The Stepup Experience

ngineering company sites such as, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Disney, Kraft, GRU, Exactech, the Nielsen Corporation, etc., in efforts to see engineering in action and to meet with an diverse array of engineers representing these companies. This affords students participating in the program the opportunity to get an actual glimpse into the real world life of an engineer, as well as, begin developing a personal network of resources that may prove beneficial in the future. There are two components to the STEPUP program (all students accepted into the program are expected to fully complete both program components): a six-week summer residential program and a non-residential fall and spring semester program. In addition, participants in both the residential and non-residential programs continue to participate in academic support services (study halls, tutoring, and personalized academic advising) throughout their entire freshman year.

- Typical Summer Residential Schedule

A typical summer schedule for STEPUP participants will place the student into the often times difficult situation of having to balance classes and a design project along with the task of sharpening their skills as it relates to interacting/networking with engineering corporate representatives. Classes are taught using the “flipped” classroom design process which involves allotting more time during the class period to interact with the instructor (to gain better clarity on course concepts/assignments, work in small groups to solve class problems and increase peer to peer individual support as a method of further strengthening the long-term cohesion of the group (tasks which are often times very difficult to include as part of the traditional college class setting). The length of the day is by design based on the premise that serious engineering students should plan to attribute a minimum of 2 hours of studying (per day) for each class they are enrolled (a practice that may not be common among many students admitted into UF because oftentimes they have been able to attain a very high levels of academic success in the high school arena with minimum effort). Finally, a student’s focus should not be to simply graduate and to earn a degree, but more importantly, to successfully transition on to the next level of their professional development (which includes employment or graduate school). Engineering students must begin mastering the practice of interacting with engineering corporate representatives and “self-marketing” as part of the process leading to their being selected for internships, co-ops, research and other practical experiences which serve make them an even more competitive applicant in the future. In all, achieving a successful balance between academics and professional development will require students to “STEPUP” the amount of time and effort they commit into doing so.

- Typical Non-Residential Schedule

During the Fall & Spring semester, STEPUP participants enroll in the traditional classes required for all engineering students (Calculus, Chemistry, general education courses, etc.). STEPUP activities are planned at a minimum to ensure students the opportunity to focus on their classes, and to begin developing their leadership skills through organizational involvement. STEPUP students “are” expected to attend program meetings (typically 1 per semester), study halls (typically 2-4 hours per week) and professional development sessions involving small group meetings with engineering corporate representatives interested in presenting to the group about their company and opportunities for internships, etc. In addition, the mentor team and STEPUP participants often elect to schedule small social activities for the group to continue the group bonding process beyond the summer semester. This assists the group in further supporting each other through fun-activities that give the group a break from the grind of studying for classes, mid-terms, finals, etc. If you have further questions regarding the STEPUP XIX program, the application processes, or payment options, please contact the STEPUP Coordinator at 352-392-0944. We wish you the best for your student’s future success at the University of Florida. Sincerely,

Stephen Roberts, M.Ed
Associate Director