Co-Op Program
Program Information
Determine Your Eligibility
Program overview, eligibility, time commitment and course requirement.
Open Positions
Check out the application process and view available positions. Opportunities are posted year-round.
Meet Co-Op Participants
Meet the 2023-2024 Co-Op cohort and learn about the exciting projects they're working on at their respective companies.
Learn about the compelling career pathways our alumni have taken after gaining invaluable experience in our Co-Op Program.
Testimonials
- "I attribute the job position and stability I have today to the Co-Op Program. I cannot emphasize the gratitude I have for Melissa Hoon and Dr. Joe Pogliano for helping to cultivate my career over the past two years. They encouraged me to continually push past my comfort zone with workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities that were invaluable in my career development journey. They lead the Co-Op program with expertise and kindness, always wanting to see the students succeed in their professional goals. This program has set me on a great path and was the best part of my time at UC San Diego." — Claire Andolina '24 (she/they), 2022-2024 Thermo Fisher Scientific intern
- "The Co-Op Program has completely changed my perspective on the biotech industry. The experience I've gained, both professional and life, has helped shape the person I am today and has given me a clear path forward in my career." — Raymond Rogers '25 (he/him), 2023-2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific intern
- "The Co-Op Program helped me build my professional skills greatly. I learned several important soft skills during our BISP 182 Cooperative Education and Analysis classes. Having a mentor at Catalent through the program was extremely helpful in helping me guide the direction my career was taking. The skills I have gained during the Co-Op Program will be and have been extremely helpful to me moving forward in my career. Melissa has always been another great mentor to me over the past few years, and I appreciate the connections I have made through the program." — Manya Awal '23 (she/her), 2022-2023 Catalent intern)
- "Connections I made during the program and the interpersonal skills I gained really helped me. It also gave me super valuable experience in the biotech industry that I would not have been able to find as easily otherwise. I was able to have a great work/school balance." — Lizbeth Hoffman '23 (she/her), 2022-2023 Excellos intern
- "The internship experience granted me a foothold in the biopharmaceutical industry that otherwise would have been more difficult to secure an entry level position. This allowed me to pivot my career to an engineering-focused role in the biotech industry earlier than my peers." — Digvijay "DJ" Jani '22, '23 (he/him), 2021-2022 Thermo Fisher Scientific intern
- "Participating in the Co-Op Program gave me a sense of what biotech industry work was like. Even though I decided to pursue graduate school immediately after undergrad, I saw that there is a place for PhD-trained individuals in industry. My role also helped me develop invaluable technical skills in research as well as soft skills, such as communication and time management." — Duy An Le '24 (he/him), 2022-2023 MP Biomedicals intern
- "Through the Co-Op Program, I was able to hear the story of how industry professionals got to where they are, received advice on how to navigate my career path after graduation, and connected with these industry professionals for potential future career opportunities. I gained public speaking and leadership skills through my internship position and the Co-Op class (BISP 182 Cooperative Education and Analysis), which gave me the confidence and skills I need to join the workforce in the field I want to work in." — Ryan Sassower '24 (he/him), 2023-2024 Catalent intern
- "The Co-Op class (BISP 182 Cooperative Education and Analysis) was a great experience to add to my college environment. Presenting at the Annual Biological Sciences Annual Student Research Showcase at UC San Diego taught me many great skills that can be directly translated into my career and for projects at university. Working with professors and postdoc students was very beneficial for the insight of life after graduation and what it is like to pursue academia. This Co-Op class has also been a valuable tool to prepare me for industry after graduation." — Andrei Sheydayi '25 (he/him), 2023-2025 Catalent intern
Questions? Contact Melissa Hoon, Director, Corporate Relations and Professional Development at mhoon@ucsd.edu.