Susan Duffy, Associate Provost

Robbin Beauchamp, Assistant Provost of External Relations

Narali Gardiner, Director of Cooperative Education & Career Development

Abbey Pober, Director of Operations & Communication

Wentworth Hall, Room 101
(617) 989-4101
coopsandcareers@wit.edu 

Wentworth's Center for Cooperative Education and Career Development (Co-ops & Careers) offers matriculated undergraduate and graduate students and alumni of degree programs a full range of career preparation advising, manages the Cooperative Education program, and provides numerous opportunities to network with employers.

Advising

Co-ops & Careers staff help undergraduate and graduate students and alumni, at any point in their college or post-college experience, develop career readiness skills following the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Career Competencies.

Cooperative Education (Co-op)

The Wentworth Cooperative Education program is a hallmark of our university.  Few schools in the United States require co-ops of every undergraduate student as Wentworth does.  Students enter this experience at varying levels of readiness. Through continued participation in experiential learning, they progressively develop more advanced skills, greater autonomy, and a clearer sense of professional identity. Because Wentworth students graduate with the equivalent of minimally eight months of full-time industry experience, they are highly sought after by employers.  Historically, over 92% of the graduates of whom we have knowledge, are working or attending graduate school within six months of graduation.

All full-time undergraduate day students must successfully complete two cooperative education semesters to earn their degree, typically one in the spring of their junior and fall of their senior year. Students are responsible for conducting a co-op job search, with the support of their Co-op & Career Advisor. Students must adhere to the co-op requirements outlined in the Terms & Conditions, a form signed by the student prior to their first co-op. Within specified deadlines, students must register for COOP3500 or COOP4500 and also gain approval for their Report of Hire form on WITworks, Wentworth's on-line career management system.  Enrollment in a mandatory co-op course maintains full-time student status  (i.e., COOP3500 and COOP4500 for undergraduates and COOP6500 for applicable graduate students). Enrollment status may be impacted if students do not obtain a co-op, meet the co-op requirements, and/or adhere to published deadlines. Students are strongly discouraged from taking classes during their co-op semester.  With approval from their academic dean and Co-op & Career Advisor, in rare circumstances, a student may take up to 8 credits. The co-op credit overload form is required. 

Transfer students must complete at least one semester of classes at Wentworth and complete co-op course pre-requisite requirements before becoming eligible to participate in the Cooperative Education program. 

Students must be in good academic standing to enroll in a co-op, with a GPA of 2.0. Students who do not meet this standard by the end of the semester immediately preceding their co-op term will not be eligible for co-op. Students with a GPA below 2.0 and who are registered for co-op will be dropped from their co-op enrollment.  Wentworth Institute of Technology reserves the right to inform any employer of a change in a student’s enrollment status if registered for or on co-op at the time. Students with a GPA of 1.9-1.99 may seek approval to register for co-op.

Students must meet the co-op requirements as outlined in the Terms & Conditions and complete the co-op as detailed in their approved Report of Hire form. Once approved, the Report of Hire form must not be altered by the student. The Co-op & Career Advisor conducts a review and determines the grade of either Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U). This grade is recorded on the students' academic transcript with no credit assigned and no GPA impact. To complete degree requirements, students must receive an "S" grade for both COOP3500 and COOP4500.

Occasionally, students enter Wentworth with substantial work experience in their major field. With the approval of the Director of Cooperative Education, this work experience may be substituted for one of the Cooperative Education requirements. Students must submit an Industry Professional Credit (IPC) petition to the Co-ops & Careers Office to be considered.  Only one external Industry Professional Credit can be granted per student.

The first required co-op term is COOP3500, usually registered for in the spring of junior year, for students who have completed their co-op prerequisites and are in good academic standing. The second is COOP4500, usually registered for in the fall of senior year for students who have completed COOP3500 and are in good standing. Each experience deepens prior learning while introducing new tools, perspectives, and professional competencies.

One semester of non-mandatory co-op education, COOP5000, is available to students who have successfully completed their two required semesters of co-op (COOP3500 and COOP4500) and obtained permission from their academic unit and Co-op & Career Advisor.  Registration forCOOP5000 can impact eligibility for types of loans for that semester to assist with educational expenses (such as housing or rent) and housing. Students are urged to speak with their Student Financial Services Advisor if planning to take out loans for additional expenses.

Co-op Schedule 

The traditional co-op semesters for each program are outlined in the program details specific to each major.  Graduate students enrolled in the 2-year or 3-year MARC program are required to enroll in COOP6500 

Introduction to Cooperative Education

Intro to Co-op (COOP2500) is a required course that teaches students the foundational skills necessary to search for and complete a co-op. These skills can be used throughout a student's professional career. Topics include but are not limited to resumes, job searching, interviewing, and how to be successful on co-op. (0 credit)

COOP2500 provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully obtain and keep a co-op position. Students learn about résumé and cover letter development, job search strategies, interviewing skills, professionalism on the job, networking, and how to successfully register for their co-op semesters and report their co-op on WITworks. Students typically take Intro to Co-op at least one semester prior to their first co-op. Student-athletes and international students are encouraged to take this course two semesters prior to their first co-op. This is a graded (S/U) non-credit course and students register on LeopardWeb.  Effective Fall 2024, this course is required to successfully complete prior to registering for COOP3500.

Career Tools & Resources

• WITworks

  WITworks is Wentworth’s online career management platform that connects students and employers for cooperative education and full‑time employment opportunities. Through WITworks, students can search and apply for positions, manage application materials, and engage with recruiting activities hosted by the Institute.

• Co‑op & Career Fairs, Receptions, and Recruiting Events

  Co‑ops & Careers hosts co‑op and career fairs, employer receptions, and specialized recruiting events throughout the academic year. These events provide opportunities for students to meet employers, learn about organizations and industries, and pursue co‑op and full‑time job opportunities across a wide range of disciplines.

• ASPIRE@Wentworth

  The ASPIRE@Wentworth program supports students for whom executive functioning and social interaction, such as interviewing and workplace communication, present significant challenges. Offered in partnership with the Massachusetts General Hospital ASPIRE Program, ASPIRE@Wentworth provides individualized career support through professional job coaches.

  Students receive assistance before and during interviews, as well as throughout their co‑op experience. Support includes assessing individual needs, practicing interviewing skills, and developing strategies for workplace success. No formal diagnosis is required to participate. Students interested in ASPIRE@Wentworth should contact their assigned Co‑op & Career Advisor.

• WITwear Professional Clothing Closet

  WITwear provides students with access to professional attire at no cost and is managed by the Dean of Students Office. Students may borrow clothing appropriate for interviews, career fairs, presentations, and workplace environments. Apparel is available for all genders. Students may contact the Dean of Students Office for access to WITwear.

• Additional Career Development Resources

  The Co‑ops & Careers staff offer a wide range of additional resources to support students throughout their co‑op search and career development process. These include printed materials available in the office and across campus, as well as online resources accessible through the Co‑ops & Careers website. Resources address topics such as resume development, interviewing, career exploration, and workplace professionalism.

• Graduate School Planning

Co-ops & Careers assist students and alumni in obtaining information on graduate and professional education. Services include guidance on researching programs, navigating application requirements, and strengthening application materials. A range of tools and resources is available through the Co-ops & Careers website to assist individuals in making informed decisions about advanced study and achieving their academic and professional goals.

• 24/7 On-Demand Career Resources

Co-ops & Careers offers a robust suite of resources designed to support students at every stage of their career development. In addition to in-person support available across campus, students can access comprehensive online tools, guides, and learning modules through the Co-ops & Careers website at any time. These resources are designed to enhance job search strategies, application materials, interview preparation, and long-term career planning.