What is a Co-op?
Wentworth Institute of Technology has prepared students with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in high-demand careers in the modern workforce. This begins in the classroom and extends to an exceptional cooperative (co-op) education program, which provides invaluable on-the-job experience that directly translates to higher earnings and accelerated career growth. By partnering with co-op employers that are leading industry organizations, Wentworth's co-op program lets students find solutions to real-world problems while working in their chosen fields and fostering valuable professional connections.
What is a Co-op?
Hands-on Experience Gets You Hired
Every Wentworth graduate enters the job market with at least two semesters of full-time work experience with co-op employers. These (mostly) paid opportunities are a key part of your time at the university and allow you to forge skills and gain experience with some of the world's most innovative companies.
The industry relationships that Wentworth has forged during its 50 years of co-ops make it one of the premier programs in the country. 60% of Wentworth students directly receive a post-graduation job offer from their co-op employer, and 98% of students land in their field of choice after graduation.
Co-ops at a Glance
Different Co-op Employers over the past 3 years.
Verified Student Reports of Co-op Hire in WITWorks.
Of students directly receive a job offer from their co-op employer.
Based on a 75% knowledge rate in the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey.
Average money earned per co-op.
Based on average co-op pay measured against average length of a co-op. See hourly pay data for 2023-24 co-ops.
Where do Wentworth Co-ops Work?
Wentworth Students Work & Learn at Innovative Companies
AECOM
Amazon
Apple
Bose
Boston Dynamics
Boston Red Sox
Cisco
Consigli
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Fidelity Investments
GE Aviation
Google
Hasbro
Johnson & Johnson
Keurig Dr Pepper
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Logic
Mayo Clinic
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Moderna
NASA
Nokia
Nvidia
Perkins & Will
Proctor & Gamble
Puma
Shawmut
Suffolk Construction
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Vertex
Walt Disney Studios
Co-op Stories
Sam Goy
"Wentworth's hands-on approach to education translated into what I do now. I have so much confidence from what I learned at Wentworth."
Watch how Sam Goy turned his co-op experience with the Boston Red Sox into a full-time job.
Zoe Graham
Follow along with junior industrial design major Zoe Graham as she takes us through what its like for her on co-op with Parlor Skis in Boston Massachusetts.
Co-ops and Internships: How Are They Different?
Co-ops
Wentworth's two guaranteed co-ops empower you to work on real-world issues for top companies in your target industry. By allowing students to gain work experience, they'll learn practical applications of the skills learned in the classroom and bring that perspective back to their coursework. Learn the benefits of a Wentworth Co-op program:
- Two semesters of co-ops translate to over 8 months of full-time work experience
- Co-ops are full-time, and the majority are paid (Students average $10k per co-op)
- Real-world responsibilities integrated with your coursework
- Formal, structured work experience supervised by industry experts
Internships
Internships are an alternative to co-ops for students seeking work experience before graduation. In most cases, these are not integrated into your program and don't have the same formalized review and feedback structure as a Wentworth co-op. Here are some more details about internships:
- Internships usually last two to three months
- Internships are typically part-time and are only sometimes paid
- Less extensive responsibilities - not as rigorous
- Less structured and not guaranteed to relate to your academic program
A Day in the Life of a Wentworth Student
Co-ops in the News
Co-op: Launchpad to Leadership and Global Impact
Engineering the Magic: Co-op Brings Animatronics to Life at Walt Disney World
An Insider’s Look at the Student Co-op Experience
More About Co-ops at Wentworth
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How Does a Co-op Program Work?
Co-op programs are designed to provide students with practical work experience in their field of study while still in school. The specific structure of a co-op program can vary depending on the institution and program, but here‘s how a co-op program typically works.
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Are Co-op Programs Worth It?
Co-op programs offer students a unique opportunity to gain practical job experience while still in school. These programs typically require students to alternate between periods of full-time work and full-time learning experiences, giving them a chance to apply what they've learned in the classroom to real-world settings. While co-op programs can be challenging and require a significant time commitment, students find them to be well worth the effort.
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Do Students Get Paid for Co-ops?
In most cases, students get paid for co-ops. Co-op programs are typically designed to provide students with paid work experience in their field of study, which can help to offset the costs of tuition and other expenses.
The amount of pay can vary depending on the industry, location, and specific program.
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Where Can I Find Co-ops & Careers Office?
Wentworth Co-ops & Careers offers students and graduates a full range of career guidance which includes cooperative education and career advising, co-op preparation classes, career advancement activities sessions, career resources, graduate school planning, and various opportunities to network with employers. The Center is located in 101 Wentworth Hall and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Discover More
Want to discover how Wentworth co-ops jumpstart our students' careers? Download our co-ops guide.
