Find Schools That Focus on Career Prep
Getting work experience in college can help students land jobs after graduation.
Students can gain that experience through cooperative education programs, which are paid full-time jobs that typically last three to 12 months; internships; or other service-based experiential learning programs.
In U.S. News’ spring 2017 survey, college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students and deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools most frequently nominated the following 20 schools — listed alphabetically — as examples of institutions with stellar internship and co-op programs.
Belmont University (TN)
U.S. News rank: 5, Regional Universities (South)
Overview: Belmont University offers career coaching to help students create an internship and job search strategy and provides them with feedback on resumes and cover letters. Students can also practice their interviewing skills through an online streaming service.
Bentley University (MA)
U.S. News rank: 2, Regional Universities (North)
Overview: Bentley University‘s HIRE Education programs help students build on their career development skills every year. Starting freshman year, students have the option to take career development seminars; join career communities that connect students with professionals, students and faculty; and participate in other career-oriented events.
Berea College (KY)
U.S. News rank: 68 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Overview: Through its Labor Program, all Berea College students are required to work 10-15 hours a week in approved jobs on campus or in the community while maintaining a full academic course load.
Butler University (IN)
U.S. News rank: 2, Regional Universities (Midwest)
Overview: Butler University offers students a variety of career development options, including the opportunity to participate in career communities that connect students with a network of alumni, employers and parent mentors to help students find, learn and develop their interests.
Claremont McKenna College (CA)
U.S. News rank: 8 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Overview: Claremont McKenna College provides funding for freshmen, sophomores and juniors to pursue domestic and international experiences through its Sponsored Internships & Experiences Program. Accepted students can receive a stipend covering between four to 12 weeks of work. The average stipend for 2017 was $3,400, according to the university’s website.
Cornell University (NY)
U.S. News rank: 14 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Cornell University has a variety of summer programs to help students build experiences in their desired career fields. These include Cornell in Hollywood, a program that provides film-related internships in Los Angeles, and a 10-week internship that gives students experience at entrepreneurial companies.
Creighton University (NE)
U.S. News rank: 1, Regional Universities (Midwest)
Overview: Creighton University‘s EDGE Program provides students with a variety of paths to developing their career interests, which includes a shadowing program. Students planning to apply to professional programs in health and law are matched with a professional to observe for a day.
Drexel University (PA)
U.S. News rank: 94 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Depending on their major, Drexel University students may have to complete one to three co-ops before graduation. The co-ops are full-time jobs for six months. Students start their co-ops during sophomore year after taking preparation courses their freshman year.
Elon University (NC)
U.S. News rank: 1, Regional Universities (South)
Overview: All students must fulfill an experiential learning requirement to graduate from Elon University. The requirement can be fulfilled through internships, co-ops, studying abroad, independent research, service-learning projects or a mentored leadership position.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (FL)
U.S. News rank: 12 (tie), Regional Universities (South)
Overview: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University partners with a range of government agencies, national labs and employers. Students can apply for internships, co-op programs and research opportunities.
Endicott College (MA)
U.S. News rank: 34 (tie), Regional Universities (North)
Overview: All students are required to complete three internships during their four-year program at Endicott College. Students complete an internship preparation course during their first semester in college.
Georgia Institute of Technology
U.S. News rank: 34 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Georgia Tech offers an optional five-year co-op program. Students alternate semesters between working full time and taking classes.
Kettering University (MI)
U.S. News rank: 26 (tie), Regional Universities (Midwest)
Overview: All Kettering University students are required to participate in some form of experiential learning, including co-ops.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
U.S. News rank: 5 (tie), National Universities
Overview: MIT offers numerous internship programs for students. One program, the MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives, matches students with international all-expenses-paid internships and research positions.
Messiah College (PA)
U.S. News rank: 4, Regional Colleges (North)
Overview: All students at Messiah College complete at least one approved experiential learning opportunity, which can include an internship, service learning, leadership or an undergraduate research program.
Northeastern University (MA)
U.S. News rank: 40 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Northeastern University students are required to take a co-op preparation course to learn resume writing, interviewing skills, professional etiquette in the workplace and career exploration tips. They are also required to meet with their co-op coordinator before they participate in their first co-op. More than 75 percent of students complete two or more co-ops before graduating, according to the school’s website.
Purdue University–West Lafayette (IN)
U.S. News rank: 56 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Students who participate in Purdue University‘s three- or five-session co-op program must work with the same employer for all sessions. The goal is to allow students to build relationships with their employer, work on more projects and increase responsibilities, according to the university’s website.
Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
U.S. News rank: 97 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Co-op requirements at RIT vary by college and major and may be optional or required. Annually, more than 600 companies come to RIT’s recruiting events, and more than 1,900 employers work with the school’s co-op program, according to the university’s website.
University of Cincinnati
U.S. News rank: 133 (tie), National Universities
Overview: Students with majors in the schools of engineering and applied sciences and design are required to participate in the University of Cincinnati‘s co-op program. Students complete three to five semesters of co-ops before graduation. The co-op program is also open to students in a few other select majors. Students who aren’t able to participate in the university’s more than 100-year-old program have the option to get internships or participate in other international or national service-learning programs.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA)
U.S. News rank: 61 (tie), National Universities
Overview: WPI students have the opportunity to participate in co-ops and internships. The school’s project-based learning plan also allows students to get hands-on experience in the classroom through required projects aimed at solving real-world problems.
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Top Colleges, Universities for Internship, Co-Op Programs originally appeared on usnews.com
