Co-op Testimonials

Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of co-ops or internships. Below are some testimonials from students who have benefitted from a co-op as they launch their careers.

Janikanandan Pemmasani, Accounting ‘23

Janikanandan Pemmasani, Accounting '23

Co-op at UC has truly been all I imagined it would be. Thanks to the help and guidance of my advisors at the Lindner College of Business, I have been able to participate in a co-op at Great American Insurance Group in the Investment Accounting Group (Spring 2022) and a co-op at NASCAR in the Finance Group (Summer 2022) at the Daytona Beach office. These experiences have truly been amazing as they have allowed me to gain real-life experience and also allowed me to interact with the top executives from the industry, furthering my knowledge. The co-op program has allowed me to better assess my strengths and weaknesses and work on them and I believe it is surely setting me up for success!

Christina Poole, Business Analytics ‘23

I have had impactful co-ops at Johnson & Johnson during two 6-8 month rotations that allowed me ample time to make a difference and develop professionally. I worked on the Kroger Team in 2021, which gave me a look into a customer-facing team across all of the categories that J&J owns in the CPG landscape. This experience was entirely virtual, which I made the most of by creating virtual networking calls with young talent and directors across the company. Through networking and hard work, I landed a second rotation, which brought me out to Los Angeles, where I worked in the Neutrogena Office. Within my time, I have gained experience across Trade Promotions, Customer Strategy, and Marketing Innovation. Both of these experiences were valuable to my time in college because I have been able to sift through the possible avenues of my next steps post-grad to find a great fit that aligns with my passions and skills. My co-ops have created even more excitement for my future in the business world!

Andrew Geers, Business Economics ‘23

This summer I've had the amazing opportunity to intern as a Strategy Analyst at Aon on the Inpoint Consulting team. I'm working on several projects with different clients where I've been able to research the hottest topics in the insurance industry such as cryptocurrency, blockchain, NFTs and more. Without the hands-on experience of my internship, I would not have realized what I want in my future career. I've realized I enjoy consulting roles because I get to actively engage with clients and keep getting new projects that challenge me every single day. Thanks to Weston, my career coach, I would not have gotten my internship. His help in practicing mock interviews, reviewing my resume, and connecting me to other students who've had similar co-ops helped me feel confident and prepared going into the interview process. The Lindner Career Services team provides invaluable resources at helping you achieve your dream career.

Joshua Moore, Entrepreneurship ‘23

After completing my third year of undergrad, I headed to Charlotte, North Carolina, for an internship with Red Ventures. Looking back, I couldn't be more thankful for the opportunities it provided. In my time as a Digital Marketing Analyst, I not only grew as a professional but as a human being, which is what makes Red Ventures so special. In ten weeks, I was able to gain an in-depth understanding of the ever-changing paid media realm through strategic analyses and interactions with industry leading brands such as Snap Inc., TikTok and Google. I also now understand why culture and a sense of belonging are so important in the workplace and how this, in turn, impacts performance and growth. Overall, this experience enhanced my professional development by setting the bar as I move forward in my personal and professional journey. Thank you, Red Ventures!

Nick Morgan, Finance ‘25

I'm currently working at a mortgage brokerage company called Maxelle Mortgage. Maxelle Mortgage is a local Cincinnati brokerage dedicated to helping home buyers in the states of Ohio, Kentucky and Florida. We offer numerous loan options specifically tailored to meet whatever type of loan someone might need. I love working here! At times it can be stressful and I will get hit with a lot of work all at once, but being able to stay calm and focused has helped grow and achieve so much in this industry. When I first started working here I was extremely nervous whenever I had to make phone calls and gather information from others. However, the longer I work here the more confident I get in my abilities to communicate with others. While working at this job I have gained the confidence I needed to strive in a business environment. Now I look forward to calling insurance agents, loan processors, real estate agents, and people searching for homes. This job has given me purpose. Every day I look forward to helping someone into their new home!

Priti Vitankar, Industrial Management ‘23

Throughout my time at UC I had the opportunity to participate in the co-op programs. This is essentially what drew me to UC and it has been a rewarding experience. In summer 2021 I worked at Standard Textile as a Transportation and trade compliance intern, and I am currently working at Bilstein as an Operation Excellence Co-op. These experiences have taught me so much about professionalism, people skills, and time management. Moreover, it has help me learn about the industry and what I can be expecting after graduation. Career Services has been very helpful throughout this process, helping me build my resume, finding connections, and guiding me through interviews. I am so grateful to have been a part of the co-op program!

Noura Ata, Information Systems & Marketing ‘24

I am currently interning at Fifth Third Bank in the Digital and Marketing department as an Ecosystem Innovation Intern. To summarize the work I do, my goal is to bring together these different parties of individuals including big companies, startups, fintechs, and universities/students to help them see the value in what each of us brings to the table in order to create this innovative and collaborative ecosystem. The reason why I love the work I've been doing is that not only do I get to view things from the corporate lens, but I also get to be a student voice in these conversations and bring my fresh perspectives to the table. In doing this, I get the chance to advocate for student leaders to draw awareness to the value that we can bring to a big company like Fifth Third. As I take in all the knowledge that I've learned throughout this internship, I am actively working to pour it into the organizations that I'm involved in to help them advance forward.

Cole Kazmerzak, Insurance & Risk Management, ‘24

One of the main reasons I chose the University of Cincinnati was because of their business school and the opportunities that come with it. This summer I was the Personal Lines Underwriting Intern at American Modern Insurance Group. Coming out of high school I never would have thought I would want to pursue a career in insurance. After finishing a few insurance classes and this internship, that mindset has changed substantially for me. Only so much can be taught in the classroom, and I believe actually implementing said knowledge and combining it with what I have learned through this internship has enhanced my understanding of the field insurmountably. The beauty of insurance is that there is endless opportunity. Insurance companies want to develop young talent and retain it no matter what department an individual is interested in. I definitely felt that over the course of my internship and if I decide underwriting is not for me in the next few years, American Modern gladly welcomes their associates to try new things whether that be in a different department or not. Overall, this internship has put me on the right track for the start of what I hope to be a very successful career in insurance.

Cassidy Hook, Marketing & Information Systems ‘23

My Lindner co-op experiences have been transformative during my time at UC. The flexibility the co-op program provides has allowed me to work with a wide variety of companies, ranging from major corporations like Kellogg's, to a mid-size firm like Sizemore & Co., down to a local non-profit made up of one other individual, plus volunteers. I’ll walk away from UC one day with not only a degree, but also irreplaceable professional experiences and a robust network at such a young age.

Alayna Petersen, Operations Management ‘23

The co-op experience is what has made me who I am during these last three years. I look back at the four companies and six rotations and see the tremendous growth of not only myself as a business professional but as an individual. My latest co-op at GE Aviation has given me the perspective of where I see myself in 5-10 years and the potential growth this opportunity gives me in the future. The relationships I have made during the years has changed me for the better and I am forever grateful to the Lindner College of Business for pushing me to be the best version of myself.

Kate Walsh, Real Estate ‘24

Utilizing UC’s co-op program has been the most beneficial resource for me to grow professionally in college. Lindner Career Services Center does an excellent job connecting students to opportunities that reflect their career goals and providing assistance throughout the interview process. I have completed co-ops at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty, Messer Construction Co., and CBRE. Each experience exposed me to a different area of real estate and taught me industry lessons that extend beyond the classroom. The opportunity to work with local or national professionals is what sets Lindner and the co-op program apart from other business colleges.