Senior engineering design often faces resource gaps that compromise the transition to professional roles. This roundtable explores the “LevelUp: Careerizing Senior Projects Initiative,” a program designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry readiness through targeted resource allocation and AI literacy training. We will discuss the project’s evolution from a traditional grant-funded model to a more flexible approach emphasizing professional agency. A standout result emerged when students translated these proposal skills into a successful pitch to a private company, securing funding for the entire cohort. Using survey data on student AI optimism and course challenges, we will discuss strategies to empower students as “industry-ready” professionals. Aligning with CoTL’s humanity theme, this session offers a replicable model for bridging the academic-industry gap through student empowerment and strategic AI literacy.

Presenters

• Daniela Wolter Ferreira Touma dtouma@southalabama.edu, University of South Alabama

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