2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This paper discusses the results of an engineering cooperative program for over a three year period. At The University, students are required to pursue three co-op opportunities over the course of their four year academic schedule. Many faculty and industry personnel are familiar with the benefits that engineering cooperatives (co-ops) provide to both students and employers. Based on data from graduating student survey results from one school, co-ops are shown to increase a student’s probability of receiving a full time employment offer from their co-op employer. This paper will also discuss if the school data follows national hiring trends. The results of the study also discuss the percentage of students who pursued multiple co-op opportunities with the same company versus students who pursued co-op opportunities with different companies. In addition, the results will also show how many students accepted full time employment with companies they completed a co-op experience with versus students who accepted an offer from a company they did not complete a co-op with. The paper will also discuss the findings in analyzing student preference on location as a factor in accepting a co-op and full time employment opportunity.