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Engineering students at the ���� have been selected for Apple's inaugural Next-Gen Innovators mentorship program, which provides one-on-one guidance from Apple engineers to help students prepare for careers in the tech industry. ���� is one of approximately two dozen universities nationwide chosen for the competitive program.��

The eight-month program pairs engineering students with Apple engineers for one-on-one mentorship in hardware, software and manufacturing.��

"This partnership showcases how CU Engineering connects our students with industry leaders to build the technical and professional skills demanded by today's technology sector," said Keith Molenaar, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. "Our students will gain valuable insights directly from Apple engineers while developing the networks crucial for launching successful careers."

Selected students meet monthly with their Apple engineer mentors from whom they’ll receive personalized guidance, as well as participate in periodic virtual events. The program covers career development from resume writing to technical skills, with each pairing matched to the student's career goals.

Mentorship includes exposure to Apple's product development process and opportunities to tackle real engineering problems. Students will build skills employers want: technical communication, project management and team collaboration.

The program helps students stand out in competitive job markets by providing practical experience alongside their coursework while building their professional networks. Recent CU Engineering graduates at Apple, Google, Microsoft and Amazon say industry partnerships like this one have prepared them for success.

"Learning from professionals at one of the world’s leading tech companies is an opportunity I’m genuinely excited about," said Matias Blanco, a mechanical engineering student at ��ñ����. "I’m gaining real insight into how to be competitive after graduation, what the job landscape truly looks like and the behind-the-scenes work engineers do every day. I’m grateful for the opportunities Apple and ��ñ���� have opened up, and I look forward to learning and collaborating with my mentor and cohort.”

The Apple Next-Gen Innovators mentorship program runs through spring 2026.

In partnership with campus Career Services, CU Engineering collaborates with hundreds of companies each year to offer internships, experiential learning opportunities, networking events, research experiences and capstone design projects that prepare students for successful careers after graduation. Learn more about��the Engineering Career Hub and its services.