UC connects students to real world work experience through co ops

UC connects students to real-world work experience through co-ops

Cincinnati boasts America's largest co-op employer program

By Stephen KenneyEmail StephenEmail Stephen

5 minute readOctober 3, 2024Share on facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print StoryLike

The University of Cincinnati's co-op program has grown tremendously since its founding in 1906, with the school ranking fifth nationwide in experience-based learning.

Students collectively earned $88.8 million last year alternating between college courses and on-the-job training with employers such as GE Aerospace, Disney, Toyota, Kroger and Procter & Gamble.

Today, UC's co-op program continues to expand through the establishment of the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS), a school dedicated to connecting students with lucrative job opportunities. Another key step in bettering access to co-ops and internships is tight integration with UC's 1819 Innovation Hub, an on-campus corporate crossroads and startup accelerator.

Where co-ops have been

It's no exaggeration to say that co-ops and internships have taken UC students almost everywhere, with nearly 2,000 unique employers having hired Bearcats just last year. That comes as no surprise to most UC students since full-time co-ops are required to graduate from UC's College of Engineering and Applied Science, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, School of Information Technology and Carl H. Lindner College of Business.

One of the simplest ways for Bearcats to find compelling co-op and internship opportunities is by reaching out to employers in the 1819 Innovation Hub. Strategically placed in the Cincinnati Innovation District, companies of various sizes and industries come to 1819 to gain access to talented Bearcats across multiple disciplines.

Students who participate in UC's co-op program get meaningful hands-on opportunities, earning while they learn.

Michelle ClareDean, UC's College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies

The 1819 Innovation Hub is home to corporate behemoths such as Fifth Third Bank, Procter & Gamble, Kroger, and Western & Southern Financial Group, along with various midsize companies and startups. These businesses are extraordinarily rare for college students to access, especially under one roof, making the 1819 Innovation Hub a critical piece of the school's ability to run a successful co-op program.

According to Michelle Clare, dean of the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies, "The College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies collaborates with UC's 1819 Innovation Hub to connect employers with student talent through extensive recruiting and development opportunities." The partnership's result: "Students who participate in UC's co-op program get meaningful hands-on opportunities, earning while they learn."

Where co-ops are going

Innovation reigns supreme at UC, meaning the school's co-op and internship programs continuously advance over time. One of UC's recent prominent initiatives: dedicating CCPS as its own college.

"UC introduced the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies to better serve all students as well as industry partners," Clare said. "As a dedicated college, CCPS continues to collaborate with industry and collegiate partners to offer co-op and experiential learning opportunities for students while expanding its mission to serve adult learners pursuing career advancement."

UC's co-op and internship programs aren't slowing down, as Clare said the college's goals have shifted from laying down critical infrastructure toward strategy and growth. Similar priorities have been set at the 1819 Innovation Hub, an essential component of UC's impressive talent pipeline.

"This is a great opportunity to more widely showcase and market the expertise of UC to a broader audience," Clare said. "It is something we can all get behind that allows us to serve more people within the city, region and beyond for years to come."

Featured image at top: UC students on co-op with FIS at the 1819 Innovation Hub. Photo/UC Marketing + Communications

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