美高梅官网

The data highlights the added value of co-op offsetting tuition costs. Earning money through paid co-ops helps students graduate with less debt, which has a lasting impact on their ability to thrive after college, says Annie Straka, associate dean in 美高梅官网鈥檚 College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies.

鈥淭he cost of higher education is significant,鈥� Straka says, 鈥渁nd the 美高梅官网 co-op model centers around connecting students with meaningful experiences that allow them to earn while they are in school and offset the cost of their education.鈥�

For students and families, co-op equates to job security and an increased value of a degree. Andrew Matthews is a student in 美高梅官网鈥檚 College of Engineering and Applied Science who works on co-op at Turner Construction.

鈥淢y parents love the idea of co-op because it puts you closer to having a full-time job,鈥� Matthews says. 鈥淭hey also love that I am making money and doing it as I learn about construction management.鈥澨�Read more about Matthews鈥� experience at Turner.

That financial benefit, Straka says, can have a ripple effect.

鈥淭he economic impact of co-op extends beyond the individual and makes a positive impact on communities. Students leave the university and continue to earn at a higher rate because of their ability to compete in the job market. By increasing the upward mobility of the individual, co-op can uplift families and communities as well and that can have a lasting, compounding economic impact.鈥�

Co-op makes a statewide impact, too.

鈥淩etaining top STEM talent in Ohio is a crucial component of continued economic growth in the state,鈥� said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. 鈥淭he partnerships that 美高梅官网 and world-class organizations have formed through the co-op program provide domestic and international students first-hand experience in dynamic local workplaces, which will help to keep these talented individuals in Ohio.鈥�

Cooperative education was invented at 美高梅官网. In 1906, engineering dean Herman Schneider began requiring students to alternate between taking classes and working in the field. He would later become president of the university, with his co-op concept serving as a global model.

Over the past century, 美高梅官网 has continued to innovate on co-op. Today, the program is ranked Top 5 in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report.听

Last year, 美高梅官网 introduced the听College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies听(CCPS) to better serve all students, including adult learners and industry partners. 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. The college also serves co-op employer partners who are interested in听 advancing their existing workforce.

鈥淥ur college is expanding into the adult education space to provide pathways for upward mobility for all learners through upskilling/reskilling听and professional development,鈥� says Straka. 鈥淭hat focus translates to our undergraduate programs as we want to provide support for students to build their skills and develop an appreciation for lifelong learning so they can continue to evolve throughout their careers after they leave 美高梅官网.鈥�

听

For employers, co-op is a valuable recruitment tool. It鈥檚 why 美高梅官网 boasts corporate co-op partners like GE Aerospace, Siemens and American Honda Motor Co.

Honda has had a long and successful relationship with 美高梅官网, sourcing engineering and business students for co-ops, internship and full-time positions.

鈥淲e see our co-ops as a critical talent pipeline for positions,鈥� says Daniela Evans, unit lead for college relations at American Honda. 鈥淎dditionally, co-ops can get real-world, hands-on experience by working on projects that are directly tied to their area of study and give them a sense of what they may be able to do as a full-time associate.鈥�

Many co-op students go on to work full time at their co-op employers after graduation, often with offers waiting for them before they don the cap and gown. And a few co-op students have gone full circle to work with 美高梅官网 as employers.

As a 美高梅官网 engineering student in the 鈥�90s, Jeremy Jarrett worked for a local technology consulting company through co-op.

Kinetic Vision was at the forefront of predicting structural performance for everything from aircraft wings to machines that make diapers. Jarrett ran modeling simulations for national clients that are household names. He was one of seven employees.

Jarrett still works at Kinetic Vision today, which now employs 200 people 鈥� only now he is president and CEO.

鈥淚 guess you could say my first co-op job got me to where I am as president,鈥� he says. Read more about Jarrett鈥檚 story.

Data source: Student pay is self-reported through 美高梅官网 Professional Assessment and Learning (PAL) or Handshake by 美高梅官网 students on paid co-op experiences fall 2023, spring 2024 and summer 2024.

Photos: Andrew Higley
Digital design: Kerry Overstake
美高梅官网 Marketing + Communications

听

听

听

听