University System of Ohio Opportunities

Ohio Co-operative Education and Internship Program

Co-ops and Internships

Background and Overview

As part of Governor Strickland's Ohio Bipartisan Job Stimulus plan, a $1.57 billion package designed to create new jobs while laying the foundation for future economic prosperity in the state, the Ohio Cooperative Education and Internship Program will provide world-class experiential learning for Ohio students across all disciplines and attract outstanding students from all over the world. The program will also assist in more than doubling the number of students participating in co-ops and internships in Ohio in an effort to retain the best talent upon graduation from college.

As outlined in the 10-year Strategic Plan for Higher Education, co-ops and internships are extremely beneficial for students, businesses and Ohio's public colleges and universities. The direct benefits for students include making college more affordable, providing real world experience and skills needed for employment and an opportunity for a job after graduation. Businesses seeking skilled employees can greatly increase the available talent pool by offering co-op and internship arrangements with colleges and universities, whose goal is to attract the best talent and train the employees of tomorrow for Ohio's businesses.

"Co-ops and internship programs have a definite and tangible educational value to our students when they participate," Chancellor Eric Fingerhut said. "Many, if not most, lead to permanent jobs after graduation. This program links them to targeted industries. They will help reverse the brain drain of talent leaving Ohio, and will benefit Ohio employers in worker recruitment."

Programs funded through the Ohio Cooperative Education and Internship Program must be designed to meet the following goals:

  1. create meaningful linkages to Ohio businesses,
  2. attract non-Ohioans and former Ohio residents to the state,
  3. retain more graduates in Ohio,
  4. provide Ohio businesses with highly skilled workers, and
  5. increase business utilization of students as interns or co-operative learning participants.