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 Milla Green at mwgreen3@ua.edu.
Ashaunti is a mechanical engineering student, minoring in manufacturing, who worked as a Co-op at Honda. Through her Co-op experience, she was able to apply her classroom knowledge to the real world. She was also able to establish connections and discover the type of work she would like to do post-graduation. Her Co-op experience has opened a door of opportunities and has helped her build confidence not only in herself, but also in the work that she does.
Ashaunti Price is available by email at afprice2@crimson.ua.edu. She can provide information on being a Co-op and networking during a Co-op.
2004 HM Comer Office Hours: Tuesday, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Ryan is an operations management student working for Milo’s Tea Company as a Co-op. He worked in and with a variety of teams and departments of the company and received a wealth of knowledge about a variety of engineering disciplines and procedures that he would not have learned in the classroom. Ryan learned how to work as part of a team and when to take initiative on the job during his Co-op. His Co-op experience exposed him to new fields of engineering, which will aid in his professional development. He intends to share his experience at Milo’s Tea Company with other students in the hopes of inspiring them to join the Co-op program at the University of Alabama.
Ryan is available by email at rwkeeney@crimson.ua.edu.
2004 HM Comer Office Hours: Friday, 10 – 11 a.m.
Gavin is a senior mechanical engineering student who has completed three rotations with Alabama Power. He has had the opportunity to work in a variety of offices with wide range of responsibilities including working storm restoration after multiple hurricanes, being the sole engineer of a territory, and completing residential and commercial jobs. Through these experiences Gavin has confirmed he wants to work in the utility industry after graduation. Not only has he found a career he loves, but he has his foot in the door with one of the top companies in the nation as a result of his co-op.
Gavin Venable is available by email at gmvenable@crimson.ua.edu. He can provide information on the co-op application, company research and interview process. He can assist with mechanical engineering/electrical related questions, the utility industry and what it’s like working with Alabama Power. He can also answer questions about living/working out of state and finding housing.
2004 HM Comer Office Hours: Monday, 10 – 11 a.m.
Casey is a chemistry major with a minor in business. She worked as a co-op at BASF in McIntosh, AL. Casey worked in the acquisition and quality control lab where she performed lab testing on samples produced within the plant before being shipped off to customers. During her co-op rotation, Casey was able to apply what she learned in the classroom to a real-world setting and learn just one of the many ways her chemistry degree can be used in a professional position. She is immensely grateful for the opportunity to work for BASF for three terms because she gained exposure to the professional world and saw the many possibilities available to her with her degree.
Casey is available by email at caroach@crimson.UA.edu. She can provide general information about the Co-op Program and its benefits, as well as information about how to apply for a co-op position outside of Co-op Interview Day. She will also happily answer any questions regarding the interview process.
2004 HM Comer Office Hours: Thursday, 8 – 9 a.m.
David is a chemical engineering student on the STEM Path to the MBA and is currently a co-op for WestRock, working with project and process engineers in various fields. WestRock has allowed David to write project plans, troubleshot equipment, assist with the planning and management of projects, and give presentations on future development. David’s Co-op experience has exposed him to the real-life applications of the things he has learned in the classroom. He has also learned about the importance of interpersonal skills in a professional environment. Wherever he ends up working, he knows the skills and experience he gain from being a Co-op will be invaluable.
David is available by email at dmbarrett1@crimson.ua.edu. He can provide information on being in the Co-op program while being on the STEM Path to the MBA. He can also offer insight into project management and strategic development in the paper industry.
2004 HM Comer Office Hours: Wednesday, 10 – 11 a.m.
Michael is a computer science student, minoring in math as well as taking part in the STEM Path to the MBA, who completed three semesters of co-op with Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI). During his time at MBUSI, Michael was able to gain hard skills through projects that helped him see real world application of his major. Through working at such a large international company, he was also able to gain soft skills such as working with diverse groups, leading projects, and directly reporting to superiors. His experience in co-op and his development through the STEM Path to the MBA not only provided great personal and professional development, but also has opened many doors to him after graduation that may not have been available otherwise.
Michael is available by email at mahonrine@crimson.ua.edu. He can provide information on co-op for computer science students as well as how to work co-op as a student participating in the STEM or CREATE Path to the MBA.
2004 HM Comer Office Hours: Monday, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Allison is an operations management student who worked as a co-op for Mercedes-Benz U.S. International. During her four co-op terms, she had the opportunity to work in engineering, supply chain management and procurement. Through her diverse experiences with the company, Allison has expanded her professional skills and network and explored multiple career paths.
Her work experience has enabled her to work with tools ranging from torque wrenches to Microsoft Excel to negotiate with vendors and even to drive a forklift – all while representing the University of Alabama and Mercedes-Benz co-op programs.
Allison is available by email at aehouse2@crimson.ua.edu. She can provide information on completing a co-op as a Culverhouse College of Business student, a German major, a sorority member, a campus resident, and also on extending co-op past the standard semesters.
2004 HM Comer Office Hours: Wednesday, 2 – 3 p.m.
Alec Fratturelli is a Senior Civil Engineering student who has completed three Co-op semesters with Hoar Construction. He has loved the experience, as he has been able to work in multiple roles and travel the country while gaining real world experience. It has shown him multiple career opportunities, as well as prepared him for the classroom. He is so glad he took advantage of this experience. As a result, he has expanded his network and resume. He couldn’t be more thankful for this experience!
Alec is available by email at afratturelli@crimson.ua.edu.
2004 HM Comer Office Hours: Tuesday, 1 – 2 p.m.
Erika is a mechanical engineering student who has completed three co-op terms with Brasfield and Gorrie, as well as an internship at Alabama Power. Erika has worked primarily in project management and quality control. She was able to take the knowledge she’s been taught in class and apply it in a real world context. She can offer advice regarding navigating a co-op schedule along with being involved in Stem Path to MBA. She can also offer advice regarding gathering experience from multiple companies while being involved in the co-op program.
Erika is available by email at enjohnson5@crimson.ua.edu
2004 HM Comer Office Hours: Wednesday, 1 – 2 p.m.
