Unlocking potential: The power of co-op programs

Unlocking potential: The power of co-op programs

Co-op programs have fueled new ideas in companies for years, giving students like me the opportunity to gain real-world experience alongside full-time professionals. While we're often warned about the big jump from high school to college, there's less focus on the transition from college to that first role in the corporate world.

Starting at Adtran showed me there's so much more to learn beyond the classroom, especially when it comes to navigating a corporate environment. Adtran's culture truly supports learning and growth as essential parts of the journey. Everywhere you turn, there are employees who have been here for decades, often sharing their own "back when I was a co-op" stories.

So, why have a co-op program?

Investing in a co-op program provides numerous benefits for employers, driving growth while providing vital support.

• New ideas: Bringing in new talent has always been key to growth and innovation. Having a fresh set of eyes on products and concepts generates perspectives that may have otherwise been overlooked.
• Enhanced project support: Co-ops can work on shorter-term projects or assist with supporting tasks, freeing up full-time employees to focus on higher-priority work.
• Talent development: Consider co-op terms as extended interviews - an opportunity to see how well a student integrates with the team. Having a steady flow of skilled and vetted co-ops accelerates hiring and onboarding, enabling the company to complete projects sooner.

On the other hand, for students, the learning and experiences are unmatched.

• Expanding career perspectives: It's easy to focus only on the obvious roles tied to your major. For example, a computer science student might initially aim to become a software developer. However, being part of a co-op program has shown me the importance of exploring a variety of roles, opening my eyes to opportunities I hadn't previously considered.
• Appreciating diverse skillsets: Experiencing a variety of roles has not only helped me discover the one best suited for me but has also given me an appreciation of each role's importance within an organization.
• Learning beyond the classroom: College provides a solid foundation, but adapting to the corporate environment requires actual hands-on experience. Co-op programs build not only technical skills but also essential soft skills, elevating problem-solving, collaboration and communication to a professional level.

Co-op programs build not only technical skills but also elevate problem-solving, collaboration, and communication to a professional level.How do you start and maintain a co-op program?

Maintaining a successful co-op program relies heavily on the support of managers, mentors and advisors. They play key roles in ensuring the program not only sustains itself but also serves as a pipeline for well-equipped employees.

Building a program that goes beyond basic maintenance requires securing buy-in from the company. From an HR perspective, offering competitive benefits and valuable learning opportunities is essential. This includes building relationships with the schools providing talent.

Co-op programs naturally evolve with each new group of students, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives. Adaptability is key to success as it enables the program to meet evolving needs while still providing valuable experience to students and the company.

When a program succeeds in transitioning co-op participants to full-time employees, it generates further support and validation. This creates opportunities to expand, refine and enhance the program, ensuring long-term success for both the students and the company.

How has it gone?

From communication to teamwork, I feel like I've grown tremendously during my time in the co-op program. I can't even imagine navigating the transition to a first job after college without this experience. The amount of feedback I've received has been instrumental in helping me break out of my shell and build confidence. And I know I'm not the only one - many of my fellow co-ops have similar stories to share.

One co-op, Lucas, shared how working at Adtran has "broadened [his] horizons beyond school - from forming valuable relationships to learning a variety of skills that have helped [him] become a better engineer, programmer and professional."

Rachel, a marketing intern, described her experience as eye-opening: "Being able to collaborate and share my ideas with others without them being overshadowed has given me a sense of confidence." She added, "Before, I was worried that school had not prepared me enough, but now that I'm in it, I feel confident and equipped with the resources needed to succeed."

The impact of a co-op program can clearly be transformative. It doesn't just help students build up skills but also empowers us to join the workforce with confidence and real-world experience.

Looking forward

Adtran's co-op program has produced many exceptional mentors and engineers, and I'm glad to be among my fellow co-ops. Maintaining such a program is vital for building a pipeline of diverse skillsets, perspectives and talent.

As co-ops transition into full-time employees, they carry forward the skills and values they developed as students, applying them in more impactful ways. Investing in a co-op program goes beyond mentoring students; it's about nurturing future leaders, engineers and innovators who will push the limits of the industry.