University of Cincinnati Boosts Career Opportunities with HEAPY's Co-op Program Expansion

Owen Halburnt, a student from Springboro, Ohio, enrolled at the University of Cincinnati (UC) to take advantage of its nationally acclaimed cooperative education (co-op) program while pursuing a degree in electrical engineering at the UC College of Engineering and Applied Science. Through this program, Halburnt balances his time between academic instruction and full-time employment within his field of study. His choice to work with HEAPY, an engineering and consulting firm based in Dayton, Ohio, exemplifies the opportunities provided by UC’s expansive network of nearly 1,800 global co-op and internship employers.

Recently, HEAPY has intensified its collaboration with UC’s co-op program. Meredith Smith, co-op program leader at HEAPY, highlighted the significant scale of this relationship, noting that the company now hosts 68 co-op students, 35 of whom hail from UC, making it HEAPY’s largest co-op talent source. She attributes this fruitful partnership to UC's exceptional co-op advisors, whose efforts have cemented HEAPY’s presence on campus.

HEAPY has embraced the co-op model to such an extent that it has established an office in UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub, facilitating greater proximity and access to the pool of UC talent. The firm provides engineering services across various sectors, including fire stations, medical centers, museums, and airport terminals, and recruits from a broad range of engineering disciplines. Smith emphasized the characteristics that define an ideal co-op candidate: hard work, curiosity, and a willingness to face challenges.

Madi Mahan, another UC co-op student, reflects on how her experience at HEAPY in Columbus and Tampa, Florida, has helped her clarify her professional aspirations. Pursuing architectural engineering at UC, she credits the university's co-op program with allowing her to travel and accrue valuable hands-on experience. The program has empowered Mahan to confidently chart her career path, aspiring to become a project manager with a comprehensive understanding of building projects.

Braden Addis, a mechanical engineering student from Greenville, Ohio, has also gained substantial experience through his co-op position at HEAPY. Working primarily on plumbing design, Addis balances his professional development with his academic commitments and extracurricular interests, such as attending UC sports events. His involvement in the co-op program underscores his appreciation for the financial and experiential benefits it provides, particularly as he navigates the costs associated with higher education.

Owen Halburnt’s work at HEAPY on healthcare construction projects further illustrates the depth of experience UC’s co-op program offers. Specializing in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, Halburnt appreciates the evolving responsibilities he has been entrusted with, including leading a project. He values the integration of theoretical classroom learning with the practical challenges encountered on the job.

These narratives reflect UC's pioneering role in experiential learning through its co-op program, initiated in 1906 by Engineering Dean Herman Schneider. Often referred to as "the Cincinnati model," UC’s approach blends academic and professional experiences, equipping students with the skills and insights necessary for successful careers.