The document describes a course called the Start-Up Experience for Engineers that allows graduate engineering students to complete a 200-hour practicum with an early-stage technology start-up to learn about entrepreneurship and the start-up work environment. Through the practicum, students will be exposed to the inner workings of a start-up company by completing engineering-related tasks and projects under the mentorship of start-up founders and employees. The document provides information for start-ups interested in offering placements, students applying for placements, and the timeline and process for arranging the start-up experiences.

1. The Start-Up Experience
for Engineers (summer 2023)
Alon Eisenstein
Assistant Professor of Teaching
January 17, 2023
1

2. 2
A course-based practicum experience
For professional graduate engineering students
(M.Eng in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Manufacturing)
Learn about entrepreneurship and the start-up work
environment
Complete 200 working hours with a technology start-up
Expected outcome:
Students can answer “is entrepreneurship/start-up for
me?”
What is this course about?

3. 3
Technology-based
(hardware/software is integral to the business)
Preferably based in Kelowna
(but not limited to)
Early stage
(product/service in development but not scaled)
Small in size
(ideal team size of 2-20 people)
A start-up that is a good fit for the course
is..
What is a Start-Up Experience for
Engineers?

4. 4
200 working hours in engineering-related work (unpaid*)
12-16 hours/week (avg) between May 15 and August 11
Support your company’s growing needs
Product design, Bus. Dev., Project Management, etc.
Scout for early talent
International students, MEng have 4 – 12 months
internships
Connect with UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering
Talent pipeline (Co-op, internships, alumni)
Industry/academia collaborative funded research
What’s in it for me?

5. 5
Assign work in engineering-related tasks/projects
Expose students to the inner working of a start-up
company
Train, guide and mentor students throughout their work
Submit work performance evaluations (mid-term and
final)
Provide a meaningful working/learning experience
Students earn academic credit
You invest in effort
What is expected of me?

6. 6
Apply to offer a placement opportunity:
https://ewil.ok.ubc.ca
Provide the following details:
- Company’s name
- Website
- Location
- # of founders and employees
- A short description of the start-up
- Your company’s logo
- The work experience offered:
• Position title
• Short description
• 1-3 skills needed
I’m interested, now what?

7. 7
Submit placement offers by January 15th
Interview student applicants until February 12th
Submit candidate preferences by February 19th
(students will submit their placement preferences)
Placement matches announced on February 28th
First day of work – starting May 15th
(sign NDA, set up work schedule, determine outcomes)
What’s next?

8. 8
I’m here to support you!
Information and application:
https://ewil.ok.ubc.ca
Email me at: alon.eisenstein@ubc.ca
Got Questions?