Co-op & Internship: The Three C’s

The Ohio State University does not have a required co-op program for engineering students.  However, the Engineering Career Services office has an outstanding Engineering Co-op and Internship Program designed to support students in their career development and job search.  The benefits of this program and its structure can be summed up as the Three C’s: Choice, Connections, and Career management for life.

CHOICE:

Because the program is not required nor embedded into the curriculum, you have a great deal of flexibility and you control all aspects of your experience.  You will choose the following:

• Which semesters you work
• How many semesters you work
• Where you work (company and location)
• Industry in which you work
• Type of experience: multiple rotations in a co-op vs. internships with several companies

*It is up to you to be proactive and work with your academic advisor to determine which semesters will work best with your desired graduation plan. We encourage students to consider internships and co-ops during the school year; although graduation may be pushed back, this does not change the number of semesters of full-time coursework (usually 8) it takes to complete a degree.

CONNECTIONS:

By registering with ECS and participating in the ECIP program, you will gain access to over 2000 employers from a variety of industries. General Electric, Honda, NASA, Disney, and JPMorgan Chase are a few of the top ECIP employers. You will have the opportunity to network with these and others through the following avenues:

• Company info sessions, Meet n Greets, Career Fairs
• On-Campus Interviewing opportunities
• Job Postings specifically for Ohio State engineering students
• Special events such as professional development workshops, the Recruiter-in-Residence program, and the Job Shadow Program

CAREER MANAGEMENT FOR LIFE:  

While ECS provides resources and access to employers, it is up to you to manage your search.  It is expected that Millennials will have had 12-15 jobs in their lifetime.  The skills you learn through your engagement with ECS and the ECIP program will enable you to be a successful job seeker for the rest of your life. Such skills include:

• Networking and utilizing social media in the job search
• Nailing an interview
• Writing professional correspondence
• Developing a focused and tailored resume
• Navigating a career fair
• Negotiating an offer
• Utilizing online resources (Indeed, Glassdoor, SimplyHired)