Cooperative
Education
Founded over a century ago, our co-op program is one of the largest and most innovative of its kind in the world. Through cooperative education, students are able to develop professional skills, meet valuable contacts, and explore one or more career paths.
Where in the world are Northeastern University students?
Click the interactive map to see where our distinguished co-op program has taken current students.
We offer co-ops in a variety of companies, settings and locations. Below, you’ll see just a sampling of what is available by department.
| Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Clinical Research Student Assistant |
Boston Children’s Hospital Genetic Counseling Assistant |
Commonwealth of Massachusetts C.O.R.I. Unit Intern |
Harvard Medical School Research Assistant (Fishell) |
| Italian Home For Children, Inc. Residential Counselor |
Liquiglide Inc. Coatings Engineer |
Massachusetts General Hospital Research Assistant |
MIT Lincoln Laboratory/strong> CO-OP Student – Science Writer (Req 25384) |
| Novartis AG Medicinal/Organic Chemist |
Partners Healthcare Research Assistant (Center for Nervous System Repair-HMS) |
The Boston Beer Company Inc Boston: Sensory, Research & Development Lab Co-op |
The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc Machine Intelligence Co-Op |
| bluebird bio, Inc. Vivarium Co-op |
Brigham and Women’s Hospital Laboratory Research Trainee |
Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Inc. Co-op: Belfer Center |
Harvard Medical School Research Assistant (Crickmore) |
| Neon Therapeutics Co-Op/Intern, Vaccine Technology |
New England Aquarium Corp Penguin Husbandry Co-op Aquaristr |
Peapod Digital Labs Data Science |
MPro Sports Orthopedics, Inc Medical Assistant |
| The Boston Consulting Group/strong> Global Learning and Development Co-op |
WGBH Educational Foundation Human Resources Co-op |
| bluebird bio, Inc. Stem Cell Research – 1119 |
Harvard University Organ-on-Chips Co-op |
Indigo Agriculture Microbial Analytics and Quality Control Co-op |
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Solar Incentive Fellowship |
| Merck KGaA Explorative Cancer Research Co-Op |
Moderna Therapeutics Co-op, Analytical Development (JT) |
New England Baptist Hospital Operating Room Attendant |
Partners Healthcare Therapy Aide |
| Tarveda Therapeutics Formulations & Analytical Co-op |
Tufts Medical Center Student Nurse Technician- Medical-Surgical |
| Alnylam Pharamaceuticals Analytical Sciences, Stability Co-Op |
BlueWave Solar Operations Intern |
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Genomic Variant Curator |
Defense Forensic Science Center Research Associate |
| Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary Research Assistant |
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Commercial Clean Heating and Generation Fellowship |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Assistant |
Merck KGaA Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies Co-Op |
| New England Baptist Hospital Human Resources and Medical Staff Office Co-op |
Roslindale Pediatrics Medical Assistant |
Surface Oncology Protein Biochemistry Co-Op |
Acceleron Pharma Inc. Regulatory Affairs Co-op |
| The Marine Biological Laboratory Cephalopod Co-op Aquarist |
Pfizer Inc. Cell Culture Process Development Co-op |
| Bright Horizons Family Solutions Infant/Toddler Teacher, Family Solutions |
Cataldo Ambulance Service Inc EMT |
Living Proof, Inc. Discovery Co-op |
Morphic Therapeutic, Inc. Biology Co-op |
| Northeastern University Assistant Teacher |
Oncorus, Inc. Research Associate, Molecular Biology |
Ra Pharmaceuticals Target Biology Research Technician |
Smart Energy Island Intern |
| Vertex Pharmaceuticals Co-Op, Analytical Development |
Wayfair LLC Business Analyst Co-op (Pricing, Marketing, Comp Intel, Ops, Talent, Finance, Product) |
| Abbvie, Inc, Neuroscience Histology |
Best Bees Company Beekeeper and Field Researcher |
Boston Medical Center Research Assistant |
Brigham & Women’s Hospital Patient Care Assistant – Intermediate Neuroscience (10CD) |
| Cogen Therapeutics, Inc. Molecular Biologist |
Cygnal Therapeutics Research Associateher |
Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Program Management |
Mass. Bay Brewing Company, Inc. QA/QC Lab Technician |
| Ropes and Gray LLP Training Assistant |
Shriners Hospitals for Children Clinical Research Assistant |
| Clearedge Partners Data Analyst |
Government of The United States Environmental Enforcement Section Intern |
Institute for Economics and Peace Research Assistant |
MSPCA Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Angell Veterinary Assistant-Collaborative Care Team |
| New England Wildlife Center, Inc. Wildlife Hospital Co-op |
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| Casma Therapeutics Co-op, Biology |
Institute For Healthcare Improvement Program and Project Assistant |
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Geological Research Assistant |
Northeastern University CaNCURE: Cancer Nanomedicine Co-ops |
| Aircraft Music Library AirCraft / IndieTracks Music Library Intern |
Asher Kornbluth MD Medical Practice Undergraduate intern |
Massachusetts General Hospital Research Assistant |
Merck Research Laboratories uncovering molecular mechanism of non coding rna in intestinal barrier function |
| Translate Bio Co-op for Bioanalytical Chemistry |
William James College Junior Research and Evaluation Associate |
City of Boston Office of Equity – Undergraduate Co-op |
Harvard University Research Assistant (Alan and Lorraine Bressler Clinical and Research Program for Autism Spectrum Disorders) |
| WaysideYouth & Family Support Network/strong> Residential Counselor |
| Amgen Inc. Undergrad Co-op R&D (Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience) |
Jounce Therapeutics, Inc. CMC- Cell Line Development |
Boston University Research Assistant |
Codiak Biosciences. Co-op Purification (Downstream Process Development) |
| Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Synthetic/Medicinal Chemistry Co-op |
Goldfinch Bio Synthetic / Medicinal Chemist |
Biogen Inc. Co-op: Protein and Cell Engineering |
Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing (GLOBAL) Biology for Ageing Research Co-op |
| PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP PwC Assurance (Audit) Co-op – Job Location: Hong Kong |
ZoomInfo Human Resources and Recruiting Coordinator Co-op |
Lockheed Martin Engineering Co-op (Energy Storage) |
| Spinnaker Capital LLC Private Investments Operations Intern |
Boston Medical Center Research Assistant |
Genentech Data Steward |
McKinsey & Company, Inc. Agriculture Research Co-op |
| Octagon Therapeutics Inc Microbiology Research Scientist Co-op |
Sanofi Genzyme QC Chemist |
Sense Device/Client Support Analyst |
Victory Programs, Inc. Assistant Intake Coordinator |
| Camp4 Therapeutics Research Assistant |
Harvard University Research Technician (Lee) |
Queen’s University Research assistant (Perception and Action research) |
| Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate Co-op Intern |
Bose Corporation Global Sales and Marketing Project Manager Co-op |
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Wildlife Biologist Aide |
Duke University Research Asst., Neurobiology Graduate Program |
| Harvard University Audio Visual/Information Technology Assistant |
Homesite Group Inc.e Actuarial Analyst Associate |
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. Corporate Social Responsibility Co-op |
Tufts Medical Center Clinical Laboratory Co-op |
| US Food and Drug Administration Laboratory Support Technician |
WAVE Life Sciences Oligonucleotide Co-Op |
Undergraduates may participate in co-op after completing three academic semesters and alternate periods of academic study with six-month periods of work experience in their field(s) of interest. Transfer students are eligible to start co-op after completing at least one academic semester at Northeastern.
Co-op advisors help students plan up to three co-ops while staying on track for graduation in 4-5 years.
The program includes a mandatory preparation course and a post co-op reflection, which may be completed as part of an expo, poster presentation, reflection essay, video, or meeting.
Students gain up to 18 months of professional experience and may work in world-renowned health care institutions, neighborhood health clinics, with multinational biotechnology companies, as well as nonprofit research labs. Students develop impressive resumes and many receive offers of employment from their co-op employer.
Most co-ops are full-time, paid positions with the co-op employer. Students do not pay tuition while on co-op, although they are still considered full-time students with no change in benefits. Students who fully and successfully participate in co-op receive eighteen semester hours of Experiential Learning Credit (ELC) for each six-month co-op experience.
Northeastern works with more than 3,100 employers across the United States and in 136 countries around the world.
Co-op Advising
Students are supported by their discipline-specific co-op advisor throughout the process. Students first meet their co-op advisor in the Co-op Preparation Course, either in freshman or sophomore year, depending on a student’s major. The course focuses on career exploration, employer research, resume development, and interview preparation. In addition, co-op advisors meet with each student individually prior to initiating a co-op job search to discuss the student’s interests and goals, polish their resume, and address job-search strategies.
Reach out to your Co-op Advisor or learn more about co-op at Northeastern by visiting careers.northeastern.edu/cooperative-education/.
Our Advisors
“Here at the Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio, I help with many different types of research to conserve and restore native wildlife and vegetation. My field work ranges from performing surveys to identify trees, snakes, and other species, to assisting with the care and study of federally endangered species, as well as my own independent research on native bat species. Our work positively impacts the surrounding community by inspiring the local children to pursue careers as ecology researchers and conservation workers through their volunteer work with the various surveys; some of which I helped organize. The Wilds is a place where both protecting the environment, internationally as well as locally, and inspiring others to follow the path of conservation meet as one and I am proud to work here as a wildlife research apprentice.”
Information About Starting a Co-Op
136 countries around the world.
Become a Co-op Employer
The Cooperative Education Program at Northeastern University (also known as “co-op”) is an educational model that provides students with opportunities to alternate periods of academic study and periods of full-time employment related to their academic majors and interests.
For the employer, the program offers a gateway to enthusiastic employees with developing skills and talents, plus the opportunity to connect and network with future colleagues. In addition, the program provides a cost-effective way to meet human resource needs: no fringe benefits, no recruitment costs. Co-op students are paid as temporary, hourly employees.
Benefits
- Build your own qualified, trained future employee pool
- Handle recurring tasks and free up employees for higher level projects
- Six-month co-op periods allow ample time for students to be productive and valuable employees after they are trained
- Schedule back-to-back co-op periods for full-time coverage or select six-month periods for busy times
- Spring Co-op – January 1 – June 30*
- Fall Co-op – July 1 – December 31*
*Dates are approximate and determined by the employer.
When you become an employer partner of Northeastern University, you work with a dedicated co-op advisor to assist you throughout the process. This expert faculty member works within the structured program to support you and students.
The Co-op Cycle in Six Easy Steps
In addition to co-op, graduate level students often participate in other experiential learning programs including:
XN PROJECT
Graduate students gain invaluable experience by participating in six-week, virtual projects with business partners that impact critical business decisions.
THESIS BASED RESEARCH
Graduate students complete original research while developing a thesis. This option can be a great bridge to a PhD program.
