Co-op

Students Photograph Unique
Co-op Experiences

For the last two years, the Steinbright Career Development Center has held a photography contest for Drexel co-op students.

According to Cooperative Education Coordinator Gregory Martino, the contest began two years ago as a way of developing interest in co-op abroad. 

“For the first year, we asked students to submit photos that they took that highlighted their co-op placements in areas outside the Delaware Valley,” he said. “Last year, we broadened the scope and requested that students submit photos that captured the unique side of their co-op experience.”

In 2008 and 2009, the contest was judged by a panel consisting of faculty and administrators from Drexel’s photography department, a representative from the Steinbright Career Development Center, and someone from University Relations. According to Gregory, the contest will be held again in 2010.

The winning photographers of the 2009 contest were: Elise Thompson, first place; Robinson Eng, second place and Tanzila Mannan, third place.

“The 2009 winners received cash prizes and gifts, including a Dell printer,” said Gregory. “The photographs were displayed at an opening party in the Steinbright Career Development Center office and a selection of photos was published in the Spring/Summer 2010 issue of the Drexel Magazine.”

In addition, photographs were displayed at the Alumni Family Picnic during Alumni Weekend 2010.

To see a selection of photographs from the contest, click here.

Co-op Employers Needed!

The Steinbright Career Development Center (SCDC) is seeking alumni interested in hiring co-op students, or alumni who would like more information on how their company could get involved with Drexel’s Co-op Program.

When you were a student, the Co-op Program was the cornerstone of Drexel’s academic curriculum, and it remains so today. While economic struggles have presented difficulties across all sectors of employment, the SCDC continues its efforts to strengthen the Co-op Program. Now more than ever, the necessity to provide co-op employment opportunities is evident, as the job market becomes increasingly more competitive.  As Drexel alumni, you represent a vast segment of accomplished professionals in a variety of fields - and the SCDC needs your help!  Your connection could open the door to an invaluable professional experience for a Drexel student.

There is a heightened need for co-op positions in business and engineering; however employment opportunities for students in all fields are welcomed.

If you are interested in getting more information on hiring Drexel co-op students, click here.

About Co-op

The Drexel Co-op, a renowned experiential program, is one of the largest and most respected co-op programs in the world. Co-op students alternate periods of full-time professional employment with periods of classroom study, while employers gain valuable contributions from energetic young professionals.

Why Hire a Drexel Co-op Student?

• Hiring a co-op student provides employers the opportunity to train and mold new workforce talent.
• Co-op students are forward-thinking valued employees who bring fresh perspectives and suggestions to the workplace.
• Co-op cycles operate 12 months of the year, allowing employers to fill positions year-round.
• Hiring a co-op student is a cost-effective hiring solution and helps to keep recruiting costs down.
• Being involved in the educational process and helping Drexel students is a truly gratifying experience.

Co-op Fast Facts

• Co-op is a six-month employment opportunity during which students engage in real work in the field which they are studying.
• It is one of the world’s oldest and largest co-op/work integrated learning programs.
• More than 1,600 employers across the U.S. and in 20 foreign countries partner with the SCDC for co-op.
• Each year, more than 4,400 undergraduates are placed in co-op work experiences.
• The SCDC provides stipends for student co-op experiences in China, Greece, India, Ireland, Israel and Italy.
• Approximately 15 percent of co-op students took their co-op outside of the Philadelphia region in the 2007-08 academic year. Students worked in Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Berlin, Cairo, Calcutta, London and Dublin, among other cities.
• More than 90 percent of Drexel undergraduates are enrolled in a co-op program; 77 percent of these students are enrolled in a 5-year program which allows for up to 18 months of degree-related work experience through three separate 6-month work experiences.
• Students gain on-the-job skills and knowledge during their co-op cycles so when they are hired full-time, they often begin at a higher level of responsibility and productivity than inexperienced graduates.
• There is a demanding need for co-op employment opportunities in the fields of business and engineering.

For more information on the Co-op Program, visit the Steinbright Career Development Center at www.drexel.edu/scdc.