Responsibilities of the Employer Thesis Advisor

A student's employer is asked to assign an advisor within the company who is in the best position to provide technical knowledge in the field of the problem assignment. The advisor will guide the progress of the student toward a practical solution to the problem, and will facilitate the incorporation of acceptable recommendations. Specifically, the employer advisor is responsible for the following tasks; he or she:

  • Approves the student's Plan of Attack prior to submission to the faculty advisor.
  • Ensures a work schedule that will allow the student adequate time to complete the thesis project.
  • Notifies Thesis Services in writing on company letterhead if the thesis document is to be considered confidential, as soon as possible but no later than submission of the Preliminary Thesis (a form letter is located on this website under Employer Forms).
  • Monitors the student's adherence to the Thesis Project Calendar and Plan of Attack.
  • Participates in the meeting with the student and the faculty advisor at the company or other agreed upon location.
  • Advises the student on how to attain the project end results by suggesting sources of information and methods of approach.
  • Facilitates the student's access to necessary company resources.
  • Reviews and approves the project progress reports prepared by the student.
  • Acts upon requests from the student when such requests relate to the employer's policy.
  • Reviews the Preliminary Thesis for technical accuracy and recommends necessary changes.
  • Prepares a Preliminary Company Approval letter on company letterhead to accompany the Preliminary Thesis submitted to the faculty advisor via the thesis coordinator in his or her department (a form letter is located on this website under Employer Forms).
  • Completes a Senior Thesis Project Evaluation by Employer Advisor, to accompany the Final Thesis (available on Co-op Navigator).
  • Signs the Final Thesis Title Pages for two copies of the thesis. If the student is requesting extra copies or would like the copies sent directly to them, instead of to the employer, then the Employer Advisor will need to fill out the Employer Bound Copy. Distribution Approval Form (a form letter is located on this website under Employer Forms).