Gold Standard: 50 Years of Wentworth Co-operative Education
Top row, from left: An early engineering co-op; Sam Goy at Fenway Park; longtime co-op employers Peter Davoren and Joe Fallon; Samuel Hurley at Rennscot
Middle row: Maria Rodriguez and students at MGH; Zachary Egnitz at Element; Edvenda Payant at Manafort Brothers; Erica Amato at VW
Bottom row: Patrick Gallagher, Nick Dunleavy, Tim O’Melia, and Jeff Lynch at Timberland; Mariana Martinez Serratos at Palmer; Drew Croteau at New Hampshire Department of Transportation; Ben Plotner at NASA
A simple request from Joe Fallon to gain work experience with developer Thomas J. Flatley—while still a student—ignited what would become Wentworth Institute of Technology's transformative cooperative education (co-op) program. Fifty years later, this signature program continues to empower students, integrating academic studies with on-the-job experience, and propelling them towards remarkable career achievements.
Fallon, who went on to found the well-regarded real estate development firm The Fallon Company, credits Wentworth’s disciplined environment, the support of Wentworth faculty who approved his request to work for academic credit, and his co-op experience for his success.
Following in Fallon’s footsteps, Wentworth undergraduate students are now required to complete two co-ops to graduate, with many opting to complete three (and most students finding paid roles). Students are also required to take an introductory course to prepare them to find and succeed in their co-op experiences.
The program's impact is evident in its numbers. Starting with 28 engineering students in 1975, the Wentworth co-ops have grown exponentially. Since 2014, over 18,000 students across all degree program areas have completed at least two co-ops, engaging with more than 3,700 employers. The Class of 2023 saw 93% of graduates employed or in graduate school within six months, with an average starting salary of $71,000. Notably, 98% are working in their fields, and one in three secured jobs with their co-op employers.
Wentworth's co-op program helps students clarify their career paths and achieve a competitive edge.
Joe Galluzzo ‘24, now an assistant superintendent at Consigli Construction, exemplifies the program’s success in transitioning students to full-time employment. He says, “[Co-op] was really good for me and my knowledge of the industry. Not only do I get to see things I learned in class come into play, but it’s also good to see what I want to do and what I know that I don’t want to do.”
Luana Mesquita ’25 has completed co-ops at Nault Architects and SMMA. She praises the co-op program’s ability to shine a light on what working full time will be like after graduation. “I have this adult life experience. I do real work and make my own money,” she says. “I’ve been learning and understanding so much. Sometimes you have to go out into the real world and just do the work.”
The Co-ops & Careers Office, led by Assistant Provost Robbin Beauchamp, plays a crucial role supporting students and acting as a vital bridge between students and companies. The career fairs they host several times each year connect hundreds of employers from various industries with Wentworth students seeking co-op experiences. Beauchamp notes, “We know that employers are gaining highly capable workers ready to make an immediate impact when they hire Wentworth students.”
Industry leaders like Rose Conti ’90, ’12, vice president at the construction firm Lee Kennedy Co. (and Wentworth Board of Trustees Chair), emphasize the importance of co-ops in shaping students’ readiness for the workforce. “We want them to know what's important and what's truly going to be applied when they come to a job and work on a site or in an office,” said Conti.
Wentworth is committed to expanding partnerships and ensuring that the co-op program evolves to meet the changing world of work. “Thanks to industry partners,” notes President Mark A. Thompson “Our co-op program is the gold standard.”
Fallon's pride in Wentworth and the co-op program underscores its lasting impact, “It’s a great program. The students that come out of Wentworth are special. They know what they're doing, they’re dedicated. I'm really proud to be a part of Wentworth and talk about what co-op means to the students and what it meant to me.”
This is the first of several features celebrating 50 years of co-op at Wentworth, exploring the individuals and partnerships that have made the program a cornerstone of the university.