This is our guide to the best universities with remote co-op opportunities in high-demand industries. We’re talking about the technology, digital marketing, and data science sectors. We’ll also discuss what remote co-op opportunities are and their benefits.
What are co-op education programs in the first place? Students in these programs alternate between full-time studies and full-time/part-time work. In the process, students develop job-specific practical knowledge and skills.
Co-op education programs are of particular importance in high-demand industries. As a co-op student-employee, you’ll enjoy these benefits.
Featured Programs
- Gain a deeper appreciation of theories by applying them in real-world scenarios.
- Develop your practical skills through knowledge application and observation.
- Build your digital skills.
- Expand your professional network.
If you’re looking for greater flexibility and industry experience, consider remote co-op jobs. Indeed, you’re setting yourself up for success by being a co-op student-employee. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
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What Are Remote Co-op Opportunities?
These are the main features of remote co-op opportunities that you must be aware of.
Real-work experience
You will gain real work experience in an industry and job related to your major. If you’re an engineering major, your job can be in a construction company. You will develop practical skills vital to your success as an engineering professional.
Remote work
But you will neither report to nor work in your employer’s brick-and-mortar office. Instead, you will work with your peers and supervisors using digital tools. These include emails, chats, and video conferencing platforms. You will also use project management software and cloud collaboration tools.
Note, however, that your employer may direct you to report to the office at certain times. But these are usually requested in advance and within reasonable limits.
Either unpaid or paid work
Co-op work is usually a paid experience with a per-hour rate or other measures of compensation. Again, you’ll alternate between periods of studies and work.
Follow the same co-op education policies as in-person job placements
In the best cooperative programs for tech majors, the same rules apply. You must apply for remote placements through the university’s recommended portal. After being hired, you must notify your school’s co-op coordinator, among other steps.
You must also abide by the terms and conditions of your co-op contract. After completion of your co-op work, you’ll undergo a performance evaluation and get a grade.
Popular among students
You can work from anywhere using an Internet-connected device. There’s no need for relocation and travel. Flexibility means better work-life balance.
Remote work is also common in the technology industry. Data analysis, digital marketing, and other tech-centric tasks can be done remotely. So, you have greater access to its well-paying opportunities.
Benefits of Remote Co-op Programs in High-demand Industries
If you’re pursuing a major in a high-demand industry, you’ll appreciate these remote co-op benefits.
Flexibility in schedule and location
Remote co-op jobs remove geographical barriers. By working from anywhere, you’ll enjoy maximum flexibility and accessibility. You can juggle personal and professional obligations better.
Reduced out-of-pocket expenses
With remote work, there’s no need for traveling and relocation costs. You may even consider living at home where your living expenses can be lower.
Increased access to global opportunities
Without geographical barriers, remote work increases your access to international placements. Look beyond the Fortune 500 and Silicon Valley companies in the US. Consider international companies with foreign headquarters.
Gaining industry-specific and soft skills
At the heart of co-op education is matching your major with your remote job placement. You will then build job-specific practical skills that employers seek. Technology-specific skills, for example, include data analysis and coding. Digital marketing skills include social media management and SEO.
You’ll also develop soft skills that can be applied in brick-and-mortar settings. Self-management, time management, and organization skills are examples. Add communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, and you’re set.
Top Cooperative Programs for Technology, Digital Marketing, and Data Science
These ten universities offer high-demand industries co-op programs with high success rates.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Students in the BBA in Marketing program qualify for digital marketing co-op placements. Advertising and Digital Marketing are among its areas of interest. Here, students apply for jobs in digital marketing, public relations, and advertising.
Notable features of UMass Amherst’s program are:
- At least 30 hours per week of full-time paid work experience
- Students choose between fall and spring semesters as the starting point
- A co-op session can last for 4-9 months
- Students find co-op jobs in different ways. The SPIRE, Handshake, and Career Development Hub are popular.
The Career Development Hub’s Field Experience Office oversees the co-op process.
Drexel University
Drexel offers among the country’s best data science remote co-op programs. Students in its data science undergraduate program learn qualitative analysis like pros. There are many minors available, too, including computer science and software engineering. Students qualify for a wide range of data science co-op jobs for these reasons.
Notable features include:
- More than 1,700 employers across the US and abroad in the technology, business, and manufacturing sectors
- Students choose from either the one co-op (four years) or three co-op (five years) option
The Steinbright Career Development Center has dedicated co-op staff members who guide students through the entire process.
Cornell University
Cornell offers among the country’s best online cooperative education programs. Engineering students choose from diverse job placements in the public and private sectors. It’s safe to say that the Ivy League’s prestige precedes it during these placements.
Among its engineering co-op program’s notable features are:
- Open to undergraduate engineering students who have completed at least two semesters
- Work experience must be related to engineering
- Paid, full-time work (at least 37.5 hours per week). Median monthly salary was $6,400 (2022-2023)
- Lasts for a full semester, either during the fall or spring semester
Students must coordinate with the Engineering Career Center for support services, among others.
University of Texas at Austin
UT Austin offers among the country’s best cooperative programs in technology, too. The engineering co-op program has these notable features:
- Open to eligible engineering students at the Cockrell School of Engineering
- Students receive support services from the Engineering Career Assistance Center
- Co-op experience includes at least one summer session and one semester of paid, full-time work with the same employer
- Competitive salaries
- Every work term counts as 1-2 hours of letter-grade credit
Professional engineers provide supervision during remote work for students.
Carnegie Mellon University
Check out CMU’sco-op education program at its College of Engineering. Among its notable features are:
- Voluntary participation but it’s recommended for valuable work experience
- Competitive process
- At least eight months of relevant co-op experience to be deemed as a co-op experience
- Open to all year levels except freshmen
- A diverse range of job opportunities in the technology sector and more
- Academic advisors provide guidance and information
The co-op job placements are covered by a Cooperative Education Program agreement. This protects both the student and employer.
Cleveland State University
CSU’s Washkewicz College of Engineering offers a BS in Data Science program. As a public university, it also offers among the best affordable co-op programs. Co-op scholarships are available.
Students in its engineering co-op program enjoy these benefits.
- Paid, full-time professional work (at least 40 hours per week)
- Completion of 3-4 semesters of productive work
- Students work with industrial manufacturers, engineering companies, and government agencies
- With academic credit upon completion
- A diverse range of job placements and positions
- Fenn Co-op Office works with students in finding appropriate job placements
- Students and the co-op education manager stay in contact for guidance and other matters
- Faculty and peer mentors available
Students receive ongoing support services, too.
Georgia Institute of Technology
Check out Georgia Tech’s BS in Industrial Engineering – Analytics and Data Science program. Think of it as a gateway to excellent remote co-op work in data science. Plus, it’s an excellent preparation for a master’s degree in analytics and data science.
Georgia Tech’s co-op program has these notable features.
- Offers intensive curriculum and competitive job placements
- Paid, full-time professional work
- Students have access to thousands of STEM jobs and industries
- Prestigious reputation among employers
- More than 700 businesses and organizations participate in the program
- Students receive excellent support services, career counseling services, and onboarding support
There’s a dedicated co-op team, too.
University of South Florida
The Muma College of Business offers a BS in Marketing – Digital Marketing program. Students learn traditional and digital marketing strategies and more. Eligible students should check out USF’s co-op program.
The Center for Career & Professional Development oversees it. Notable features include:
- Paid positions
- At least 15 hours per week are required to qualify as co-op work
- Job tasks must at least be 51% related to your current major
- At least two semesters of paid work
- Learning outcomes are specific to your job and academic major
Students must complete a co-op education course.
University of Delaware
Blue Hens, pursuing a Construction Engineering & Management degree, must complete co-op education. The mandatory requirement ensures that students graduate with practical skills.
UD’s Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering Cooperative Education program has these features.
- Meets the department’s mission of providing students with an education that promotes their fullest potential
- Paid work in diverse organizations in the public and private sectors
- The network consists of local, national, and global companies and organizations
- Employers include AECOM, AVA Group, and Bancroft Construction
- Students earn $19 per hour, on average
- Academic credit is awarded upon successful program completion
- A choice between continuous and discontinuous options. Both are 26 weeks in length.
Students must read Modules 3, 4, 5, and 6 to prepare for co-op work. Support services throughout the process are available.
Texas A&M University
TAMU’s BS in Computer Science and BS in Computer Engineering programs are part of its co-op program. Among its notable features are:
- Paid work related to your academic major.
- Work schedule options include single work, back-to-back, and alternating terms.
- Summer co-op work isn’t usually available.
- Students must enroll in a specific for-credit course to maintain their full-time student status.
- Mandatory completion of a co-op preparation course before co-op placement.
Students must have been identified and accepted into a specific engineering major. General engineering students aren’t allowed in the co-op program.
How to Choose the Right Remote Co-op Program
Here’s what you can do to make the right choice in a remote co-op program.
- Define your personal interests and career goals. Keep in mind that these must align with your co-op job placements.
- Work with a career coach, if possible, and/or academic advisor to identify your interests and goals.
- Assess the co-op education programs’ overall reputation in the academe and industry. Prioritize programs with remote job placements in your area of study.
- Review the duration, full-time/part-time options, and other aspects of the co-op program.
- Ask about the range and robustness of the college-industry partnerships. The more prospective employers, the better your job prospects.
- Look for portfolio-building opportunities, such as software development projects.
- Determine the flexibility and accessibility of remote work opportunities. Fully remote jobs are great, but hybrid jobs are also good options.
- Ask about the compensation. Paid jobs are better than unpaid jobs for obvious reasons. Financial aid isn’t usually available for co-op student-employees.
- Consider the support services for co-op student-employees offered by the program. Prep courses, onboarding support, and continuing career services are excellent.
Take as much time as you need in considering remote co-op programs and placements. Your choice will stick by you, so to speak, for a semester or more.
Conclusion: Earning While You’re Learning
In conclusion, remote co-op opportunities enable students to earn while they learn. Gaining valuable industry experience and building industry-specific skills are among their benefits. Be sure to explore and take advantage of these opportunities in your college ASAP. In doing so, you’re gaining a competitive edge in high-demand fields.