Co-op and Experience: Student Stories

Ambitious leaders, thinkers and change-makers

Founded in 1919, Drexel's Cooperative Education program (co-op) was one of the first of its kind, and it continues to be among the largest and most renowned programs in the nation. At Drexel, co-op is who we are and what we do. The dedicated staff of the Steinbright Career Development Center is here to assist students throughout the co-op process and to help them to leverage 'the Drexel Difference.' At the College of Arts and Sciences, our students don’t just study the issues affecting the world — they study alongside the people affected. Each term, the College encourages students to become effective change agents by participating with non-profits, government and citizen activists through community-based learning courses.

Co-op and Experience

Students discussing African small businesses in West Philly

'West Africa to West Philly' Course Connects Language With Community

A French course has brought together students and West Philadelphia's native French-speaking West African community, both in and out of the classroom. Students came from different majors and countries to speak and write in French with native speakers and consume Francophone West African works of literature and film in this community-based class.

Alexandra J. King Pile smiles during a video. An American flag sits behind her.

Catching up with Alexandra J. King Pile, BA International Studies ’07 and Foreign Service Officer for the United States Department of State

We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Alexandra J. King Pile, BA international studies '07, who is currently working as a diplomat for the United States Department of State. Read on to learn about the challenges and opportunities of her role, and how her time at Drexel prepared her for this path.

Ryan Shaw teaches music to a group of students

Co-op Sets Communication Major on Path to Becoming a Music Therapist

A co-op with the nonprofit Keep Music Alive not only allowed Ryan Shaw to explore his lifelong passion for music, but inspired him to pursue a career in music therapy after he graduates from the MS-SDC program.

Writers Room co-op student Jeremy D'Amico

Finding Your Place in the Community with Writers Room

When Jeremy D’Amico, political science ’24, decided to come to Drexel, he didn’t think much about what living in a city like Philadelphia would involve. He quickly became absorbed in his studies and paid little attention to the community surrounding campus—until he started a co-op with Writers Room.

A Day in the Life at the Academy of Natural Sciences' Ornithology Department

A co-op in the Academy of Natural Sciences' ornithology department has allowed environmental science major Abigail Del Grosso to explore her interest in birds. She shares her more about her experience in this Q&A.

Finding Empowerment as a First-Generation Student

Guest blogger Kaylee Wilson, a third-year sociology and global public health double major, shares her experience as a first-generation college student at Drexel.

Confronting the Effects of Coastal Climate Change

Throughout their co-op this spring and summer, environmental science major Kris Freyland worked with Beth Watson, PhD, associate professor of biodiversity, earth and environmental science and senior scientist at the Academy of Natural Sciences’ Patrick Center for Environmental Research, to study the impact of saltwater intrusion into coastal forests.

Exploring the 'Wild' Politics of Free-Roaming Horse Management

Things are getting wild in the West. Free-roaming horse populations have existed in western states for centuries, but the conflict surrounding them is entirely human. This conflict sparked the interest of Jen Britton, director for communications and special projects in the Office of University & Community Partnerships, and Christian Hunold, PhD, professor of politics.

a screenshot of a zoom session where participants are going over a sample lesson plan

Drexel English Language Center Helps to Prepare the Next Generation of Fulbrighters

This past summer, the ELC expanded its IIE Fulbright offerings to include an English Teaching Assistants (ETA) program. The program, funded by a State Department grant, was geared toward preparing Fulbright scholars for their upcoming teaching roles across the globe.

Emma Hirt at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Bringing History to New Audiences

Senior global studies major Emma Hirt spent the spring and summer as a Programs Assistant Co-op at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, where she used social media to introduce the organization's work to a younger audience—and went viral in the process.

Coco's Fire: the book authors and illustrators

Let’s Talk About Climate Anxiety

Lately, there has been a lot of talk all over the world about the birds and the bees — that is, how they are impacted by the environmentally devastating effects of climate change and how humans play a role in this process. Many of us want to know how we can voice those scary feelings about the health of our planet and then transform them into positive action. While it is an important and timely topic to discuss, sometimes having this talk can be a challenge, especially with children. So, the Academy reached out to children’s book authors Lena Champlin and Jeremy Wortzel to learn more about their work, Coco’s Fire: Changing Climate Anxiety Into Climate Action, and how we can start this very important conversation with our peers and young friends.

Akilah Chatman smiles outside in front of wetlands

Environmental Science Alum to Effect Change with Fulbright Fellowship

When people think of their childhood, they often remember their time spent outside. For Akilah Chatman, BS environmental science ’22, every day was a new adventure: climbing waterfalls, jumping from cliffs, exploring rainforests, befriending frogs and lizards, inspecting flora, gardening with their mother and so much more. Their grandparents’ beachfront restaurant offered ample time for Chatman to learn the ways of seaside life. Now, as a Drexel alum and Fulbright Fellow, Chatman is about to begin their next journey—to create and uplift a new green space in Cambodia.

Giant Swallowtail butterfly sticker created by Mary Donnelly, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Drexel in 2022.

Getting Creative in the Field

Mary Donnelly –who recently earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Drexel’s Biodiversity, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES) department — loves fieldwork. But instead of marshlands, forests, plains or deserts, Mary has been busy working right here in Philadelphia. Besides getting out into the field, her interests lie particularly in wildlife conservation. So, for her senior research project, Mary found a fun, collaborative way to do both while also sharing her findings with the community.

Biological Sciences Major Carlie Relyea Contributes to Vaccine Trials Through Co-op

During her co-op, Carlie Relyea assisted with the Pfizer pediatric and adolescent vaccination trial at the Pediatric Clinical Research Center in Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. The experience helped clarify her dream of being a pediatric doctor.

A Passion for Research: Meet History and Art History Major Jamie Clifford

From the small class sizes and personal attention from professors to the research opportunities, co-op and flexibility in course selection, studying history at Drexel has been a great experience for Jamie Clifford. Learn how these experiences have prepared Clifford for a future in graduate school and museum curation.