RIT Co-op Program

For more than 100 years, a hallmark of RIT has been the practical work experience provided through Cooperative education (co-op). Co-op entails full-time, paid work experience directly related to a student’s field of study and career interests. The experience provides valuable learning for students and productive work for employers. Emphasizing real-world tasks, the co-op experience evolves with students' increased knowledge, skills, and experiences.

Did you know?

5th

RIT is ranked 5th among national universities for excellent co-op or internship programs by U.S. News & World Report

4.2k

4,278 students completed 5,800 co-op assignments with 1,811 employers in the U.S. and abroad last year

95%

Ninety-five percent of co-op employers said they would hire their co-op student for a full-time position

4th

RIT’s co-op program is the fourth oldest and one of the largest in the world

Benefits

Employers enjoy many benefits from hiring co-op students:

  • Students produce immediate and valuable results at a relatively low cost
  • Students bring fresh perspective, ideas, and knowledge to the workplace
  • Current employees, with the help of co-ops, can take on new tasks and assignments
  • Identification and recruitment of top-performing students for full-time roles post-graduation
  • Co-ops act as ambassadors for organizations when they return to campus
  • Co-op engagement can pave the way for fostering additional valuable partnerships with RIT

Academic Schedule

Dates reflect first day of classes and last day of exams. Students may have the flexibility to begin work earlier or continue their co-op beyond the start and end dates during the RIT semester breaks. View RIT Academic Calendar



Spring Semester

Jan. 16–May 8, 2024


Summer Term

May 15–Aug. 13, 2024


Fall Semester

Aug. 26–Dec. 18, 2024


Semester Break

Dec. 19, 2024–Jan. 12, 2025

Recruit RIT students through a personalized curated list of services. Learn more

Employer Responsibilities

To ensure a successful co-op experience, it is crucial to discuss and clarify expectations for both employers and students. Here are key guidelines:

  • Equal Treatment: Treat the co-op student as you would any new employee, fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.
  • Thorough Orientation: Provide a comprehensive orientation to the department and the overall organization, ensuring the co-op student understands the broader context of their work.
  • Facility Tour: Familiarize the co-op student with the work environment by offering a tour of the facilities, helping them feel acclimated and comfortable in their new surroundings.
  • Organizational Structure: Clearly articulate how co-op students fit into the organizational structure, providing insight into their role and contributions within the larger framework.
  • Adherence to Policies: Communicate that co-op students are subject to the same procedures, regulations, and policies as the organization's permanent employees, establishing a consistent and fair working environment.
  • Mentorship: Consider assigning a mentor or trusted colleague at the outset to assist the co-op student in navigating the new work environment. This mentorship can provide valuable support and guidance throughout the co-op experience.

Supervision

To enhance the co-op experience, consider the following:

  • Designated Supervisor: Assign a specific supervisor who is readily available for questions, provides clear direction, and offers assistance when needed.
  • Adaptive Workload: Pay close attention to adapting the co-op student's workload as their skills evolve, ensuring a challenging yet developmental experience.
  • Share Success Stories: Career Services welcomes employer testimonials and updates on achievements and successes of our students.
  • Address Performance Concerns: Should any issues or concerns arise regarding a co-op student's work performance, don't hesitate to contact Career Services for guidance and resolution. Open communication ensures a successful co-op partnership for both the employer and the student.

Evaluation

Toward the end of each academic term, you will receive an email from Career Services with a link to a co-op student evaluation form. The evaluation provides the student, their academic department, and Career Services valuable feedback regarding the student's job performance. It is required for students to receive credit for their experience. Use the evaluation to:

  • Provide formalized performance feedback for your co-op student.
  • Realistically assess your student’s strengths and weaknesses.
  • Make recommendations for the student’s further professional and academic development.

Learn More

Keep Us Involved

  • Let us know when you fill a position and hire a Tiger.
  • We welcome stories of the achievements and successes of our co-op students.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you are concerned about the work performance of your co-op, or wish to share a success story.

Job Offer Guidelines

There are several national and RIT policies that ensure equal opportunities for our students. Learn more about Recruitment Expectations

International Experience Program

Benefits

Through our International Experience Program, Career Services aims to expand our employer partnerships to offer more international co-op, internship, and other related work experiences.

There are unique advantages to employing co-ops abroad as RIT students are:

  • Mature and prepared to be effective employees as they have completed at least one co-op
  • Passionate about being successful in a global economy and committed to applying best practices
  • Knowledgeable about cutting-edge technologies and can provide insight to your teams
  • Qualified candidates who will have expertise in their field as well as global experience to fill your future full-time positions
     

Preparing our Students

Before our students take part in a work abroad experience, Career Services ensures they are ready to apply their skills effectively to your workplace by:

  • Requiring at least one year of language training for the country in which they will be working
  • Providing cultural adjustment training and tips for living and working abroad
  • Offering training on health and safety practices when living and working overseas
  • Assisting with work permit and visa paperwork as needed
  • Providing ongoing communication and support while students are abroad
     

Become a Partner

If you are interested in becoming a partner in our International Experience Program or have any questions, please contact Maria Richart, Director of Career Services and Co-op, at mjroce@rit.edu. Our team will request you have prepared the following:

  • A job description aligned with your organization's interests and needs. This position can be for a 4-8 month timeframe and should benefit both the student and your organization.
  • Compensation that minimally covers the cost of living in the country. Students are responsible for travel to your location overseas; however, we appreciate any assistance you can provide in locating housing close to your organization’s site.
  • Appropriate training and mentoring to the student during their program.
  • A willingness to complete an online evaluation of the student’s work performance toward the end of their program.
     

Highlighted Partners

The following organizations have joined RIT’s International Experience Program to provide students with co-op and internship positions abroad.

Employers

  • Briggs of Burton PLC
  • Box International
  • FOGRA, Germany
  • Schott
  • Cunard
  • Wooga
  • Xerox Research Center Europe
  • University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, Wales

Partnerships

  • CIS Abroad
  • Cultural Vistas
  • DAAD German Academic Exchange Service
  • Dream Careers
  • Global Experiences
  • IASTE
  • A Door to Italy

What our International Experience Program Partners are Saying

“Cultural Vistas is always thrilled to partner with RIT’s Work Abroad Program to send top students on international internships. RIT students have an eagerness to pursue a diverse range of opportunities which take them all over the globe. The coordination and support that Cultural Vistas receives from the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education is invaluable to the success of our programs.” Katerina Holubova, Senior Program Director, Internships Abroad

“We have been hosting RIT interns for five years and the opportunity has been really beneficial for both the students and us, as their employers. The biomedical photography students we host get to see a wide range of clinical work at a major UK hospital, working with colleagues and other members of the healthcare team and most importantly patients, developing interpersonal skills and applied photographic techniques. The students are always keen to learn and, importantly for us, share their knowledge and the new skills they are learning at RIT. The students we have worked with have all gone on to make a successful starts to their careers and it is great to have played a small part in that.”Paul Crompton, University Hospital, Cardiff, Wales

FAQ

Here are some questions you may have as an employer about co-op. Please contact Career Services with any additional questions or concerns at 585-475-2301 or careerservices@rit.edu.

Plan for appropriate supervision and mentorship of the co-op student. Review potential job responsibilities to determine if they are appropriate. Establish an appropriate pay and benefit structure, which may include assistance to the student in relocating to your area and obtaining safe and affordable housing.

Students are available to work for one or two consecutive terms; availability may vary from program to program.

View the Academic Schedule

No. There is no formal contract between RIT, the employer, and the student. There is an ethical responsibility on both sides to follow the agreed-upon terms of co-op employment.

As the employing organization, you do. We provide data regarding co-op salaries paid to current students and can assist you in determining an appropriate wage.

Employer housing assistance ranges from providing housing recommendations to arranging subsidized living quarters.

Our clear understanding is that the emphasis from the ACA (American Healthcare Act) ruling is on “offering” not “providing” coverage. Consequently, if the student is already covered and does not require the employer-offered insurance, then the employer obligation is met.

Discuss your employment needs with a program coordinator within our office. We can provide information on RIT’s academic programs and facilitate contact with faculty.

If an employer must withdraw an offer of employment, please contact Career Services immediately at 585-475-2301 or careerservices@rit.edu.

If circumstances require you to alter your commitment, please let us know immediately. You can reach Career Services at 585-475-2301 or careerservices@rit.edu.

Yes, students on co-op are treated as full-time employees of the organization and should follow the required procedures and policies of that organization. 

We expect RIT students to honor their commitments unless it puts the student's welfare at risk. Understandably, some students may be nervous about travel or relocation. We are available to provide them with support and guidance. 

Career services coordinators will work with employers to determine how to best proceed. We have counseled students to reach out to our office if they have any concerns with regards to co-op employment.

Yes, but cooperative education requires that students are in significant meaningful college-appropriate work assignments. Contact Career Services to discuss at 585-475-2301 or careerservices@rit.edu.

Cooperative education is for a limited time only and with established start and end dates. Eligibility for unemployment compensation is governed by state law, and in most circumstances, co-op students are not eligible for unemployment compensation at the end of their co-op experience. In the event that a student is terminated from a co-op position prior to its originally scheduled end date, eligibility for unemployment compensation, if any, will be determined by the specific facts of the termination and applicable state laws.

Currently, in the State of New York, co-op students are not eligible by law for Unemployment Insurance Benefits resulting from their co-op work experience.