This article was originally published on CEIA: See full article here
For colleges and universities seeking to provide impactful co-op and internship opportunities, the process of finding the right solution can often feel daunting.The challenge goes beyond simply providing opportunities for students—it’s about forming employer partnerships that enhance the student experience while expediting the process for co-op and internship advisors. At the University of Cincinnati, the Information Technology and Cybersecurity Co-op Unit is now in its second year of partnering with Virtual Internships, and the experience has been exceptional.
As Virtual Internships is described on their website, they aim to, “Connect educators and employers worldwide to provide ambitious interns with access to guaranteed remote internships. Our educational partners enable their students to boost their employability, whilst employers gain access to top-tier talent eager to contribute to their business to gain experience.” This mission aligns with our goals at UC, making this partnership a seamless fit.
The company’s wrap-around support system has provided comprehensive assistance for both our students and internal co-op team, fostering a smooth and effective collaboration. This partnership is a testament to the fact that strong, mutually beneficial relationships for all stakeholders—students, career advisors, and employers—are not just possible but achievable.
This partnership was piloted for 30 students seeking a co-op during the Summer 2024 semester. Our primary goal was to find a program that would provide hands-on IT and cybersecurity experience for our students.
At UC, IT and cybersecurity students are required to complete five co-op rotations, with the search for placements beginning as early as sophomore year.
To support less experienced students unable to secure traditional co-ops in a competitive market, we developed the Experiential Explorations Program (EEP). This program primarily focuses on upskilling through certifications and other experiential learning opportunities. While the EEP option is a great starting point, we recognized that many students crave real-world project work with employers from the start—the kind of experience that builds confidence and adds meaningful industry-related accomplishments to their resumes. Through our partnership with Virtual Internships, we’ve been able to address this gap, offering students opportunities that go beyond upskilling to include impactful, hands-on projects through work-integrated learning.
Reflecting on this collaboration, four key themes have emerged that highlight the success and value of this partnership. These themes not only demonstrate the program’s impact but also serve as a guide for other institutions seeking meaningful ways to enhance experiential learning industry partnerships.
(Note that all data is from the Summer 2024 semester.)
We know that when our IT and cybersecurity students feel supported and see real results from their co-op and internship experiences, it boosts their confidence and motivates them to keep striving for success. High satisfaction rates not only validate the program but also give our IT Co-op Unit confidence that our students are set up for meaningful careers. Employers benefit too, knowing they’re working with a program that prepares students to deliver real value.
Strong Satisfaction Levels: Nearly all participants (96%) expressed satisfaction with their internship placement, with 84% rating their overall experience as highly positive (8 or above on a 10-point scale).
Opportunities for Continued Growth: One in five participants (20%) received offers to extend their internship, either through paid or unpaid opportunities.
Boosted Career Confidence: A significant majority (88%) of participants reported feeling more confident about securing employment after completing the program.
“My remote internship with Virtual Internships allowed me to gain hands-on skills in cybersecurity, enhancing my technical knowledge and practical experience. I am thankful for this opportunity because it has significantly increased my confidence in securing future employment in the field. After completing the program, I feel well-prepared to apply my newfound skills to real-world challenges.”
— Vedi Amin, UC Cybersecurity major
A strong support system can make all the difference in helping students navigate the challenges of their experiential learning journey, especially for those stepping into the demanding fields of IT and cybersecurity for the first time. At the University of Cincinnati, we know how consistent guidance and mentorship transform co-ops and internships into meaningful career-building experiences for our students.
As co-op advisors, having a partner like Virtual Internships that provides structured, wrap-around support has been invaluable. Their dedicated Intern Experience Managers and Internship Coaches ensure our students feel supported before and during their internship.
Additionally, students have access to their co-op advisors, providing another layer of support to help them excel in their roles.
Notable Weekly Feedback Loop Completion Rates: 94% of UC students successfully completed the weekly feedback loop, significantly outperforming the global average of 78% among all Virtual Internships alumni in the past 12 months.
Satisfaction with Support: 96% were satisfied with the Intern Experience Manager’s skills, and 95% found the coaching helpful for achieving career goals.
Collaborative Peer Discussions: Weekly group sessions created a platform for students to develop communication and reflection skills, share experiences, and collaboratively address challenges.
“My biggest takeaway (from the coaching call) was to use this experience and build upon it for the future. This experience will be reflected on my resume and LinkedIn so it’s already building a path for future employers but now I need to take note of what I learned and apply it to the next job.”
— Dilpreet Supra, UC IT major (Software App Development)
Virtual Internships ensures that every student who participates in the program secures a placement, providing a critical opportunity for hands-on learning. Once students complete their applications and receive approval from their co-op advisor, Virtual Internships carefully matches them with companies that align with their interests and career goals. For our IT and cybersecurity students, this is especially valuable, as it allows them to gain real-world, and often international experience, even if they have limited or no prior work history.
Students are building hard skills in areas like web development, ethical hacking, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessment. They are also mastering tools such as Kali Linux, OSINT, and collaboration platforms like Google Drive and Trello. They are also strengthening soft skills like communication, task management, and teamwork—critical abilities for today’s workplace. This combination of technical expertise and professional growth ensures that our students are not only prepared for their next co-op but are also positioned to succeed in their future careers.
“My remote internship allowed me to gain skills in network security and blockchain development. Virtual Internships helped me to get exposed to what work is like in the corporate world.”
— Parth Patel, UC Cybersecurity major
We put a lot of emphasis on networking at UC because we know how critical it is for students to build professional connections well before graduation. For our IT and cybersecurity students, networking is not just about making contacts—it’s about learning from industry leaders, gaining mentorship, and understanding the dynamics of professional environments. Through Virtual Internships, our students have the unique opportunity to collaborate directly with founders, C-Suite executives, and global teams.
Exposure to Senior Leadership: Over one-third (37%) of interns collaborated directly with founders or C-Suite executives.
International Opportunities: Interns were placed in companies spanning 15 different countries, providing them with rich and diverse global work experiences.
Promising Career Prospects: 90% of supervisors shared that they would provide a positive reference for their intern, and 63% noted they would offer a full-time position if a role were available.
“I did better than I thought I did and my supervisor said it was rare that she sees people doing their work properly and do what they said they will do.”
— Haley Beyersdoerfer, UC IT Major (Game Development & Simulation)
The right employer partnerships for co-ops and internships are indispensable, providing meaningful opportunities for students while freeing up valuable time and resources for institutions to focus on innovation. At the University of Cincinnati, we recognize that as markets shift and student needs evolve, we must remain proactive in reimagining experiential learning by seeking new co-op opportunities. Our collaboration with Virtual Internships exemplifies how strategic partnerships can deliver outstanding results for all stakeholders.
The results we’ve seen so far are both encouraging and inspiring, and we’re thrilled to continue this partnership into the Summer 2025 semester. Moreover, we’re expanding the program to include another co-op unit serving a different college at UC, further increasing the reach and impact of this initiative. By fostering opportunities that blend hands-on learning with professional mentorship, we are paving the way for students to excel in their careers while ensuring our programs stay adaptable to the ever-changing demands of education and industry.
References:
Virtual Internships. (2024). University of Cincinnati End of Program Report: September 2024.
Virtual Internships. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.virtualinternships.com
Writer Bio:
Kelli Anderson, M.Ed. is an Assistant Professor and Faculty Co-op Advisor at the University of Cincinnati. She teaches and advises undergraduate students in the School of IT as part of the College of Cooperative Education & Professional Studies’ IT Co-op Unit.