Co-op Program Readies ESU Students for Careers Through Hands-On Industry Experience

For students at East Stroudsburg University, the classroom is only part of the learning experience. Through the university’s cooperative education (co-op) program, students are stepping directly into professional roles with major companies and gaining hands-on experience that is shaping their career paths long before graduation.

The co-op program allows students to alternate academic study with immersive work experiences at organizations like Camelback Resort, Hershey Foods, Campbell’s Soup, Kalahari Resort, and PepsiCo. These placements provide students with opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-world business environments.

For Zandray Thompson, a senior finance major from Jackson, N.J., his co-op experience at Hershey has offered an inside look at the operations of a Fortune 500 company.

“It’s been a great experience so far learning many new things from the managers at Hershey,” Thompson said. “Being a category management intern, I work extensively with data, using Excel, Power BI, and other software that tracks retail point-of-sale and consumer data. I create reports, I’ve been tasked with visualizing data for important meetings, and I work with cross-functional teams.”

Thompson credits his connection with Sylvester Williams, JD, dean of the College of Business and Management, with helping him secure the opportunity.

“Through working with the dean, I’ve been able to give back to ESU and help develop the university’s connections with local businesses and our surrounding area,” Thompson said.

Since beginning his co-op in January, Thompson has gained both technical and professional insight that he believes will serve him well beyond graduation.

“It’s a great resume builder, but most importantly, I’m learning so many new things,” he said. “Hershey has great internship programs, because they take the time to train their interns for success in their future careers. Being a senior graduating this May, this opportunity was perfect for me. I get to graduate and work with an amazing company after.”

Junior finance major R. Christian Proctor, from Coatesville, Pa., is also gaining valuable experience through a Hershey co-op placement, where he contributes to category management and reporting.

“It’s been a great process learning from my coworkers and learning the ins and outs of category management,” Proctor said. “I’ve also been able to network with many different individuals, allowing me to build great relationships throughout the company.”

His co-op runs from January through August, with plans to relocate to Hershey in May to continue his experience on site.

Through his work, Proctor has already begun applying the analytical and financial skills he developed in the classroom to real business challenges.

“This has been a great experience learning from people working throughout the field,” he said. “I’ve been able to put my major skills in data analytics and finance to use with real life situations throughout the company. It has allowed me to grow as a person and develop new skills that will help me throughout my future career.”

Similarly, Brady Norton, a senior sport management major from Wind Gap, Pa., is gaining firsthand experience through his co-op at Camelback Resort. Though still in the early stages, his work in the snow sports department has immersed him in daily resort operations and customer service.

Norton quickly found himself adapting to the fast-paced demands of resort management.

Through his daily responsibilities, Norton has observed how flexibility and responsiveness are essential in managing operations, particularly in a customer-focused environment.

“My main takeaway so far is about how reactive management has to be in the snow sports department,” he said. “Changes are constant. Whether it be call-outs or customers wanting to reschedule, management has to constantly be prepared to change plans based on new information. I was already quite aware of this being the case in management, but for this particular department, it really stands out on a daily basis.”

In addition to support within the companies themselves, students who participate in co-ops are provided with an ESU faculty mentor who oversees the educational experience and evaluates their performance in collaboration with site supervisors.

“This full-time, paid position offers students a unique opportunity to gain operational experience and structured leadership training through the co-op program – distinguishing it from traditional internships,” said Jaedeock Lee, Ph.D., professor and chair of sport management and one of the faculty mentors supervising students.

The co-op program typically involves extended work placements that allow students to fully integrate into professional environments while receiving mentorship from experienced professionals.

Students develop critical skills such as communication, problem-solving, time management and professionalism — competencies that are essential for success in today’s workforce.

Just as importantly, the program helps students bridge the gap between theory and practice. By applying academic knowledge in real-world settings, students gain a clearer understanding of their career goals and often establish connections that lead to full-time employment opportunities.

For students like Thompson, Proctor and Norton, the co-op experience is a transformative one.

“This opportunity has been an amazing way to sharpen my skills and give me a professional foundation to use throughout my future endeavors,” Proctor said. “At the same time, it has taught me many new things in the professional workspace that will be valuable for the rest of my career.”

Photo: Zandray Thompson, a senior finance major at East Stroudsburg University is doing a Co-op with Hershey this semester.

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