The co-op experience allowed BME student Ella Schmidt not only to perform assigned tasks, but also to contribute meaningfully to her projects through in-depth group participation.
In a world where classroom learning meets real-world application, U-M BME student Ella Schmidt recently completed a co-op experience that helped her achieve professional and personal growth.
During a recent interview, Schmidt shared details about her journey from Ann Arbor to Cincinnati, where she worked as a development quality co-op at Johnson & Johnson during the Winter 2025 semester. “The whole experience was awesome–I loved it,” she said. “I was fortunate to be placed with great groups–both the co-op group and my job team. Professionally, I learned so much.”
For Schmidt, the duration of the co-op allowed her to transcend typical intern responsibilities and integrate fully with her team. “Usually by the end of a three-month internship, you are only starting to understand the bigger picture,” she said. “That last month of the co-op made me feel like I was another employee,” she noted. “That extra fourth month was remarkably beneficial.” The co-op experience allowed Schmidt not only to perform assigned tasks, but also to contribute meaningfully to her projects through in-depth group participation.
Schmidt’s role required her to dive deeply into data analysis, focusing on quality deliverables alongside the design and research and development teams. “When I joined, we were having issues with a test,” she said. “Specifically, we didn’t know why our device was failing.” Schmidt’s ability to summarize and analyze the data proved insightful to her team’s decision-making processes to resolve issues. The second mail project on which she worked focused on making sure her team was on track to meet the deadlines surrounding their design review.
Schmidt was part of a project involving laparoscopes—key instruments in J&J’s surgical system. “It’s a device that goes into a patient and has a camera on the end, allowing a surgeon to see inside the patient’s body,” Schmidt explained. Her task was not only technically challenging, but also critical in advancing minimally invasive surgical procedures.
For students contemplating their own co-op experiences, Schmidt offers encouragement to explore this opportunity: “I would highly, highly recommend it,” she said. “Being a co-op automatically helps your resume stand out. It’s incredibly beneficial, both professionally and socially,” she emphasized. Schmidt’s experience highlights the importance of networking and immersing oneself in the co-op community. With 25 to 26 fellow co-ops in her cohort, the group bonded and helped each other navigate their new workplace environment. “We were doing things together almost every weekend,” she said, noting that the group activities made the move to Cincinnati less isolating. “Starting a co-op can be a bit intimidating if you have to move someplace where you don’t know anyone,” she added.
As her co-op concluded, Schmidt reflected on the potential career paths this door could open. “There’s a hope for job offers, and networking within the company was a substantial focus,” she said, but noted there are no guarantees that the offer of a full-time position will come after a co-op position. She added, though, that networking was strongly encouraged, and she estimated that she engaged in more than 30 informal meetings with employees in various roles at J&J.
Looking ahead, Schmidt is considering whether to apply for another co-op or an internship. “Interning and doing co-ops is an amazing chance to try something different within your field,” she said, highlighting the diverse experiences these roles offer. Though she is eager to graduate on time with her class, the prospect of taking on a rotational position after graduation to explore various roles is also a possibility.
Schmidt said. “I feel like it’s a lot harder to jump into, and then maybe get out of, a full-time job after graduation, when you might be tied to greater responsibilities and completely on your own.”
“I would definitely advise everyone to try to do a co-op if possible,” she added, highlighting not just the learning aspects, but also the lasting connections and career development foundations such experiences can provide.
To learn more about engineering co-op opportunities, visit the Engineering Career Resource Center website.