Environmental Health and Safety Degrees: In-Demand Careers for a Sustainable Future

Gaining Hands-on Experience in Environmental Health and Safety

Choosing the right university to pursue an EHS degree is crucial, and the inclusion of cooperative education (co-op) can significantly enhance the educational experience.  

What is Cooperative Education?

There’s a reason RIT has one of the best university co-op programs in the world. We have been offering a college co-op program for more than 100 years. We value the preparedness and practice co-ops and internships provide, and the myriad ways that it benefits all. Simply put, cooperative education and internships are the career experience that converts knowledge into know-how, skills into expertise, and thinkers into doers.

You’ll alternate blocks of co-op with semesters of on-campus study. On co-op, you’ll work in industry learning the ins and outs of professional life in your degree field. RIT’s co-op program is designed for you to gain real career experience by completing meaningful projects and assignments for your co-op employer, work that contributes to a company’s objectives and goals.

Benefits of Co-op for Environmental Sustainability Health and Safety

With cooperative education (co-op) you’ll earn more than a degree. You’ll gain real-world career experience that sets you apart. It’s exposure–early and often–to a variety of professional work environments, career paths, and industries. Co-op takes your knowledge and turns it into know-how, providing you with hands-on experience that enables you to apply your packaging science knowledge in professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.

• Real-World Experience: Co-op experiences provide you with practical, hands-on exposure to the challenges and opportunities in EHS, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios.
• Networking Opportunities: Build professional networks, connect with potential employers, and gain insight into various industries and organizations.
• Enhanced Employability: Real-world, hands-on experiences are more attractive to employers, as they illustrate both your academic knowledge and practical skills.
• Career Clarity: Clarify your career goals and interests within the EHS field, which can help you feel confident about your career path and your professional aspirations.  

Renowned for its cooperative education, RIT provides students with the opportunity to work with industry-leading organizations, government agencies, and nonprofit institutions. Students gain practical experience, apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations, and build a strong foundation for their future careers. This unique approach enhances their employability and contributes to their personal and professional growth.