The CO-OP differs from a regular internship in several aspects. In terms of duration, a typical internship is one or two months, while the CO-OP is for six months. The longer duration allows for more well-paced, on‑the‑job learning and a gradual build-up of confidence and trust on the part of the student and employer respectively. CO-OP engagements are also co-evaluated by a faculty member and an employer supervisor, enhancing the student’s commitment and allowing for corrective interventions if needed. Finally, the careful and deliberate institutional curation of the programme’s employer partners increases the likelihood of a highly beneficial student experience. The CO-OP programme is advantageous for students, employer partners and the school alike. For students, it offers a preview of work life before graduation. It also allows for honing interpersonal skills in non-academic settings, which are difficult to replicate in classrooms. Furthermore, it complements their academic learning with practical applications. Collectively, this yields a more confident and highly competitive graduate. In addition, students continue their studies for at least one term after the CO-OP. During this time, their understanding of academic content is amplified by the practical perspective accumulated during the CO-OP’s six months. These students also bring a significant ‘learning spillover’ effect into the cohort, through their interactions in class and in groups with their peers. For employer partners, the CO-OP is a platform to select and test the best student talent, ultimately enhancing the hiring process and potentially reducing
and centre’s networks, which ensures a variety of host entities. The inclusion of an employer as a CO‑OP partner depends on two main conditions. First, the existence of real talent needs that would entail sufficient work for the student in terms of load and technical substance. Second, the employer’s ability to dedicate a supervisor mentor to assign work, provide guidance, feedback and ultimately evaluate the student. To make the application process as realistic as possible, once positions are secured, detailing any specific academic and non-academic requirements, they are announced so that students may apply. CO-OP applicants go through a rigorous two-stage selection process. The first is conducted at the school level by interview panels of faculty and staff which focus on assessing the candidate’s overall profile in terms of GPA, involvement in co-curricular activities, communication skills and their general drive to join the programme, plus other aspects believed to be conducive to becoming a good ‘ambassador’ for the school. Selected students are then matched with employers. Each one screens the applicants and conducts its own assessments. Once selections are finalised, employers extend offers and the students make their decisions.
32 Business Impact • ISSUE 4 • 2026
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