Exploring Global Co-Op Opportunities At The University Of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati offers students the opportunity to participate in its International Co-op Program (ICP). This program combines language and cultural preparation with a paid co-op experience abroad, allowing students to gain valuable second-language and cultural competency through immersive international work. The ICP is open to students from a range of disciplines, including engineering, design, IT, and business, and offers a unique chance to gain professional experience and develop cross-cutting skills that will enhance their employability and open doors to global career opportunities.

International Co-op Program (ICP)

The University of Cincinnati's International Co-op Program (ICP) offers students the opportunity to gain valuable experience through a combination of rigorous culture and language training and a paid co-op placement abroad. This program is designed to enhance students' professional performance and provide them with a competitive edge when seeking full-time employment, especially with global organizations.

ICP students are required to complete a set of courses before embarking on their international co-op placement. This preparation ensures they gain second-language proficiency and cultural competency, which are highly valued by employers, particularly those with international operations. The co-op placement lasts between four to eight months and takes place in the spring and summer before the student's senior year.

The University of Cincinnati encourages students to apply for the ICP as early as possible during their college career to ensure they can complete the necessary coursework before going abroad. The program is open to students from all majors and backgrounds, catering to their diverse interests and needs. Each year, the university sends over 1,700 students to more than 50 countries, emphasizing the importance of global exposure in their educational journey.

Students who have completed the ICP have shared their positive experiences and the impact it has had on their careers. Jacob Mathers, a Chemical Engineering/ICP Japanese graduate from the Class of 2011, attributed his success in securing a position at Kao, a global company headquartered in Japan, to his proficiency in the Japanese language and cultural understanding gained through the ICP. Similarly, Morgan Brink, Operations Management and International Business/ICP Japanese, Class of 2016, highlighted that employers are impressed by candidates who demonstrate initiative and a willingness to embrace new challenges during their academic careers.

The University of Cincinnati's ICP is a testament to the university's commitment to providing students with a well-rounded education that extends beyond the classroom. By offering this unique opportunity, the university empowers its students to develop cross-cutting skills, gain valuable international work experience, and build a strong foundation for their future careers.

Academic internships

The University of Cincinnati offers a variety of international work experiences for students, including academic internships. The University of Cincinnati invented cooperative education (co-op) in 1906 and has continued to have one of the largest cooperative education programs in the world, with over 3,500 students participating in co-op each year. The University defines cooperative education as an educational model in which a student alternates traditional academic semesters with semesters spent working in the field.

The International Co-op Program (ICP) is a form of academic internship that combines rigorous culture and language preparation with a paid co-op experience abroad. ICP students take a required set of courses and then complete a four- to eight-month international co-op in the spring and summer before their senior year. This program is designed to help students gain second-language and cultural competency through immersive international work and classroom experiences. It also allows them to develop cross-cutting skills that will enhance their professional performance in both domestic and international settings.

In addition to the ICP, the University of Cincinnati offers other opportunities for international internships and cooperative education. These include the Experiential Exploration Program (EEP), which is a flexible option for students to gain meaningful, mentored experiences that align with their individual professional pursuits. The EEP allows for independent work and has four types: Emerging Professional, Professional Practice, Entrepreneurship, and Career-Related Travel. The Career-Related Travel EEP, in particular, allows students to travel for one academic semester while gaining career-related experiences.

The University of Cincinnati also offers general study abroad programs that can include internships. These programs can last from one week to one year and are designed for students from all majors and backgrounds. Students can earn credit for coursework completed abroad and gain valuable international experience.

Overall, the University of Cincinnati provides a range of options for students seeking academic internships abroad. These programs offer valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth, cultural immersion, and the development of cross-cutting skills that will enhance their employability and global perspective.

Cooperative education

Co-ops are full-time, paid positions that allow students to apply what they have learned in class to positively impact the company, agency, or research firm where they work. Students can earn around $1,700 to $2,500 per month on a co-op assignment, with most students making about $10,000 per semester, or $15-$25 per hour. The co-op fee is significantly lower than full tuition, and students maintain their full-time status, keeping their financial aid and health insurance.

The University of Cincinnati's International Co-op Program (ICP) combines language and cultural preparation with a paid co-op experience abroad. ICP students take a set of required courses before completing a four- to eight-month international co-op in the spring and summer before their senior year. Students in the ICP gain second-language and cultural competency through immersive international work and classroom experiences. They also develop cross-cutting skills that enhance their professional performance in both domestic and international settings, giving them a competitive edge for full-time employment and potential promotions or international assignments with global organizations.

The ICP is open to students from all majors, although certain locations offer better employment prospects for specific fields. Engineering co-op jobs, for example, tend to be in the Cincinnati Tristate area, while design students tend to go further afield. The University encourages students to pursue the best learning opportunities, regardless of location.

Research opportunities

The University of Cincinnati offers a wide range of research opportunities for students seeking international exposure through its cooperative education (co-op) programs. These programs provide a unique blend of rigorous academic preparation and immersive international experiences, enabling students to gain valuable skills and knowledge.

The International Co-op Program (ICP) is a standout feature, offering students a paid co-op experience abroad. ICP students undergo intensive language and cultural training before embarking on their four- to eight-month international co-op, usually in the spring and summer before their senior year. This program is a powerful tool for students to gain second-language proficiency and cultural competency through real-world application.

The University of Cincinnati's co-op programs are not limited to a single model. Recognizing the diverse needs and interests of its student body, the university offers a variety of options, including study abroad, international experience, and international co-ops. This flexibility ensures that students can design their educational journey to align with their specific goals and aspirations.

The university's commitment to providing global research opportunities is evident in its partnerships and reach. With over 1,200 partner organizations across 40 states and several foreign countries, students have access to a vast network of potential research experiences. This includes established programs and the freedom to design their own international research ventures.

Additionally, the University of Cincinnati's co-op programs are renowned for their inclusivity. They are designed to accommodate students who maintain part-time jobs, take courses while working, or have minimal prior work experience. This accessibility ensures that a diverse range of students can benefit from these valuable research opportunities and gain a competitive edge in the global job market.

Experiential Exploration Program (EEP)

The University of Cincinnati offers its students a range of opportunities to gain valuable experience through its cooperative education (co-op) programs. One such option is the Experiential Exploration Program (EEP).

EEP is a flexible program that allows students to gain meaningful, mentored experiences that align with their unique professional pursuits, interests, and needs. It is an alternative to the traditional co-op model, providing students with the freedom to pursue independent work. The program requires students to complete 300 to 350 hours of independent work, which can be structured to meet their individual goals. There are four types of EEP:

• Emerging Professional EEP: This option is designed for students in their first and second co-op semesters. It helps them develop professional and technical skills, which they can then apply through project-based work.
• Professional Practice EEP: The Professional Practice EEP is for students who have already completed at least two co-op semesters. It offers a more independent and self-initiated exploration beyond the structure of the traditional co-op model.
• Entrepreneurship EEP: Students who have participated in an accelerator program or entrepreneurship course and have a developed product or idea can choose this option. The Entrepreneurship EEP supports students in taking their product or idea to the next level, from production and testing to launch.
• Career-Related Travel EEP: This option is for students who want to combine career exploration with travel. Students must have an approved itinerary that corresponds to their discipline or career interests, with travel duration aligning with the UC co-op term.

EEP provides a unique opportunity for students to tailor their educational experience to their specific goals and interests. By choosing from these four types of EEP, students can gain valuable skills, apply their knowledge in real-world settings, and enhance their professional profiles.

Frequently asked questions