Co-op Student Profiles #PointParkWorks
Preparing the Next Generation of Professionals
In the profiles featured below, meet some of Point Park University's co-op students and learn the companies and organizations where they landed placements. These students describe how our co-op program provided them with real-world work experience while helping them to reach their career goals and earn college credits.
Chereese Langley
Co-op: Internal Auditing Department, Schneider Downs
Major: Accounting
"Point Park's co-op program is an amazing program that I recommend to any student who is able to take advantage of it. I could not pass up the opportunity to receive an internship while getting school credits, allowing me to focus on graduation as well as information that was specifically applicable to my career. Because of this program and my internship, I received a full-time offer at Schneider Downs following graduation."
Sammy Abdulkader
Co-op: Software Engineer Intern, Philips Respironics
Major: Applied Computer Science
"I thank my professors for helping me explore the vastly different fields of information technology in classes that help me gain skills related to my co-op."
Marlee Pinchok
Co-op: Reporter, WSAZ-TV
Major: Broadcast Reporting
"I have always had a goal to begin my career before I graduate college, and I was able to accomplish that through Point Park University’s co-op program."
Anjinee Carlisle
Co-op: Office of the Inspector General, United States Postal Service Office of Audit
Majors: Accounting and Information Technology
"My classes in both accounting and information technology have been amazing! I feel like I am learning more than I imagined I would learn and I love that all of the professors can pull from their experiences and provide insightful, real-life examples that are relatable."
Sarah Balkey
Co-op: Marketing and Community Relations, Valero Texas Open
Major: Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
"The professors within my major have been amazing with finding me opportunities and even helping to make sure my resume/cover letters were always on point when applying to new jobs. They have taught me a great amount about the sports and entertainment industry, which has allowed me to take that knowledge into the real world."
Madison Winger
Co-op: Guest Services, The Pittsburgh Steelers
Major: Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
"The Rowland School of Business and SAEM department really focus on real-world experience. Their main mission is to get students to be active in the industries they want to pursue as careers. My focus has always been in the sports industry and being surrounded by Pittsburgh professional sports teams has presented me with many opportunities to get involved."
Lexus McCarthy
Co-op: Loan Documentation Specialist Co-op, S&T Bank
Major: Business Management
"All of my professors pushed me to do this co-op and made sure I had the appropriate knowledge to do my job. I am thankful for the professors who have prepared me for the role I am in today ... I know Point Park will help me reach my potential by using their network in my favor, making sure I have a job that suits me and my future career goals."
Dara Collins
Co-op: Marketing, PJ Dick
Major: Journalism
"I learned so much about Adobe Creative Cloud, and I can work with InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop better than ever before. I spent most of my time creating social media graphics for events, holidays, employees, email blasts, etc. I also shot video on job sites, which was probably my favorite part of the experience."
Sydney Patton
Co-op: Marketing Coordinator, Flying Cork
Major: Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
"The co-op program was one of the best opportunities I have had through Point Park! During my junior year, I reached out to Jessica Hobson in the Career Development Center and expressed my interest in the program because I had already heard great things about it … Without my co-op experience, I would not have received a job offer two months before graduation."
Morgan Dangelo
Co-op: Event Assistant, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Major: Business Management
"There is a special relationship that students and professors get the opportunity to have at Point Park as opposed to going to larger schools and feeling like just another student in a large lecture hall. I can confidently say when I graduate from Point Park this spring that the faculty have made a difference in their students' lives even when they don’t always see it."
Kristen Blazeyewski
Co-op: Cooperative Education Assistant, Point Park University Career Development Center
Major: HR Management
"My HR management classes have immensely helped to prepare me when taking on this co-op and for my future career as well. Point Park’s faculty have so much industry knowledge and experience. They truly take the time to make sure you understand the material in the classroom and are prepared to work in the HR field."
Taylor DeLay
Co-op: Contract Administrator, BNY Mellon
Major: Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
"My classes at Point Park prepared me for this experience tremendously. There were many SAEM professors who continually emphasized the importance of communication, how we present ourselves and professionalism. I have previously and continue to instill those qualities into myself every day in the workplace. How I carry myself is huge — and I never want to make the wrong impression."
Jeremiah Rolon
Co-op: Box Office Assistant, Pittsburgh Playhouse
Major: Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
"My co-op at the new Pittsburgh Playhouse consists of selling subscriber tickets, booking groups for group tickets and answering inquiries about the new theater, future productions and ticket needs … The SAEM faculty have been so helpful in ways I did not know I needed help in and gave me opportunities that I never could have even imagined were possible."
Samantha Exler
Co-op: Entertainment PR Student Associate, The Madison Square Garden Company
Major: Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
"A huge factor that helped me land this co-op was the SAEM Alternative Spring Break Trip that Professor Teresa Gregory takes us on every spring. When I went my sophomore year, I talked to one of the student associate program directors and learned more about what they do for students."
Charlotte Primrose
Co-op: Management Intern, Eat'n Park Hospitality Group
Major: Business Management
"I connected with co-op specialist Jessica Hobson. I told her that my dream was to someday open my own restaurant. She worked so hard to find me the right co-op that would allow me to learn everything I could about running a restaurant."
Baylee Zimmerman
Co-op: Marketing Intern, Flying Cork (now a full-time marketing coordinator)
Major: Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
"About halfway through the completion of my co-op program, I was offered a full-time position with Flying Cork upon graduation. I’m currently doing an array of things in my position, from setting up and managing Amazon accounts for clients, to project management for a new client."
Melissa Veneziano
Co-op: TPA Process Analyst, UPMC Health Plan
Major: Business Management (fully online program)
"When I was registering for spring classes, I learned that I would be able to incorporate my new position at UPMC Health Plan into a co-op experience for six credits. All of the faculty and staff at Point Park have been extremely helpful. When I have questions or need more information, everyone gets back to me within 24 hours."
Jaron Andrechak
Co-op: Royal Service Supervisor, Fairmont Pittsburgh
Major: Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
"The co-op program is an amazing experience to have while in school. It will test your limits, but also will give you the chance to be in the professional atmosphere, with the safety net and support of the faculty here at Point Park."
Darnita Holmes
Co-op: Lead Tax Intern, RSM US LLP
Majors: Accounting and Information Technology
"I have incredible professors who I can depend on and everyone from faculty to the student body have helped to push me toward my goals. As a student here, you encounter diversity on so many levels. It's refreshing to be a part of an institution that intentionally encourages this type of environment."
John Lazaro
Co-op: Marketing Manager, Flying Cork Media
Major: Business Management
"The co-op program in the Rowland School of Business is a great opportunity for students to gain real-world experience while still getting the credits they would if they were in the classroom."
Amber Mole
Co-op: Assurance Intern, PwC
Majors: Accounting and Business Management
"You get a close-up look at what it would be like as a first year associate, because that's the type of assignments they give you. I had the opportunity to work with a peer coach, a career coach and a relationship partner at the firm."
Celina DiPietro
Co-op: Data Scientist, Othot
Major: Information Technology
"I recommend the co-op program because you get to earn credits and get paid at the same time! Doing co-op helps you get more comfortable with the interviewing process, gives you a lot of experience working full time in an office and looks great on a resume."
Devon Tate
Co-op: Procurement Specialist, SAP Ariba
Major: Human Resource Management
"It's a great opportunity to gain work experience while getting your education. However, you have to be driven and motivated to effectively balance both work and school. The co-op program is an excellent stepping stone to becoming a real industry professional."