The Office of Professional Practice’s annual Co-op Days, held from January 27-29, 2025, brought together students and employers for networking, recruitment, and interviews focused on co-op and internship opportunities. As OPP celebrates 70 years of fostering work-integrated learning experiences, we are striving to make 2025 our most successful year yet.

This exciting series of events kicked off on Monday with the inaugural Purdue in Indianapolis Co-op & Internship Career Fair, marking the expansion of Purdue’s work-integrated learning initiatives into the heart of Indiana. With 322 students in attendance, the fair showcased career-ready students from engineering, science, and technology fields, providing employers with access to a growing talent pool.

With new opportunities on the horizon, Purdue University aims to increase student participation in Indianapolis-based internships, offering hands-on experience, improving retention rates, and enhancing the likelihood of launching professional careers within Indiana.

Following the fair in Indianapolis, OPP hosted the annual Employer Engagement Meeting, where industry leaders discussed best practices for student recruitment. The evening concluded with the Professional Practice Ambassadors (PPA) Networking Night, giving students and employers a chance to connect in an informal setting. PPA is a club consisting of co-op students that seek to enhance the awareness and experience of the Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program at Purdue. 

On Tuesday, the Co-op Career Fair at Purdue Memorial Union drew over 1,600 students eager to explore co-op opportunities. Over 50 employers from various industries engaged with top Purdue talent, identifying potential candidates for their organizations. The event wrapped up on Wednesday with Interview Day, where recruiters conducted one-on-one meetings with students interested in securing co-op placements.

Students wait eagerly in line, ready to connect with industry representatives and explore exciting co-op opportunities.

Employers praised Purdue students for their preparation and professionalism. Andrea Spalding, HR Manager - America at Landis+Gyr Technology, Inc., emphasized the impact of Purdue’s initiatives on student readiness for the workforce.

“My colleagues and I find it rewarding to hear about all of the new initiatives that Purdue is undertaking to invest in their students’ success,” Spalding said. “This is why Purdue students shine at these Career Fair and Co-op Fair events. The students are well prepared and have put time into writing their resumes and rehearsing their skill sets as they relate to our industry and their career goals.”

Andrea Spalding speaks to Purdue students in Indianapolis interested in opportunities at Landis+Gyr.

Spalding also highlighted the benefits of Purdue’s Indianapolis expansion for both students and employers.

“Our team is excited to have another location to get the word out about Landis+Gyr and to have a pipeline of talent from another reputable campus,” she said. “This not only casts a wider net of opportunities for students but also gives businesses more flexibility with hiring for specific locational needs.”

Representatives from other participating companies praised the event, stating that “the number and quality of candidates were extremely impressive.” Others described the Purdue recruiting experience as “great as always.”

With the success of this year’s Co-op Days and the expansion into Indianapolis, Purdue continues to strengthen industry connections and provide students with valuable work-integrated learning opportunities. The university remains committed to preparing students for their careers and fostering partnerships that benefit both students and employers.

Networking played a key role in securing interviews at Purdue’s 2025 Co-op Days, with almost 30%  of students who interviewed also attending both PPA Networking Night and the Co-op Career Fair. The event series saw over 2,700 student check-ins, highlighting strong participation in career-building opportunities.

Over 1,800 students attended Co-op Days.

For students like Shawn Brinster, a first-year Mechanical Engineering student at Purdue in Indianapolis, the event proved to be a turning point. Brinster successfully secured an offer from BMWC Construction.

“I attended the fair with the goal of securing a co-op and was particularly interested in companies involved in construction,” Brinster said. “I had the opportunity to connect with Meagan Perratore from BMWC Construction, which was a great experience. Given my background working in construction during high school, our conversation felt natural, and I was able to discuss how my hands-on experience could translate into a co-op position.”

Brinster highlighted the importance of leveraging past experience to build meaningful connections.

“Speaking with Meagan at BMWC Construction reinforced how valuable prior industry exposure can be when engaging with recruiters,” he said. “The fair also highlighted the importance of in-person networking, and it gave me confidence in presenting my background as a strong foundation for professional opportunities.”

As Purdue looks ahead, the university remains dedicated to expanding its reach and ensuring students have access to career experiences through events like Co-op Days.

Story by: Margaret Mowrer | Photos by: Andrew Griswold (Indianapolis) and Chad Krockover (West Lafayette)