UC engineering students recognized for achievement in cooperative education

Rising senior Sharon Macumber has completed two co-op rotations with Aurora Flight Sciences, A Boeing Company, and she currently works in the UAV MASTER (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Multi-Agent Systems Technology Research) Lab at UC. While attending a recent American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics conference, Macumber networked her way to a co-op position at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in San Diego, and she will be the first UC student to co-op there. She plans to earn a bachelor's and master’s degree through UC’s ACCEND program.

Senior Katie Martonchik has shown great passion and motivation in creating her co-op path. She personally contacted nearly all 247 sports manufacturers in the United States to land co-op positions. She worked one term at Easton Diamond Sports and two terms with Specialized Bicycle Components in California, where she has accepted a full-time position upon graduation. Martonchik says, “UC’s co-op program enabled me to personalize my education and pursue a career in a field (sports manufacturing) that is not traditionally associated with the biomedical engineering program.”

John (JT) Salisbury completed co-ops with such prestigious companies as BMW, Siemens PLM and American Express, where he worked to architect, design and implement several innovative cloud-based products. He also received Professional Scrum Master 1 certification. After graduation, Salisbury plans to work for American Express in New York as a software engineer.

A native of Columbus, Ohio, Michael Salzler completed co-op terms at Danis Construction, Marathon Petroleum and Mountain Meadow Homes (Vail, Colorado) in residential construction. Salzler’s first supervisor observed that he was “far ahead of most students…[He] has communicated with all parties as well the 45 subcontractors on the project. Completes any and all tasks that are requested whether they are pleasant or not.” Salzler also served as UC’s Construction Student Association president. Salzler is now employed full-time with Fischer Homes in Columbus.

Cincinnati native John Ruehl completed all of his co-op terms with Duke Energy’s Renewables Division. Ruehl leveraged his experience as an apprentice electrician to land his first co-op and later mentored others. As a co-op, Ruehl traveled all over the United States, contributed to arc flash research at Shoreham Solar Farm, and completed a Duke Energy-sponsored senior project. After graduation, Ruehl will begin as an Engineer 1 at Duke Energy Renewables. Ruehl says, “Co-op has allowed me to develop my interpersonal and professional skills while I actively pursued my degree, allowing me to quickly transition from college into the workforce.”

Taylor Batz began her co-op journey with the Ohio Department of Transportation where she gained experience managing a construction site and stabilizing a hill near Cincinnati’s Mount Adams. Later she switched to environmental consulting and faced many challenges. Batz says, “I chose UC because I thought the co-op program would be an invaluable experience. I was right. I had amazing opportunities and accepted a full-time job with one of my co-op employers.” After graduation, Batz will start her career with The Schwann Food Company in Salina, Kansas.

Cincinnati native Patrick Hobing completed five co-op rotations at GE Appliances and GE Aviation, through which he was able to learn from experts in manufacturing and was exposed to many aspects of company life. In addition, Hobing has served his community through food drives, tutoring and charity events. Most notably, he has participated in the UC Dance Marathon for Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center all five years of his college career. Hobing is seeking a full-time position and plans to pursue a career in robotics or renewable energy.