Michigan has an Industrial Engineering/Mechanical Engineering college called Kettering University, and I had no idea. Of course, when I was looking at colleges, I was planning on being an English Major, so I wasn’t really asking my High School guidance counselor to recommend a good industrial engineering college, but still.
US News and World Report has ranked Kettering University as “the #1 University in the nation for Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering” in its annual “America’s Best Colleges Guide for 2008″. Wow! And again, how did I not know that since it’s located an HOUR away from my house?
What makes Kettering really unique is that they have engineering co-op programs that as far as I know, no other college has (feel free to correct me if I’m wrong about that). When I was at MSU, I remember that co-op wasn’t even available until Junior Year. At Kettering, they start right from freshman year, alternating between school and a co-op job every three months. It’s really impressive to look at the website and read the student profiles and see what kinds of jobs these young people have, the experience they are getting while still earning their degree, knowing that these students are going to be in charge of inventing, designing, manufacturing, and maintaining highly sophisticated systems that run, well, pretty much everything these days.
So why am I telling you this? Well, because Kettering University asked me to, and because I know there might be people reading this blog who have kids thinking about college in the next few years, and I thought it would be a good way to spread the word about this unique University right here in my home State. Think of it like a public service message, from me to you.
I’ve lived near Fort William, in the Scottish West Highlands, for ages, and was equally surprised when I learned about the importance of the local underwater centre. I always thought it had something to do with diver training… but little did I know that it was considered one of the best training programs in the world!
It seems that if you want a job working on and around oil rigs, this is the place to train.
Just shows, there’s always something more to learn in this world, and often times right in your own back yard.
I’d heard of Kettering, but had no idea it was THE place to go for manufacturing/engineering technology. Good find, and nice story.
And that is why the Internet is so awesome, because someone living in Scotland can comment on my blog! My senior year of college, I did a five week Overseas Study program in England, and we spent a weekend in Scotland. It is beautiful there!
I could barely get past the title of this post- I grew up in Michigan and haven’t heard of this program either. I have heard of Kettering High School, though. Maybe it’s related?
Selfmademom’s last blog post..Marketing to Mom Mania Month, lots of links and PR rants
Kick butt picture heading for this blog! Thanks for the post, man.
Used to be known as GMI, I had a lot of friends attend there. Haven’t heard a thing about it in years, though…I’m getting old!