New co-op preparation course helps students gain skills and confidence needed to enter highly competitive industries

Rochester, New York – Breaking into today’s most competitive engineering fields has become an uphill climb for many students, even those with strong grades and persistence. For two mechanical engineering students at Rochester Institute of Technology, that reality became clear as they searched for their first co-op placements and ran headfirst into a tightening job market. What helped them regain momentum was a new preparation course designed to meet students where they are, not where the market used to be.

Lord Yeshua Ramos and Antonio Johnson both knew early on that securing a first co-op would not be easy. Like many engineering students, they applied widely and prepared carefully, only to discover that effort alone was no longer enough. Entry-level opportunities in fields such as computer science, electrical engineering, and software engineering have declined in recent years, while employers increasingly expect advanced skills that undergraduates may still be developing.

To respond to those shifts, the Kate Gleason College of Engineering introduced the Independent Professional Development course, known as IPD. The course was developed by Doreen Edwards, dean of the college, and Matthew Marshall, associate dean, as a supplement to the existing preparation and support services offered by RIT’s Career Services and Co-op team. Launched last year, IPD was built specifically to support students who, despite consistent effort, have not yet landed a co-op.

“The first half of the course provides job search enrichment as students continue searching for a co-op. Those who do not get a co-op transition from the job search to completing a professional development experience,” said Marshall.

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Students who complete IPD receive academic credit equivalent to one co-op block, ensuring that time spent building skills and experience still counts toward degree requirements. The course also pushes students to broaden their job searches while strengthening both technical abilities and interpersonal skills.

For Ramos, a third-year mechanical engineering student, the course helped clarify why interviews were not turning into offers. “During the course, I had to rethink my interview strategy and make my skills presentable to hiring staff at companies,” said Ramos. “I would get the interviews, but I could not close the deal on getting accepted for the job.”

Ramos enrolled in IPD during the fall of 2025, a decision that gave him space to reassess his approach while continuing to grow professionally. He realized that improving his computer-aided design skills could make him a more competitive candidate. With guidance from the course, he created a professional development plan and connected with Karin Wuertz-Kozak, a professor in RIT’s biomedical engineering department.

That connection led to an eight-week CAD project focused on teaching children how viruses affect the body. The project will be featured at the 2026 Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival on April 25, giving Ramos the opportunity to showcase his work publicly while gaining real-world design experience. His professional development plan, which also included work toward a CAD certification, fulfilled his first co-op requirement.

“My professional development plan was very project based, designed to transform me into a technically specialized and confident project leader by combining advanced CAD/computer-aided engineering training, data-driven engineering analysis, and hands-on system design,” said Ramos.

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Johnson’s path looked different but faced similar obstacles. The third-year student sent nearly 200 resumes to employers in the automotive and aerospace industries with little success. Frustration mounted, but he continued working closely with co-op advisers and decided to enroll in IPD during the fall semester.

Through the course, Johnson focused on refining how he presented himself to employers. Interview preparation became a key area of growth, and small adjustments began to make a big difference. The day before an interview with Key Systems Inc., Johnson completed one more mock interview, an experience he said proved critical.

“I had to be able to tell my story better and show how I can connect my interests to work I’d do with the company,” said Johnson.

That extra preparation paid off. Johnson secured the position and began working with the company last September, marking a breakthrough after months of unsuccessful applications.

Faculty leaders say stories like Ramos’ and Johnson’s highlight why flexible, skill-focused options are increasingly important. Rather than leaving students stalled when co-op searches take longer than expected, IPD offers a structured way to keep moving forward. By combining career strategy, technical development, and mentorship, the course helps students stay competitive in industries where expectations continue to rise.

As the job market evolves, programs like IPD are becoming less of a backup plan and more of a bridge, helping students turn setbacks into momentum and preparation into opportunity.