Cooperative Education and Internships

Cooperative Education and Internships:
The Perfect Complements to Your Degree

There’s a classic conundrum that recent college graduates have to untangle: Employers want candidates who have work experience. But how do you get experience without a job?

That’s easy. Get a co-op or internship.

There’s a reason RIT is ranked 11^th among top schools for co-op and internship programs by U.S. News & World Report (2023). Our cooperative education program is designed to provide you with career experience–early and often–in a variety of industries and environments. And, with cooperative education and internships built into most programs, and available and encouraged in all majors, you’ll gain the experience that sets you apart–experience that employers look for in their next top hires.

Learn more about RIT co-op and how it can provide an unparalleled career experience that sets you apart.

Learn from students about their co-op experience and how it prepared them for outstanding careers even before they graduate.

At RIT, our students earn more than a degree. They graduate with real, relevant career experience. And that’s because of RIT’s co-op and internship program.

RIT has one of the best university co-op programs in the world. We have built relationships with thousands of companies and organizations in nearly every type of career field. Last year, more than 4,500 students participated in co-op and internship positions with more than 3,400 hiring organizations, from large Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders, to small start-ups and world-class not-for-profits.

What is a cooperative education program?

A cooperative education program combines classroom learning with hands-on experience gained in industry. At RIT, co-op is built into most programs. You’ll alternate blocks of co-op with semesters of on-campus study. On co-op, you’ll work in industry learning the ins and outs of professional life in your degree field. RIT’s co-op program is designed for you to gain real career experience by completing meaningful projects and assignments for your co-op employer, work that contributes to a company’s objectives and goals. Your co-op is also supervised, which provides mentoring opportunities and one-on-one collaboration with professionals in the field.

What is an internship?

Like co-ops, internships are hands-on experience in your career field. They can range from a few hours a week to full-time employment, and everything in between. Some internships may be paid and some may be unpaid, depending on the employer and the career field. While most RIT majors require co-op, a few encourage internships because in some degree fields, internships tend to be more common. While internships may differ in length from co-ops, they are equally as valuable in providing career experience, hands-on learning, and professional exposure.

Co-op vs. Internship: What’s the difference?

Co-op vs. Internship. It’s a common question we’re always asked. So what’s the difference between the two? Both co-ops and internships are immeasurable in providing hands-on career experience.

In general, cooperative education is more significant than your typical internship. Co-ops are full-time employment and range in duration from one semester or one summer term to longer back-to-back co-op blocks (e.g., summer term plus fall semester; spring semester plus summer term). In some industries, such as engineering and computing, co-op is more common. At RIT, all co-op positions are paid.

In general, internships can range from a few hours a week to full-time employment. In some industries, such as communication and journalism, internships are standard. Not all internships are paid.

In both cases, you will earn credit for your co-op or internship experience. And both give you the experience you need that sets you apart from competitors.

How to get a co-op or internship

At RIT, students are responsible for identifying and applying to co-op and internship positions. However, RIT has built partnerships with more than 3,400 hiring organizations and we assist in connecting you to thousands of employers who are looking to hire students for co-op and internships. Two campus-wide career fairs–one in the fall and one in the spring–welcome hundreds of employers to campus. At these career fairs, employers meet directly with students and conduct hundreds of on-campus interviews. In addition, several academic programs host specialized career fairs. These smaller, major-specific events present opportunities for one-on-one conversations with employers who are looking to hire students from particular degree programs.

In addition, many employers seek out our students specifically for co-ops and internships, knowing that they will be hiring a prepared, well-rounded student who can make meaningful contributions to their organizations.

A World Leader in Co-op

There’s a reason RIT has one of the best university co-op programs in the world. We have been offering a college co-op program for more than 100 years. We value the preparedness and practice co-ops and internships provide, and the myriad ways that it benefits all. Simply put, cooperative education and internships are the career experience that converts knowledge into know-how, skills into expertise, and thinkers into doers.

Career experience is the crucial element that makes an RIT education exceptional.

^$58M

Total earned annually by RIT students on co‑op

Students participate in co‑op and internships

2.2K

Hiring Organizations

95^%

Of co‑op employers said they would hire their RIT co‑op student for a full‑time position

8 Reasons Why Co-op and Internships are the Keys to Success

1. High employment outcome
RIT has an overall 95 percent outcomes rate. Students gain experience early and often, apply their learning in meaningful ways, contribute to real-world problems, and build resumes that aren’t the least bit padded.

2. Career experience before you graduate
Through your interaction with industry experts, exploration of professional work environments, understanding of perspectives, and application of skills in real world settings, you’ll amass solid, career-focused experience. You are well-positioned for outstanding employment opportunities.

3. Test drive career options
Co-ops and internships are a great way to explore different jobs, industries, and types of organizations with no risk, helping you make a more informed decision about the types of careers and work environments you most enjoy working.

4. Earn a full-time salary
You’ll earn a full-time salary as you gain experience on co-op. This can be used to support your tuition and help offset college expenses, or it can set you up for financial independence after graduation.

5. No fees or tuition
You won’t be charged fees or tuition for your co-ops or internships, because we believe you should be able to focus on developing your skills, gaining hands-on experience, and exploring your professional future without worrying about extra expenses.

6. Extraordinary employer and alumni partnerships
Industry partnerships provide unmatched opportunities at influential, innovative companies worldwide. And, with 135,000 alumni working around the globe, you’ll benefit from a network of professionals ready to advise and support your career aspirations.

7. Unparalleled support
RIT’s career services advisors do more than help you identify and apply to co-op and internship positions. They continually check in, provide guidance and support, and are an invaluable resource for all of your professional inquires while you’re off gaining career experience.

8. Develop the critical skills that lead to success
RIT can teach you the technical and analytical skills that make you a valuable employee. But the critical success skills–leadership, judgment, attitude, self-confidence, etiquette awareness, professionalism–those are the competencies that truly set you apart, and the skills that can only be learned on the job.

Stepping Up

Ashley Kosak

Mechanical Engineering

It might be just a stool, but it represents more than reaching equipment in the Machine Shop. It’s a symbol of the heightened awareness and inclusivity of women in engineering at RIT. After graduation, Kosak wants to influence change by helping women pursue careers in engineering.
Giving a Voice to a Community

Tianna Manon '15

Communication

As an alum of the journalism program, Manon has put into practice the storytelling platforms and opportunities She took advantage of at RIT. Today, Manon serves as editor-in-chief of Open Mic Rochester, an online magazine that gives a voice to Rochester’s black community.
The Physics of Animation

Mari Jaye Blanchard

Assistant Professor

School of Film & Animation

To create movement, Blanchard’s classes are full of motion, with students jumping, crawling, and walking to better understand the physics they are trying to draw.
The Sky’s the Limit

Aaron Gordon

Film and Animation

Gordon started Optic Sky, an animation company, after graduating from RIT with a degree in film. He helps develop new talent by inviting RIT students to work on his production crews.
Eye on the Prize

Lily Lautenschlager

Biomedical Photographic Communications

Lautenschlager's passion for helping others drew her to a co-op opportunity in the medical science field. Through hands-on experience studying the eye, Lily has secured a part-time job while she continues her education at RIT.
Advancing the Success of Women

Shannon McHale

Cybersecurity

As head of public relations for Women in Computing, McHale strives to organize professional opportunities for its members, advancing women’s experience in computing majors, and giving back to a club that has given her so much.
Picture Perfect

Amelia Hamilton

Photography

With only a split second to get the perfect shot, Hamilton's passion for capturing emotion is an asset to creating authentic images in the moment.
Architecture Is Awesome

Blair Benson

Architecture M.Arch.

When Blair changed careers she realized that it is never too late to pursue your passion. Now she embraces the collaborative nature of the design process, combining functionality, aesthetic appeal, and responsible practices in her architectural work.
Power Combination

Diana Solt BS ’10, MS ’17

Lead, Strategy Development

L3/Harris Corp. Communication Systems

Combining her technology degree with liberal arts provided Diana Solt the powerful combination she needed to develop business strategies for L3/Harris.
Medicine's Future

Nicole Pannullo

Biochemistry

By working on a faculty-guided research project, Pannullo has gained hands-on research experience to pursue a future in regenerative medicine. It’s one way Pannullo is putting experiential learning to work.
Relationships Are Key to Success

Jess Sudol '06

VP/Civil Dept. Manager - Passero Associates

Building relationships and honing communication skills are crucial skills for success in any field. Passero Associates has recognized the collaborative nature of RIT students. They continue to hire RIT students and graduates for their dynamic interpersonal skills as well as their knowledge.
The Hands of Time

Landyn Hatch

Museum Studies

At RIT’s makerspace you’re free to design, test, tinker, and build. Hatch utilizes The Construct to create 3D-printed mannequin hands for Genesee Country Village & Museum's 19-century clothing exhibit.
Headed to Google

Ethelia Lung

New Media Design

The skills Lung learned in the new media design major prepared her for an internship at Google. This career-related work experience, which turned into a full-time job, is just one of the ways experiential learning shapes a student’s future.
Where You Belong

Corinne Mendieta

Mechanical Engineering Technology

Mendieta has found a home in student government. As vice president she makes sure that all students have what they need to succeed.
MetroGnome

Barrington Campbell

Game Design and Development

Tinkering, testing, designing, coding – it's what he does. Through RIT's game design program, Campbell and his team created a game that garnered attention from 20th Century Fox, leading him to an internship with the company.
Enhancing Reality

Kevin Kha

Imaging Science

Kha interned with Oculus testing their next generation of VR cameras, which have the potential to aid law enforcement and impact learning in schools. The internship turned into a full-time job, and Kha plans to work on enhancing the VR experience.

RIT’s Outstanding Hiring Partners

We couldn’t possibly list all 3,400 of our hiring partners. It’s a list that keeps on growing.
But here’s a sample of some of the places around the world where you might find yourself working.