various large machinery in a manufacturing environment. She was able to become familiar with the aluminum manufacturing process and was responsible for managing projects from design to execution. Through project management, she learned how to communicate effectively through scopes of work, coordinate work across multiple groups, and successfully meet deadlines through meticulous planning. Since her co-op, she has gained new skills and made lasting connections that she believes have set her up for a successful career.
Raquel is available by email atrconeill@crimson.ua.edu.
She can provide insight into committing to a year-long co-op rotation, navigating the manufacturing field, and her overall co-op experience as an aerospace major.
Robbie is an aerospace engineering student who has completed 3 co-op terms with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI). In his 3 terms there, he spent one in Battery Series Planning, focusing on process improvements to increase the safety, quality, and efficiency of the production line. He spent his next two terms in Battery Maintenance Engineering where he led projects to accomplish similar goals, but from an equipment side. He also served on the student co-op board in his second and third term to continuously improve the co-op and intern program at MBUSI. Robbie firmly believes that he would not be where he is today without his co-op experience, as it furthered many skills – independence, initiative, confidence, project management, communication and presentation – just to name a few.
Robbie can be reached at rbenglish@crimson.ua.edu and is happy to answer questions about co-op as a whole, the MBUSI co-op experience, as well as aerospace engineering specific co-op questions.
Rylee is a senior accelerated master’s student in operations management with a minor in business cyber security. She completed three rotations with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (MBUSI) in Vance, AL: two in Supply Chain and one in Human Resources. During her time at MBUSI, she worked on projects such as developing a standardized system for tracking vehicle change requests, creating a consolidated shipping tracker, and designing tailored training paths for various roles. These experiences gave her valuable exposure to process improvement, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration. The Co-op Program also helped her strengthen her problem-solving skills, apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, and gain a clearer sense of her career goals.
Rylee is available by email at rnmcintosh@crimson.ua.edu. She is happy to share insights about the Co-op Program, its benefits, and her experience working with MBUSI.
