Top Industries Actively Hiring Cooperative Program Graduates

The Value of Cooperative Education in Career Growth

Welcome to our guide to the top industries hiring cooperative program graduates today. We’ll look at the excellent employment opportunities in these industries. Then, we’ll discuss effective steps in choosing the best co-op programs for your needs.

What is cooperative education anyway? In 1906, engineering professor Herman Schneider created the world’s first co-op education program. This was at the University of Cincinnati with engineering students as participants.

Today, more than 1,000 colleges and universities in the US offer co-op education programs. Northeastern, Drexel, and Cincinnati offer among the best programs. Many co-op programs are in engineering, technology, business, and healthcare.

Then and now, co-op education programs operate on an alternating study-work model. Students take on a full academic load in one semester. Then, they work as full-time or part-time employees in the next semester.

Note that co-op education programs are formal partnerships between the colleges and employers. Co-op student employees usually receive wages based on an employment contract.

Co-op education brings these benefits to students:

• Gain practical work experience that bridges the knowledge-skills gap
• Improve your academic experience and performance
• Build industry-specific hard and soft skills
• Earn money for college costs and living expenses
• Expand your personal and professional network
• Explore your career options

Cooperative program graduates also report higher employability and job satisfaction. The main reason is better alignment between their job, skills, and goals. Graduates also assert better preparation for the challenges of their jobs.

Related Articles:

• Best Cooperative Programs for STEM Majors
• Best Cooperative Programs in Health and Medicine
• Top Cooperative Programs for Business and Management Students
• Online Colleges with Cooperative Education Programs: Combining Learning with Real-World Experience

Technology: A Leading Industry for Co-op Graduates

The technology industry is among the top three industries hiring co-op graduates for many reasons. Co-op graduates bring these traits to technology jobs:

• Hands-on work experience aligned with their majors
• Industry-specific technical skills related to their job descriptions, such as data analysis
• Familiarity with the work environment, including the corporate culture and dynamics
• Can quickly adapt to new situations and willingness to learn, especially emerging and cutting-edge technologies 
• Strong sense of professionalism and work ethic

Technology is also among the high-demand fields for co-op students for many reasons. First, computer and technology occupations have a projected growth rate as high as 18% (2023-2033). This means about 356,700 openings every year, on average.

Second, the median wage for these occupations was $104,420 per year (May 2023). Meanwhile, the median wage for all occupations was $48,060 per year (May 2023). Indeed, computer and technology occupations are among the highest-paying jobs in the country. With new technologies emerging, their skills and expertise are welcome in diverse industries, too.

Third, most of these occupations only require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions. Career advancement opportunities are available with extensive work experience, advanced degrees, and professional certifications.

Among the most popular technology jobs for co-op students and graduates include: (Figures in parentheses are median annual wages)

• Software developers design computer programs and applications. Software quality assurance analysts and testers work on the finished products to test their quality. ($130,160)
• Database administrators and architects develop and manage storage systems for data. ($117,450)
• Computer systems analysts recommend ways of improving computer systems. ($103,800)
• Data analysts extract useful information and insights from data for decision-making purposes. ($84,362)
• Computer support specialists provide technical assistance and maintain computer networks. ($60,810)

With machine learning and AI on the rise, computer and technology professionals are in higher demand. Suffice it to say that in the Digital Age, you can create opportunities for yourself if you have the skills and connections.

Engineering: Building the Future with Cooperative Program Talent

The engineering industry also welcomes co-op graduates for many reasons. Co-op graduates bring these valuable aspects to their jobs.

• Hands-on technical work experience in real-world settings
• Knowledge of industry standards, laws, and regulations
• Specialized knowledge and skills depending on their discipline, such as civil or mechanical engineering
• Ability to adapt to rapid changes in engineering technology
• Soft skills that enable them to work in every engineering setting
• In-depth understanding of project lifecycle

Engineering co-op opportunities with pay are available to engineering students. But for high-paying jobs, check out the engineering occupations. The median wage for these jobs is $91,420 per year (May 2023). Aerospace engineers, bioengineers, biomedical engineers, and chemical engineers are among the highest-paid engineers.

Plus, engineering occupations have a high projected demand. According to the BLS, about 195,000 openings are available every year, on average, for architecture and engineering occupations. Besides, engineers play crucial roles in building society, literally, so there will always be a demand for them.

These three types of engineers are among the most in-demand in the engineering industry.

• Mechanical engineers are experts who design, build, and test mechanical devices, including machines and tools. ($99,510)
• Civil engineers are tasked to plan, design, and oversee the construction and maintenance of physical structures. These include bridges, buildings, and sewage systems. ($95,890)
• Electrical and electronic engineers plan, design, and oversee the production of electrical equipment and electronic products. Their workplaces are wide-ranging, too, from engineering services to government agencies. ($109,010)

With a steady supply of cooperative program graduates, the engineering industry is, indeed, building the future with these talented and skilled professionals.

Healthcare: Meeting the Growing Demand for Skilled Professionals

Yet another industry with a high demand for cooperative program graduates is the healthcare industry. In fact, it isn’t a stranger, so to speak, to skilled professionals entering the industry soon after graduation. Internships are common among healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses.

Again, graduates of healthcare degree programs are sought-after in the comprehensive healthcare industry for these reasons.

• Hands-on clinical and/or managerial experience in a wide range of workplaces. Hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations are common.
• Practical understanding of patient care, including its technical, legal, and ethical aspects
• Exposure to a wide range of specialties (i.e., clinical rotations). Graduates have a deeper appreciation for the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of healthcare roles.
• Familiarity with the standards, laws, and regulations of the healthcare industry

Co-op graduates with healthcare degrees can look forward to the high demand for their skills. With an aging and growing population, more people are in need of healthcare services. The projected job growth for healthcare occupations is about 1.9 million openings every year, on average (2023-2033).

Many of the healthcare occupations requiring an associate or bachelor’s degree also pay well. Healthcare careers for cooperative program graduates include medical technology, healthcare administration, and support services.

• Medical and health services managers are tasked to oversee the business operations of healthcare facilities. ($110,680)
• Diagnostic medical sonographers, cardiovascular technologists, and technicians only need an associate’s degree. ($80,850)
• Medical dosimetrists must have a bachelor’s degree. ($132,880)
• Radiologic technologists conduct diagnostic imaging examinations and must have an associate’s degree. ($76,020)

Look into other support services roles, too, such as occupational therapy assistants and aides. The beauty of pursuing a healthcare career is the possibilities for career advancement. You can advance from a support role to a management role with extensive work experience and advanced education.

Other High-Demand Industries for Co-op Graduates

Business, finance, and manufacturing are also among the top industries for co-op graduates. Northeastern, Drexel, and Cincinnati offer co-op programs for business and finance students. These three industries also seek co-op graduates for their work ethic, job readiness, and willingness to learn.

Business and financial occupations have a good job growth rate, too. The BLS projects about 963,500 openings every year, on average (2022-2023). Business and finance graduates can also go into business for themselves. The median wage for these occupations is $79,050 per year (May 2023).

The most popular occupations are:

• Accountants and auditors ($79,880)
• Financial analysts ($99,890)
• Financial examiners ($84,300)
• Human resources specialists ($67,650)
• Market research analysts ($74,680)

In the manufacturing sector, popular jobs for co-op graduates include:

• Manufacturing engineers ($94,087)
• Supply chain analysts ($82,638)
• Quality assurance specialists ($71,279)
• Module leads ($115,067)

Don’t limit yourself to these industries, either. Ask your college’s co-op coordinator about job placements in your area of study if your major doesn’t fall into these categories.

How Cooperative Education Programs Boost Employability

Among the foremost benefits of cooperative education is boosting employability in diverse industries. More than 50% of co-op student-employees receive job offers from their co-op employers. Even without a job offer from your co-op employers, you have a competitive edge over those without co-op experience.

Here’s how co-op programs and employment opportunities go hand-in-hand.

Real-world experience

Your co-op employment must be directly related to your college major. The real-world work experience means better application of your knowledge. You gain practical skills and a better perspective of the industry. When you can show both during interviews, you’re almost set.

Be sure to highlight your co-op work experience on application papers, too. You can highlight the skills and lessons you learned during the interview, too. Employers consider it a sign of your above-par skills and willingness to learn.

Skills development

Co-op jobs enable students to build their hard and soft skills. Hard skills show proficiency in job-specific tools and technologies, such as programming. Soft skills are transferable skills with applications in all industries. Employers value communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

When you’re engaged in skills development, you’re more job-ready. You can make a smoother transition from college to the workplace, too.

Networking opportunities

Did you know that roughly 85% of job positions are filled through networking? With 70% of jobs not published publicly, it pays to have an extensive network for job referrals. Plus, networking is valuable in career development and career switch.

These benefits stay from your days as a co-op student to your time as a co-op graduate. Now, that’s an excellent return on investment.

Choosing the Right Co-op Program to Enter Your Desired Industry

With many co-op programs and jobs, it’s a challenge to choose the right one for you. Let’s make it easier by keeping these steps in mind.

• Determine your interests and goals. What do you like working on? What do you want to achieve in your career? What are the steps to achieve them? Think of the education, training, and skills needed.
• Do your research on the industries and companies you want to be in. What are their employment trends? What jobs are available and projected to grow? Read the job descriptions to understand the qualifications, too.
• Consult with your academic advisor and co-op coordinator. You can get insights into the co-op work opportunities available. Ask for recommendations about the best job placements. Use the career development services, too, in searching for co-op jobs.
• Understand the employment contract. Once you’ve identified possible co-op job placement, read the contract. You must understand the terms and conditions before agreeing to them. Check the duration, wages, and employment expectations, among others.
• Ask about the student support services for co-op students in employment. Regular check-ins with your academic advisor and co-op coordinator are a must.
• Determine the favorable aspects of the jobs’ location and logistics. Will you relocate? If so, what are the relocation and housing terms? Are there virtual placements available?

Think of choosing your first co-op program and job as looking for the right job because it is. Take your time when making your choice in a co-op program and job placement. Your future opportunities for careers for cooperative education graduates may well rest on your first choice.

Once you’ve been placed in a co-op job, take full advantage of the experience. Make friends and expand your network. Learn from your peers and supervisors. Share your knowledge and skills, too.

Conclusion: Positioning Yourself for Success in a Competitive Job Market

In conclusion, a co-op education and work experience is your springboard for a successful career. It’s also of crucial importance to choose industries with a high demand for cooperative program graduates. This way, it’s more efficient to apply your co-op education and training in your job.