Co-op Experience
Accelerate your career before you even graduate. Kettering University’s immersive Co-op program helps you gain 2.5 years of paid, résumé-boosting experience that puts you miles ahead of your peers — and they’ll never catch up.
What is Co-op?
Kettering’s Co-op program is more than an internship. It’s an immersive, no-holds-barred journey into the heart of your chosen field. In our unique 50/50 blend of rigorous academics and hands-on Co-op experience, you’ll spend one term mastering theories and skills in classrooms and labs and the next term applying them in your paid Co-op role.
You won’t just shadow professionals. You’ll work alongside them, match their pace, and surpass their expectations.
The results? You’ll gain experience in a variety of areas. You’ll earn from $45,000 to $70,000 over nine terms. And you’ll be equipped with all the skills you need to skip entry-level positions after you graduate.
Kettering Co-op Highlights
You might see other schools highlighting internship opportunities, but these don’t match up to the Co-ops you’ll take on at Kettering.
No. 1
$75,700
Median starting salary of Kettering graduates, the highest in Michigan.
11 weeks
Our students work at their 11-week Co-op positions twice a year for their entire undergraduate program at Kettering.
The Value of Your Co-op Experience
Aiden Grbic
Engineering ‘24
How Does the Co-op Program Work?
Starting your first year, you’ll spend three months in the classroom and three months at your Co-op. This rotation of classroom and Co-op continues throughout your time at Kettering, allowing you to apply what you learn to real-world situations immediately and bring back industry best practices.
Average Completion Time
4.5 to 5 Years
Work Experience
2.5 Years
Attending School
On campus you will:
- Engage in rigorous and fast-paced courses: Designed to challenge and develop technical and problem-solving skills.
- Participate in hands-on, experiential learning: Through lab work, collaborative projects, honor societies, and competition teams in cutting-edge facilities.
- Conduct research projects: Often leading to innovations and potentially earning patents, guided by faculty who are leaders in their fields.
Working on Your Co-op
At your Co-op, you will:
- Meet deadlines and work like a pro: Gain practical experience in time management and teamwork.
- Reap industry insights: Learn directly from current employers and provide valuable input based on your coursework.
- Impress employers: Make first — and lasting — impressions with focus and efficiency, showcasing your professional skills.
- Lead teams: Potentially oversee a team of employees, preparing you for leadership roles before you even graduate.
Essential Skills
The Co-op program at Kettering equips you for career success in any field. You’ll hone your technical expertise, sharpen critical thinking, enhance communication, master time management, and excel in teamwork. Co-op is an invaluable experience, laying a solid foundation for your future career and setting you apart in the professional world.
Career Design
Immersing yourself in a professional workplace lets you experience your potential career path firsthand. Discover a passion for your work and explore similar roles that interest you even more. The Co-op program offers the flexibility to pivot if you change your major or concentration or simply want diverse industry experiences. It’s your gateway to real-world insight and adaptability in your career journey.
Keep Exploring Kettering
Have the career preparation you need to be at the forefront of innovation with Kettering University’s Co-op program. Achieve greater and arrive faster — starting now.