UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Preparing students for their futures is a top priority at Penn State. The IBM Data Engineering Co-Op program, also referred to as IBM’s talent pipeline program, is one impactful example of how the University is giving real-world experience and, potentially, a start down a career path right after graduation in the field of data engineering and artificial intelligence (AI).
Applications for the second co-op class are open now through Feb. 15. Second-year and more advanced undergraduate students with experience in data and an interest in AI are encouraged to apply, as the program provides students the opportunities to build skills related to data workflows, analytics, the Internet of Things, AI and data fabric, which refers to how data is connected across multiple systems.
Accepted students will complete paid internships at Innovation Park at University Park, as well as training workshops on essential data engineering topics. The first co-op class are currently gaining real-world experience in internship roles at Toyota, Veterans Affairs and in the public health care sector.
Jeffrey Teti, Penn State alum and global chief operations officer for the data and technology transformation service line for IBM Consulting, also serves as the center leader for the Penn State Data Engineering Co-Op Program, overseeing the program at Innovation Park.
“The [students] have a mentor in data platform services practice, and I'm with them day-to-day,” Teti said. “It is a wonderful thing to be able to help some of the next generation of students at Penn State.”
Teti also works closely with Anthony Giordano, senior partner and vice president of global leader data platform services at IBM, and Glenn Finch, global managing partner for data and technology transformation for IBM Global Business Services, on the program. Giordano had experience setting up college programs to recruit students to work with IBM and their clients, while Finch had already worked with Penn State so he said the choice to start the program at the University was a natural next step.
“We are excited about our partnership with Penn State in the area of data engineering,” Finch said. “The students we work with are exceptionally bright, very hard working, and they immediately deploy on client work. So far, we have hired 100% of the students we work with.”
Giordano reiterated the sentiment, explaining the type of student who should apply for the co-op.
“[They should be] technically competent, [with] superior communication skills and business acquisitive,” Giordano said. “In other words, [they should be someone who] understands the fundamentals of business and asks, ‘how do I solve business problems?’”
History of the program
In 2022, the Data Engineering Center of Excellence was formed at Innovation Park with the goal of preparing students for careers in data engineering while also creating innovative solutions to tactical, strategic problems, such as a rise in open seats — open seats are services IBM clients are willing to pay for — and a lack of employees to fill those seats.
The idea was to bring in second-year students — students with enough experience to be useful to the client and be able to grow within the role over the next year or two. These students would then mentor the next group of interns and so on with each round of students. Giordano said the program is “a great pipeline to build a consulting culture and build North American resources."
Clients willing to take a chance with this kind of program were able to use part-time resources, IBM has had the opportunity to work with Penn State talent, and the students can take their classroom learnings into the workforce.
“It’s a win, win, win,” Giordano said.
The student experience
When it comes to the caliber of students currently within the program, those from IBM praise these students as top-notch.
“We have given everyone who's graduating in May a full-time offer,” Teti said. “All of them accepted. Imagine going into your final semester, having a job waiting for you.”
Evelyn Moore is a fourth-year student majoring in computational mathematics and computer science in the Eberly College of Science and the College of Engineering, respectively.
In her second year, Moore heard about the program and applied.
“I liked how I was able to continue my education while simultaneously learning more about how to apply the skills I learn inside of the classroom, outside of the classroom,” Moore said.
Her current role at IBM, she is interning in the public health care sector as a data architect with the state of Tennessee for the TennCare Project.
“Through IBM, I was able to strengthen and learn different skills that I have not learned through my undergraduate education,” Moore said.
Moore has accepted an offer at IBM as an associate data scientist in Washington, DC, where she plans to continue to work in the public health care sector after she graduates this May.
Kyle Bonner will graduate this spring with a double major in computer science and applied mathematics.
Bonner said he was interested in the program because it had the potential to introduce him “to the real business world,” and to potentially work throughout the rest of his school. Bonner was accepted and matched with the Veterans Intake, Conversion and Communications Services team, which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
“The lessons learned in the classroom are great for knowing how to solve problems and why those solutions are good, but working on a real team allows me to gain invaluable experience,” Bonner said. “Being able to talk to other employers about my client-facing technical skills, which other students do not have, gave me a strong edge in job applications. Having almost two years of experience before graduating also allows me to get better positions at jobs.”
He said he also plans to continue his work for IBM Federal Consulting as a data scientist after graduation.
Shridhi Khandelwal is a third-year students majoring in computer science at the College of Engineering.
“When I learned about IBM’s talent pipeline program, it immediately struck me as the perfect fit!” Khandelwal said. “The program's blend of real-world experience with academic pursuits was exactly what I was looking for.”
Khandelwal noted that the opportunity to work with tech leaders like IBM while still in school was “invaluable.”
The work with the program gave her the chance to be a data engineer intern with Toyota.
“I had the opportunity to work with projects around generative AI, which expanded my insights into the practical applications of artificial intelligence in data processing,” Khandelwal said. “This role significantly enhanced my technical skills and provided me with a comprehensive view of the data engineering landscape, preparing me for a dynamic career in technology.”
When all three students were asked why other students should apply to the program, they all spoke to the program’s balance between academic studies and real-world experience.
“It's an ideal way to prepare for a tech career, blending learning and practical application seamlessly,” Khandelwal said.
Associate Vice President for Research and Director of the Office for Industry Partnerships Geanie Umberger praised the program.
“Penn State partners with companies to create unique workforce development and research opportunities, with the talent pipeline program as an example of our innovative approaches,” Umberger said. “This program not only helps IBM to hire the best and the brightest, but it provides opportunities for our students to learn, with a job and practical experience upon graduation. IBM is an excellent partner and was excited that they agreed to be our inaugural partner for this program that is getting the attention of other companies. We are pleased to see how wildly successful this popular program has been with the student and for IBM.”
Penn State’s Corporate Engagement Center spearheaded the initiative for Penn State. Operating under the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and the Office of University Development, the Corporate Engagement Center supports companies as they navigate the vast resources of Penn State.
Any students with questions about the program should contact Beth Colledge, director of corporate engagement, at bac39@psu.edu. To apply, visit https://bit.ly/IBMPennState