I would really really appreciate it if anyone who has direct experience with tOSU engineering (either as a student or parent) answered these questions. I’m sure it would help many others who will make the decision in the future as well.
I’m aware that they are not required, and this makes me wonder, how hard is it to get a co-op as an engineering major at OSU?
If it is difficult, does tOSU’s engineering curriculum make up for this somehow in required practical projects (or something) that would help students gain experience in their field?
Do you think that because of the lesser co-op opportunities of the tOSU compared to the University of Cincinnati, UC would be a better choice, due to their required co-op program?
Have you contacted people at Ohio State to ask about co-op opportunities? I would check with the engineering dept. and see if they have a career office and check with them concerning how most students find their co-ops. You will likely need to be pro active as early as your freshman year talking to companies at career fairs etc. OSU might set up a certain number of interviews for you or perhaps setting up the interview will be your responsibility. An advantage to a university like Cincinnati is that since they are set up for mandatory co-ops you will not have to worry about being out of sequence. Our D goes to Purdue and is doing a 5 session co-op as a ChemE major. She is entering her 4th full semester in what would be her junior year (it’s a 5 year program). She has yet to take O Chem 1 because it wasn’t offered in the summer or in the spring while she was in class. So she’s a bit behind in some Chem courses but ahead in some of her Chem E courses and finished with her math and physics sequences. It is worth it for her as it pays well and is really helping her pay for college and she’ll graduate with 22 months of work experience. She loves her co-op. While challenging it is not as mentally exhausting as class work. Another downside is that she does not have a break and is rarely home. She has gone to school or worked every semester since she went to college. It’s allowed her to become quite independent however.
My daughter just completed her first year at Ohio State and is majoring in engineering. The program sponsors job fairs in the fall and spring and employers come during these fairs and speak with students for co-ops. The kids provide resumes and may get notice of an interview. Louisville appears to have the same type of program as Cincinnati, where they have the kids take co-ops and there is no assurance that the students will get any co-op. The kids are responsible to try to track down co-op opportunities they are interested in and apply. It is difficult for first year students to get considered for lots of internships/co-ops because they have just had initial cases. My daughter had two interviews set by two employers in spite of this - Toyota and Scott Fertilizer. She attained a great co-op for the summer working with industrial engineers and decided it is the area of focus for her. Also, her advisor notified her this summer that Disney ( which is her dream job) applications were out and due in early July. I thought it was wonderful her advisor took the time to watch out for her during the summer and contact her about these jobs. If she gets this co-op in the winter/spring, she may be a bit out of sequence, but will be able to make up the classes the next Fall.
My son is a rising junior aero engineer major at OSU. He found a paid internship summer of his freshman year. There are many firms that interview on campus at OSU. You will in no way be “disadvantaged” with an OSU engineering degree. Do not let UC recruiters make you think otherwise! If you want to go to UC due to their program, but all means go, but don’t go because you think you have to in order to get a co-op position. Employers hire OSU students for co-ops, too. Many of my son’s classmates had paid internships as well. Some of his friends from high school went on to UC and they also have internships - both schools have good, solid programs so compare cultures, prices, etc and go where you like but be assured that you will be able to find internships if you to to OSU.