Empowering Futures: How Co-ops & Careers Prepares Students

For half a century, Wentworth Institute of Technology's cooperative education program has been a cornerstone of its experiential learning model, launching students into their chosen careers with real-world skills and confidence. At the heart of this enduring success is the dedicated Co-ops & Careers department, a team committed to not just helping students find jobs, but to equipping them for a lifetime of professional achievement.

Teaching Students to Fish: A Philosophy of Empowerment

Robbin Beauchamp, Assistant Provost for Cooperative Education and Career Development, articulates the department's guiding principle with a powerful analogy.

"You may have heard this quote,” she said. “‘Give a person a fish and they eat for a day. Teach a person to fish and they eat for a lifetime.’ We are teaching students how to be experts in fishing.”  

This philosophy permeates every service offered. The Co-ops & Careers team helps educate students about all aspects of employment including developing their personal marketing materials (resume, cover letters, portfolios when needed, follow-up and thank you letters), where to look for employment opportunities, how to network with potential employers and alumni, interviewing skills, negotiating and how to be successful on the job. But don’t assume that the work is completed for them.  

"We don’t do for students," Beauchamp emphasized. "Empowering students is exactly what we do."

Laying the Groundwork: The "Intro to Co-op" Course

A critical component of this empowerment strategy is the COOP 2500 "Introduction to Cooperative Education" course. This foundational course is designed to equip students with the essential skills needed to successfully navigate their co-op journey and beyond.  

"We hope students will take the course in their second year to prepare for their first co-op in the summer," Beauchamp said. Taught asynchronously by a student’s dedicated Co-op & Career Advisor, the course consists of five required modules, with access to additional optional modules and in-person workshops for further learning and support.

The syllabus for COOP 2500 outlines comprehensive learning objectives. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:

• Outline co-op eligibility requirements and understand Wentworth’s co-op program
• Craft effective resumes and application materials
• Master job searching strategies using WITworks and other tools
• Excel in interviews by effectively answering common questions and displaying appropriate etiquette
• Understand expectations for conduct and communication while on co-op
• Identify resources for addressing potential workplace harassment or discrimination

The introduction of this preparatory course was a strategic move.  

"Anecdotally, we had received feedback from employers about the students’ preparedness to work in a professional setting," Beauchamp said. "We heard some things about tardiness, the inability to ask for help or more tasks, general lack of understanding of workplace expectations."

The impact is already evident. Student feedback highlights the course's value:

• "The workload was very manageable and easy to understand. The modules were well structured and easy to understand, making it easy to get through and learn how the co-op process works here at Wentworth."
• "It was really nice to have a course that was about preparing for co-op. [The Co-ops & Careers Office] helped with my resume, portfolio, and general advice."
• "I was extremely satisfied because I got to improve my resume, and the interview practice helped me in knowing what to expect once I began the interviewing process for co-ops."
• "It helped me learn what to do to get ready for co-op and what to do when doing Co-op which was helpful since I didn't know."

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Tailored Support for Every Student

Beyond the classroom, the Co-ops & Careers team provides individualized advising.  

"Each Co-op & Career Advisor is well trained on advising and learning about the needs of the student in front of them and how to adjust their approach," said Beauchamp. Recognizing that "each comes with their own personal challenges: transferring into a program or Wentworth, financial constraints, family obligations, geographic co-op preferences and more," advisors do more than just co-op advising.  

"They help students navigate Wentworth to understand who to seek help from, guide them to think about what is possible if they expand their ideas (like relocating for a co-op) and solve problems that impede their co-op preparedness,” she continued.

Dressing for Success: The WITWear Program

Understanding that practical barriers can hinder a student's confidence, the WITWear program, which transitioned to the Dean of Students Office in 2021, allows students to borrow suits and other clothing ahead of an important interview, networking events, presentations, and other occasions.  

"We are sensitive to the fact that not all students have access to clothing appropriate for interviewing," Beauchamp said. "We needed to level the playing field so all students feel their best during an interview, removing one stress point of the process."  

Beyond addressing financial access, the program also serves as a practical resource for students entering diverse professional environments. While a traditional business suit may not be a daily requirement for all career paths, WITWear provides access to appropriate attire for various professional engagements, such as presentations, conferences, and networking opportunities. This eliminates the need for students to invest in specialized clothing they may only wear sporadically. The program encourages students to use the clothing for various professional and personal events, emphasizing the core goal: "It doesn’t matter to us why they want to use the clothing,” Beauchamp said, “but that when they do, they feel confident."

Staying Ahead of the Curve

To ensure their guidance remains cutting-edge, the Co-ops & Careers team is committed to continuous learning.  

"We attend webinars, local meetings and regional and national conferences," Beauchamp said. "We read many publications about the job market and economy to understand what is coming so we can be as prepared as possible. We participate in online conversations with our peers nationally to share our experiences and best practices."

Building on a Legacy: Future Aspirations

Looking ahead, Beauchamp envisions an even broader reach for Wentworth's renowned program.

"I’d like to see our program grow beyond New England. Our students should use this opportunity not only to gain skills, but to explore other parts of their country or the world,” she said.  

This includes researching housing options across the country and exploring partnerships with vendors for international co-ops, always with a keen eye on financial feasibility for students.

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A Testament to Impact: Andy Tran's Story

The transformative power of the Co-ops & Careers office is perhaps best illustrated through student experiences. Beauchamp shares the story of Andy Tran, a Computer Information Systems student.

"When I first met with him, he told me how his dad taught him to build gaming computers at the age of 13,” said his Co-op & Career Advisor, Jaime McAllister-Grande. “He also shared that his parents were really worried about how hard it might be for him to get a co-op."

After working on his resume and attending the Co-op & Career Fair, Tran made a strong networking connection with Wentworth alumnus and current HUIT (Harvard University Information Technology) employee Michael Tran (no relation).  

"He interviewed for a role shortly after the Fair and was so excited when he was offered the position," said McAllister-Grande.

Andy noted, "After I told my parents of the job offer, they were so proud and relieved."

So positive was his experience that Andy volunteered to help represent the student co-op perspective with HUIT at the next career fair, becoming "the first current co-op student to attend the fair" in that capacity. He now readily connects with students anxious about the co-op process and has already been invited back to HUIT for his second mandatory co-op.

Fifty Years and Counting

As Wentworth celebrates 50 years of its co-op program, the Co-ops & Careers department stands as a testament to the university's commitment to student success. By teaching students "how to fish," providing foundational education, tailored advising, and innovative support, the department empowers each student to confidently navigate their career path and build a successful future, ensuring the legacy of Wentworth's co-op program thrives for the next 50 years and beyond. 

This is the fourth in a series of features celebrating 50 years of co-op at Wentworth, exploring the individuals and partnerships that have made the program a cornerstone of the university: 

• Gold Standard: 50 Years of Wentworth Co-operative Education 

• The Power of Connection: Wentworth’s Co-op & Career Fair 

• Real-World Ready: Employers Commend Wentworth Co-op Program