Industry Partnerships: Engaging Students
Tap students’ talent and further your business objectives
7 ways to collaborate with Khoury College and its talented students
#1: Co-ops
Northeastern’s renowned cooperative education program – going strong since 1909 – is ranked #1 nationally. Our leadership in co-op is a boon for our industry partners.
Our co-op program is an innovative opportunity for your organization to engage with Khoury students as temporary full-time employees (55 days to eight months). This relationship enables your organization to benefit from the fresh perspectives, diverse skill sets, and innovations that our students bring to the table. Co-op is often a direct path to recruiting new graduates, providing experience working with a students to determine if they’re a good fit within your organization.
- Designated advisor: A co-op advisor provides support and guidance to both your organization and co-op students, facilitating seamless integration into your organization.
- Meaningful impact: Co-op students make significant contributions to projects, leveraging their skills and expertise to drive innovation and achieve results. Since students aren’t actively taking courses, they can fully devote their time to your organization.
- Employer-directed hours and pay: You have control over the hours and pay rates for co-op students, ensuring alignment with your organizational needs and budgets.
#2: Internships
Designed as an option for students during the summer after their freshman year, internships provide support for your organization while enabling students to gain early professional experience.
Khoury College students integrate seamlessly into your existing internship program and teams, digging into impactful projects right away. Throughout the summer, students receive invaluable mentorship from your industry experts, gaining exposure to different areas of your organization. Through this collaboration, your company not only benefits from the students’ contributions to projects, but also builds a pipeline of talented workers who bring fresh perspectives and energy to your team.
- Streamlined onboarding: Use your organization’s established intern program to streamline onboarding processes, training, and support for new interns, ensuring a smooth transition.
- Access to talent: Through the NUworks, Northeastern’s job board, you gain access to talented Khoury College students who offer new perspectives and innovative ideas to ongoing projects.
#3: Research co-ops and apprenticeships
Every day, our leading researchers and talented students are collaborating to make new discoveries — and our partners have the opportunity to work with them on their own cutting-edge projects.
Under the mentorship of your teams, Khoury College students can participate in your research activities, contributing their knowledge to drive discoveries and innovations. Through this collaboration, your company benefits from students’ innovative approaches and academic studies.
- Tailored engagements: Customize research engagements to meet your organization’s needs, ensuring a targeted approach to addressing your challenges.
- Collaborative exchange: Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between your teams and Khoury College students throughout the semester, leveraging their expertise to drive innovation and tackle complex problems.
- Faculty mentoring: Get guidance and support from Khoury faculty mentors, who offer counsel as needed to ensure that research aligns with academic rigor and addresses your specific industry challenges.
#4: Capstone projects
A culminating project for our students in a real-world setting, capstones allow you to connect with students who are close to completing their degrees.
During capstone projects, students work on a relevant project or problem provided by your organization over the course of the semester, synthesizing and applying knowledge and skills gained during their course of study. Your team guides and supports students throughout the process, fostering skill development and providing valuable insights into professional practices. Furthermore, students are close to joining the professional workforce — making them excellent candidates for future employment.
- Partnership opportunities: Join a consortium of other like-minded companies to create partnerships and establish a platform for networking and business collaborations.
- Deliverables: Receive high-quality deliverables that offer actionable insights and solutions, thanks to the oversight and academic rigor provided by Khoury College faculty.
#5: Professional practicum
Guided by our faculty, a group of students work as consultants on your organization’s projects. As they progress through set milestones over the semester, their deliverables seamlessly integrate into your team’s workflow. Students acquire practical skills, meaningful industry insights, and an understanding of how academic coursework translates into workforce contributions. Meanwhile, you can start building a strong talent pipeline.
- Deliverables: Receive high-quality deliverables that meet your desired standards, without the need for constant oversight.
- Flexible engagement: Benefit from a flexible level of collaboration throughout the semester, allowing for adjustments based on your project needs and timelines. Receive regular check-ins and ongoing support.
- Talent pipeline: Gain access to an innovative talent network beyond traditional co-op and internship models, allowing your organization to benefit from students’ perspectives and skills.
#6: NUStep
In need of short-term, high-quality help for your organization? NUStep is Northeastern’s take on the gig economy.
Using our NUworks platform, you can post a wide range of projects ranging in duration from 24 hours to one month. Acting as both a payroll service and intermediary between industry partners and students, NUStep efficiently and effectively connects you with talented students.
- Access to talent: Discover a wealth of talented Khoury students who are available to engage in paid short-term work opportunities alongside your organization’s experts.
- Flexibility: Receive the high-quality, quick turnaround results you need.
- Quality and rigor: Northeastern’s rigorous standards for student participation ensure that their deliverables will meet your standards of quality.
#7: Customized engagement with students
Design your own engagement and build awareness of your company’s brand by hosting or participating in events on campus.
Customized opportunities can range from providing interview and resume prep sessions to delivering tech talks and participating in career panels. We’ll work with you to tailor these engagements to your needs.
- Build meaningful relationships: Connect with talented Khoury College students and leave a lasting impression by building rapport and establishing mutually valuable connections.
- Showcase your organization: Use customized engagement activities to highlight your organization’s brand, culture, and opportunities, generating awareness and interest among students for future co-op, internship, and full-time positions.
- Create a talent pipeline: Strengthen your organization’s talent pipeline by connecting with Khoury College students, building relationships with potential future hires.
Industry perspectives: The value of Khoury relationships
Ready to engage?
Contact Lauren Heywood, director of partnership relations and student engagement
