In a world where knowledge is the compass, Northeastern University doesn’t just hand its students a map — it thrusts them directly into the terrain. Here, education isn’t confined to lecture halls and textbooks; it’s a dynamic journey where learning by doing in real-world organizations is essential. For over a century, the institution has been a world leader in cooperative education (co-op), ensuring all learners — both domestic and international — are primed for professional success.
“For many of our international students, this is the first opportunity they have to work in the US,” explains Assistant Co-op Coordinator Linnea Basu. “They improve their communication, technical, and analytical skills. The experience positions them better for the full-time job market, regardless of where they want to work post-graduation.”
Basu advises on co-op with graduate students from the university’s College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH), a leader in the Experiential Liberal Arts. It offers a range of master’s and certificate programs — all of which include the option for six-month work experiences under the signature co-op program. “The process is much like a real-world, full-time job search,” explains Basu.
