SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Penn State Schuylkill’s Co-Op Program hosted a breakfast Sept. 30 for members of its Consortium of Co-Op Employers, bringing together regional employers, students, faculty, staff and campus board members to strengthen connections between the classroom and workplace.
The event began with a breakfast buffet, giving employers an opportunity to network with one another and connect with members of the Penn State Schuylkill community.
Chancellor Robert E. Bohrer II welcomed guests and thanked consortium members for their partnership and support of Penn State Schuylkill students.
Cory Scherer, chief academic officer, also welcomed attendees and introduced Cierra Abrachinsky, director of cooperative education and career services.
Abrachinsky provided updates on the Co-Op Program and discussed opportunities for continued growth.
“I want to continue strengthening this consortium and create more opportunities for employers to engage with students throughout the year,” Abrachinsky said. “I also want to make sure our internship experiences continue to build on one another. By graduation, I want our students to be able to show not simply that they completed internships, but how they grew because of them.”
Students also shared how their experiences with the program have shaped their college and career journeys.
Alex Kull, a fourth-year business marketing and management major, spoke about his experience participating in the Co-Op Program and how it helped prepare him to speak at the event.
“I’m a first-generation college student, and when I started college, I didn’t fully understand how important relationships and having a professional network would be in building a career. Co-Op has taught me that,” Kull said. “When you don’t have a roadmap, every introduction matters. Every conversation matters. Every person who is willing to offer advice, encouragement, or an opportunity can make a difference.”
“For me, Co-Op became that roadmap I live my life by,” he continued. “It gave me people to learn from, opportunities to grow, and the confidence to start seeing myself as a professional.”
Koera Leitzel, a first-year nursing major, discussed why she joined the Co-Op Program and what she hopes to gain from the experience during her time at Penn State Schuylkill.
“When I first heard about the Co-Op program at orientation, what interested me most was the opportunity to explore different career paths, gain real-world experience, and connect with professionals,” Leitzel said. “I hoped it would help me find direction and give me a better understanding of what I wanted for my future.”
“As I look ahead, I look forward to gaining hands-on experience, learning directly from professionals, and continuing to discover where I can make the greatest impact on health care,” she said.
Penn State Schuylkill’s Co-Op Program is a Penn State work-based learning program that partners with employers to bring the classroom and workplace together in some of the most sought-after areas.
The collaboration provides benefits for both students and employers. Students gain real-world experience and opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom, while employers can develop relationships with emerging talent and contribute to a strong regional workforce.
The Consortium of Co-Op Employers consists of companies that partner with Penn State Schuylkill to offer internship and co-op experiences as part of the educational curriculum. Through these partnerships, Penn State Schuylkill continues to strengthen connections between students, employers and the communities it serves while helping prepare students for success beyond graduation.
Businesses and organizations interested in becoming part of the Consortium of Co-Op Employers can learn more at sl.psu.edu/consortium. Students interested in learning more about the Penn State Schuylkill Co-Op Program can visit sl.psu.edu/coop.