Career Shifts
How the CO-OPS + CAREERS office got creative and found opportunities for students
by robbin beauchamp, abbey pober and faith bade
Wentworth’s CO-OPS + CAREERS office was just a few
Less than a year after that initial March closure, another
short days away from hosting its March 2020 jobs fair
CO-OPS + CAREERS Fair was held virtually, this time with
when campus closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
more than 400 students meeting 70 employers. Feedback
But within two weeks, the team transitioned the event to a virtual format, affording students the chance to
has been unanimously positive, and the event has supplied a blueprint for future job-seeking and networking abilities.
connect with employer representatives through WITworks,
99.5%
of eligible students secured a co-op for the semester
the university’s career management system.
IN THE FIELD
Shortly after, they worked closely with
Shortly after campus closed, employers began sharing
Symplicity, the vendor hosting WITworks, to
how their organizations and industries were adapting to
allow for video meetings and the ability to
COVID-19. CO-OPS + CAREERS started the series “Inside
host two additional fairs—one in August for fall
Industry Right Now,” which brings employers, students, staff
co-op seekers and recent graduates seeking
and faculty together via Zoom for hourlong discussions
full-time jobs, and a three-day event targeted
about how COVID-19 has shifted the workplace, what skills
by academic major in October that was open
employers are currently looking for and industry trends.
to all students and alumni.
ADAPTING TO THE CO-OP LANDSCAPE
454
students had paid co-ops off campus
Given the negative impact COVID-19 had on co-op employment everywhere, CO-OPS + CAREERS acted quickly
Of the 697 students who registered for co-op
gain valuable work experience and expand their skills
67%
career. Many discussions were held with academic
Secured traditional co-ops off campus
9%
Secured traditional co-ops on campus
19%
Participated in Creative Co-Ops
3%
Earned industry-recognized credentials
2%
Took Workforce Development courses
to expand opportunities for students to earn co-op credit, to position themselves for their next co-op or postgraduate departments and staff.
“As project lead on a pilot program, I had the responsibility of handling meeting scheduling and coordination, researching various topics, facilitating meetings and workshops. Time management was a huge part of the role, and it was important that I managed my time well from the beginning.” — Darren Bryan, BSM ’21, equity in urban education fellow, Boston Public Schools Office of Recruitment Cultivation & Diversity
20 | SPRING/SUMMER 2021
