Sophomore Experience

Your sophomore year is a time to explore new opportunities, build meaningful connections, and prepare for what's next. Through programs and resources that connect sophomores with faculty, staff, and peers, Duffield Engineers develop essential skills, explore career opportunities, engage in experiential learning, and continue to build a strong foundation for the rest of their undergraduate journey.
Built around the themes of agency, connection, purpose, and curiosity, the Sophomore Experience is designed to support Duffield Engineers academically, socially, and professionally — while nurturing the excitement that brought students to Duffield Engineering in the first place.
Students outside Duffield Hall in fall.
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Engineering Resources for Sophomore Success

  • Engineering Advising

    Engineering Advising supports your academic planning as you work toward affiliation with a major. In addition to individual advising, Engineering Advising offers Information Sessions that cover topics like affiliation requirements, how to stay in good academic standing, and how to explore opportunities like study abroad.

  • Major Department Advising

    Major Department Advising supports your academic advising within a major. In each major, a faculty member serves as director of undergraduate studies and works with your assigned faculty advisor and the undergraduate coordinator for the major to help you navigate your progress toward your degree.

  • Career Advising

    Professional career advisors are available to guide Engineering students in their career exploration and internship search, while student Peer Advisors offer help with resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and practice interviews.

  • Office of Inclusive Excellence

    Academic success resources through the Office of Inclusive Excellence include Academic Excellence Workshops for second-year courses, Tutors-on-Call, and Study Jams.

  • Coaching and Mentoring for Professional and Student Success

    Offered by the Selander Center for Engineering Leadership, this is a guided mentorship experience that helps you explore your values, goals, and strengths. Through reflection and discussion, you’ll be better prepared for personal and academic decision-making as you plan your remaining Cornell experience.

Experiential Learning for Engineering Sophomores

Experiential learning is a core philosophy of our engineering education—one that emphasizes active participation, critical reflection, and the real-world application of knowledge. For sophomores, this approach means learning by doing, making connections across disciplines, and gaining the confidence to solve complex challenges. Through a variety of hands-on opportunities, students not only reinforce technical skills but also grow as thoughtful, adaptive, and innovative engineers.

  • SoNIC students work on building a robotic prototype in Upson Hall.

    Student Project Teams

    Join interdisciplinary teams where students collaborate on real-world challenges—from sustainable design to robotics competitions. These hands-on projects cultivate teamwork, technical expertise, and creative problem-solving in a dynamic, supportive setting.

  • Tang Hall with fall foliage.

    Undergraduate Research

    Engage with groundbreaking research led by faculty across a range of fields. Whether exploring renewable energy or developing next-gen materials, students gain firsthand experience with the scientific process and contribute to meaningful discoveries.

  • Mike Kotlikiff and Wendy Wolford tour International Fair. The event showcases Cornell's global opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Explore the fair and find out about international majors and minors, language study, study abroad, funding opportunities, global internships, Cornell Global Hubs, and more.

    International Experiences

    Take your education global through study abroad programs, international design collaborations, or overseas internships. These immersive experiences build cross-cultural competence and broaden your view of engineering’s global role.

  • Female student smiling during an event indoors

    Peer Education Opportunities

    Enhance your leadership and communication skills while supporting your peers. As tutors, AEW Facilitators, 1050 peer advisors, mentors, or lab assistants, peer educators foster a collaborative learning culture and gain valuable teaching experience.

  • Major-Affiliated Student Organizations

    Connect with fellow students and professionals in your field through organizations aligned with your major. These groups host events, competitions, and service projects that strengthen your academic and career journey.

Duffield Engineering faculty and staff are excited to support you on your journey — because your sophomore year is not just about getting through. It’s about building what’s comes next.

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