One of the central missions of UConn Engineering is to forge strong relationships with local industry partners. As the largest engineering college in the state of Connecticut, the UConn College of Engineering (CoE) interfaces with a variety of different engineering employers throughout the state and New England region.

“We encourage these industry partners to take part in the different engagement opportunities we offer,” says UConn Engineering Dean JC Zhao. “From Senior Design Demonstration Day to UConn career fairs, employers are presented with opportunities to meet and network with the newest generation of UConn engineering students.”

One of these students was Benjamin Rosen, a 2025 mechanical engineering graduate who chose UConn largely because of the university’s connections to the local engineering sector.

Rosen, the 2025 College of Engineering student commencement speaker, recently started as a full-time employee at Pratt & Whitney after completing a summer internship there in 2024. Pratt & Whitney has 20-30 student interns annually, hiring most at the conclusion of their internship.

James Arnold, another 2025 mechanical engineering graduate, also chose to stay in Connecticut post-graduation, accepting a full-time position as a Systems Engineer at General Dynamic Electric Boat.

General Dynamic Electric Boat and Pratt & Whitney are two of the top employers that UConn Engineering students have reported working for post-graduation according to a survey distributed to students at graduation.

“I obtained my internship at Pratt & Whitney during one of UConn engineering’s career fairs,” says Rosen. “I was able to speak candidly with the recruiter about which aspects of engineering I was most interested in, this led to an interview, and then an offer for a summer internship.”

Over the course of the internship, Rosen worked on a project that incorporated electronics, digital design, and parametric testing. At the conclusion of his internship, he received an offer to return full-time with the Flight Test Instrumentation group, the same group he completed his internship with.

Over 2,200 UConn alums work for Pratt & Whitney, making 21% of U.S. based Pratt & Whitney engineers UConn alumni.

According to the results of the survey given to students at graduation, 67.05% of UConn Engineering students accepted full-time positions in Connecticut.

“The data is undeniable, and our corporate partners echo it: UConn engineering talent is a critical part of Connecticut’s economic growth engine,” says UConn Engineering Director for Student Professional Development Theo Menounos.

“I completed two summer internships at Electric Boat, which gave me valuable exposure to submarine systems, company culture, and real-world engineering challenges,” Arnold said. “These experiences allowed me to build relationships with mentors and demonstrate my abilities. After completing my internship last summer, I received an offer from the Overhaul and Repair Department to return full-time as a Systems Engineer.”

Rosen and Arnold heavily credit the process of Senior Design for their readiness to enter the workforce post-graduation.

“Through Senior Design, I received a holistic experience of designing, building, and testing a new device, as well as balancing work between team members,” Rosen said. “These experiences helped me form a strong base of knowledge that I’ve carried into my job.”

“Senior Design helped me learn how to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment,” Arnold added. “It also provided valuable connections to industry professionals.”

Along with the experience of Senior Design, Rosen also found that UConn gave him an advanced and up-to-date understanding of theoretical engineering. Through different courses and working alongside professors that have years of experience working at Pratt & Whitney, he felt as though UConn provided him with a well-rounded engineering education.

Arnold echoed this sentiment, finding that UConn gave him a strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles and problem-solving skills through both coursework and hands-on projects.

“Between the education I received at UConn and their connection to industry, I was able to attain my current position at Pratt & Whitney,” says Rosen. “With the numerous engineering opportunities in Connecticut, it was an easy decision to stay in-state as I begin my career.”

The University has made it accessible for students to pursue careers in Connecticut post-graduation. From multiple career fairs held throughout the academic year to giving engineering students the opportunity to work with industry engineers through the Senior Design Program, UConn has made it enticing for senior students to stay in Connecticut as they begin their careers.

“Career fairs hosted by the UConn Center for Career Readiness & Life Skills and the UConn College of Engineering connect Connecticut’s industry leaders with the next generation of engineering problem solvers, innovators, and leaders,” Menounos says.

Menounos also said career fairs are just one of the UConn offerings where UConn’s top early career engineering talent meets industrial opportunity.

“I have lived in Connecticut for my whole life, so staying close to home was important to me,” says Arnold. “My dad has worked on submarines for my whole life, and I have always been interested in submarines. Working at Electric Boat offered the perfect combination of meaningful work and location, allowing me to contribute to a critical industry that is important to me.”

UConn delivered 55% of all engineering graduates across Connecticut in 2024, solidifying UConn Engineering’s goal to forge strong partnerships with the local engineering sector.

“I do not believe that my experience is unusual, UConn is effective at placing young engineers at jobs within the state,” says Rosen.