News

Study Away: LA gives students in RIT’s School of Film and Animation the opportunity to spend time in Los Angeles for a semester to learn from industry professionals.

The Democrat and Chronicle talks to Maria Richart, director, Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education, about the co-op program at RIT. (This content may require a subscription to view.)

As the nation’s reshuffled economy rebounds from the pandemic, RIT students graduating from a university renowned for its academic rigor combined with successful internships and co-op experiences are leveraging multiple job offers into their top choices.

Organizers of RIT’s Creative Industry Days saw an increased number of companies, students, and industry participants over last year, as the 17th annual event went virtual for the second consecutive year.

More than 2,200 RIT students donned business attire to meet with recruiters from 160 prospective local, regional, and national employers during Wednesday’s university-wide career fair inside the Gordon Field House.

The spring university-wide Career Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Gordon Field House. Some 3,000 students are expected to attend.

More than 5,000 RIT students receive experiential learning by completing a co-op each year, often getting a foot in the door to a new career upon graduation. Started in 1912, RIT’s successful co-op program, one of the oldest in the nation, is also a resource for companies wanting skilled RIT students to work for them.

Jackson Glozer '22 spent the fall 2021 semester on co-op with the electric vehicle company — the latest in a long line of full-time work experiences Photographic Sciences students have with industry titans. 

Edward Ro '21 (3D Digital Design) completed a co-op at visual effects giant MPC (Motion Picture Company), where he has continued full-time work after graduating in December. 

May Ren '21 completed co-ops (Fisher-Price, Rich Products) that enhanced her experience in RIT's Industrial Design program.

At the university-wide career fair on Wednesday, representatives from 108 companies and the military met with students hoping to land a co-op next year, or a full-time position. More than 1,200 students attended the fair in the first hour.

Although they may not be shaking hands this year, Rochester Institute of Technology students will once again be making in-person connections with potential employers for spring co-ops and full-time employment as the university-wide career fair is held Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Gordon Field House.