Co-op & Career Design
Accelerate your career before you even graduate. Kettering University’s immersive Co-op model 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 are Co-ops?
What are Co-ops?
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 up to $70,000 over nine terms. And you'll have the opportunity to develop the skills that could position you to bypass entry-level positions after graduation.
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.
Starting salaries in Michigan
Median starting salary of Kettering graduates, the highest in Michigan
Our students work at their 11-week Co-op positions twice a year all four years at Kettering
Co-op Managers
Co-op Managers
Co-op Managers assist students starting before day one. Only Kettering has Co-op Managers who connect with you immediately as you go through the enrollment process to set you up for success. Our Co-op team will help you find the best fit, perfect your résumé, and ace your interview.
The Value of Your Co-op Experience
“I get real-life experience as well as college experience, and it’s a nice 50/50. So I’m a completely hardworking engineer for half the year, and I’m a completely hardworking student for the other half.“
“The thing that makes Kettering so unique and so beneficial to your future is coming out of college with work experience as well as the way that your brain interacts with learning and then doing.“
“The Co-op program allows us to maintain that balance of knowing what’s happening in the real world and how to implement it in the classroom and vice versa.“
Career Sectors
Kettering’s Co-op program empowers you to impact the most innovative industries, from automotive and robotics to artificial intelligence, biotech, and finance. Built for aspiring founders, directors, and CEOs, Kettering is where your leadership begins to take shape.
Automotive Careers
Kettering's pioneering research has shaped the automotive industry for over a century. Add to that legacy by driving the future of electric, autonomous transportation forward.
Average Salary
Career Paths
Co-op Employers by Industry (PDF)Programs
Browse All ProgramsBusiness Careers
Our business management degree programs offer industry-specific concentrations, and STEM-focused courses empower you to seize opportunities — and even create them.
Average Salary
Career Paths
Co-op Employers by Industry (PDF)Energy Careers
At Kettering, your curiosity will lead to solutions that make a tangible impact — from developing energy storage solutions to advancing electric transportation. The future starts with your next great idea, and you can find it here.
Average Salary
Career Paths
Co-op Partners by Industy (PDF)Technology Careers
Transform hard-earned answers into real-world solutions with Kettering’s hands-on, practical learning approach. Here, you'll use the same computers, software, and hardware as professionals to create new products, streamline processes, and protect data.
Average Salary
Career Paths
Co-op Partners by Industry (PDF)Co-op Employer Partners
Hundreds of companies seek out Kettering students each year for their entrepreneurial thinking and resilient mindset. These employers range from global corporations to local businesses across diverse fields, including robotics and healthcare.
How Does the Co-op Program Work?
Use Kettering’s powerful network of employer partners and the guidance of our Co-op managers to find positions that build the connections and experience you need to jump-start your career.
Average Completion Time
4.5 to 5 Years
Work Experience
2.5 Years
Attending School
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.
Working at 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 your passion for your department 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.