Exploring on Co-op: How My Co-op Helped Me Choose a Career Path

Karleigh (Class of 2022) is majoring in Communications Studies and minoring in Political Communication, Media Production and Psychology. On campus, Karleigh is part of student organizations like Peace Through Play and CHAARG. She has done a Apple TV+ Video & Film Operations coop and interned at Stanton & Company Marking and PR in LA. Karleigh’s favorite class has been Dynamic Earth with Prof Daniel Douglass.

If you’ve heard the name Northeastern, the second thing you heard was probably “co-op.” We chose a school where our careers start in college rather than after college. Life here moves quickly, so if you don’t quite know where you want yours to go yet, you might be thinking, “Where do I fit in to all of this?”

I’ll admit, the co-op search can seem overwhelming when you’re not completely set on what you want your career path to look like. But here’s the good news: all majors (including Explorers) are invited to apply for all co-ops! For me, the co-op search turned into career shopping, and I loved it. It forced me to think, “Am I excited to do this job? Which position would I be most excited to snag?”

I *may* have gone a little overboard with the number of roles I applied for. They ranged from Production Assistant, to Legal Intern, to Boston Globe Journalism Co-op. From there, I let the interviews, writing samples, and offers guide my decisions. I paid attention to the people I was meeting, and more specifically, who I would and would not want to spend more time with. I thought my lack of a clear, decided direction would hinder my co-op search, but I found that employers saw my strange amalgamation of experiences as interesting and refreshing. I ended up landing a position as Video Services Intern at Apple, working with the Apple TV+ content. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I accepted the job in Los Angeles and began planning for my move.

By the time my co-op began, I had declared a Political Science and Communication Studies combined major with minors in Psychology, Media Production, and Political Communication. This is not typical of an intern in the entertainment industry, but there I was. My team was interested in my prior experiences and wanted to teach me all they could, regardless of where I ended up. They valued that I could bring something different to the table and genuinely wanted to invest in my future.

I don’t mean to brag, but I had a really cool co-op. I was working with the leaders of the entertainment industry, I saw famous people in the office every day, and I loved what I was doing. I had a fantastic relationship with my team, and they told me time and time again that I was more than the average intern. I was a valued, real part of the team. They trusted me with public-facing work and didn’t double check me. I loved being there every day, even after we went remote due to COVID-19. As an Explorer, I obviously wasn’t set on any given path. But for the first time, I was sure I liked where I was and what I was doing.

I’ll be honest — my last day was a teary one. My co-op ended two months ago, but I still keep in regular contact with my team, and we always chat about our plans for my first day back in LA. I made amazing contacts, did exciting work, and loved even the most stressful days. I’m sure I could be happy doing a lot of jobs, but I know I have a place in entertainment. And now I have a clear way to get there. Without co-op, I would still be unsure of myself. Now, I’ve changed my major to Communication Studies with minors in Media Production, Journalism, and Psychology. I get to explore the things I’m passionate and know I have somewhere to go with it. Co-op helped me eliminate my self-doubt, and that’s something I am endlessly grateful for.