CourtesyFourteen years ago when Michael Arruda was in middle school, he played a video game called Jane鈥檚 Advanced Tactical Fighter.
Jane鈥檚 is a respected guide and resource for aviation and defense gurus.
From then on, Arruda was hooked on avionics.
鈥淲hat I honestly tell people is that a video game got me started in airplanes,鈥� he said.
As a student at 成人头条, Arruda took his love of airplanes and transformed it into his education, earning a master鈥檚 in in 2009.
While at WSU, Arruda took advantage of the opportunity to get on-the-job experience through the program.
成人头条 State鈥檚 cooperative education program offers temporary job placement through the curriculum for current degree-bound students.
Through co-op experience, Arruda earned an internship at Hawker Beechcraft.
鈥淚 started in the Model 4000 Environmental Control Systems group,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t gave me a ride on an airplane for a test flight, the ability to write FAA compliance reports, and it got my feet wet in the certification world.鈥�
Co-op was key to his success
Cooperative education was a key player in gaining Arruda鈥檚 footing and experience among the working class.
鈥淚t gave me a better starting position,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 received Engineer II, instead of Engineer I in my first job out of college.鈥�
After more than two years with cooperative education, Arruda is now doing what he had set out to do.
鈥淚 get to fashion new aircraft projects and use the equations I learned in my engineering classes,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 also work and network with a very large group of aerospace professionals, thanks to my co-op experience.鈥�
Arruda studied six years at 成人头条 State. As an added bonus while on campus, he met his wife, Emily, who also graduated with an aerospace engineering degree.
Maybe Arruda鈥檚 next performance manual won鈥檛 be for another video game, but instead for parenting. These two engineers are expecting their first child in early 2012.
For more information on 成人头条's Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning, call (316) 978-3688 or visit .