UTA, Bell link students to aerospace careers
The University of Texas at Arlington Career Development Center and Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) are strengthening the pipeline from classroom to career through the Bell College Work Experience Program, a paid, hands-on initiative that places UTA engineering students directly inside Bell’s aerospace operations.
Launched in March 2025, the program allows undergraduate students in aerospace engineering, computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and software engineering to gain real-world experience at Bell while completing their junior and senior years at UTA. In less than a year, the program has already delivered early results: three participating students have graduated and transitioned into full-time roles at Bell.
“Partnerships like this are win-win propositions for employers and for our students,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. “Students get real-world experience and real-world jobs. Businesses get access to bright talent and fresh ideas. And our community gets a stronger economy that keeps that talent right here at home.”
Bell, a global leader in aerospace innovation and a pioneer of commercial helicopter and tiltrotor technology, provides students with opportunities to contribute to advanced rotorcraft projects that support both commercial and defense missions. Participants work alongside industry professionals in a fast-paced environment, applying classroom knowledge to complex engineering challenges.
The program is structured over at least two consecutive semesters, with students working 12 to 25 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters and up to 40 hours per week during academic breaks. Students are paid and remain full-time UTA students while gaining professional experience.
“Bell is proud to work alongside UTA to foster learning opportunities that will bring new developments to our business,” said Jason Hurst, Bell’s senior vice president, engineering, and a UTA alum. “These students bring new ideas that impact our innovative programs and initiatives, and we’re excited about the next generation of talented professionals.”
Currently, 13 UTA students are participating in the Bell College Work Experience Program, with plans to expand the program in future semesters.
“Building partnerships that give students a chance to learn in real-world settings—these are the bridges that connect what we teach to what industry needs,” said Tamara L. Brown, UTA provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “Partnerships like this ensure that the next wave of talent walking into Texas companies isn’t just technically competent but also fully prepared to contribute.”
Eligibility requirements include a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, full-time enrollment of at least 12 credit hours, U.S. Person status under International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the ability to meet standard pre-employment requirements.
By embedding students directly into industry settings, the Bell College Work Experience Program allows participants to develop career-ready skills while completing their degrees—strengthening UTA’s role in preparing engineers for high-demand aerospace careers and supporting Bell’s future workforce needs.
“The CWEP program,” said Jovanny Murillo, a 2025 UTA aerospace engineering graduate, “provided me with practical, hands-on learning experiences that have helped me connect the dots between what I learned in the classroom directly to the programs I work on at Bell.”
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.