“Having been a Co-op student myself, I had a positive experience. I can relate very easily to what they’re feeling as they’re coming into a situation…I think that I represent a certain sector of people who would be Co-op students; and those are people who are changing careers, relocating, coming into a community where they might not have a network of business associates that they can key into and the Co-op experience was perfect for providing a network.”
“CPCC was represented to me as having a good graphics program. So, I enrolled in it and they set me up with a couple of different intern positions and this was the last one that I ended up taking, and was offered a full time position as a coordinator. And then a year later I became a group leader; and then a year after that I was offered the position of manager and then last year I was promoted to Assistant Director.”

-- Lynn Baker, speaking of her co-op experience with Compass Group USA

“My experience with Co-op has been fantastic because Jennifer Coble has taken me with her every time she has gone to the courthouse. She has put me in front of a lot of different people- not just being able to file a motion with a clerk of the superior court, but also with other attorneys, other officers of the court.”
“You can’t beat the idea of getting experience in your field and having it apply towards school; and then being able to use that afterwards. And you never know, your co-op position may end up being where you stay. So, in that case, you’ve actually found your job. But, also to use it to be able to make the connections within the field; and just being able to network. You just can’t beat it!"

--Alicia Nerad, speaking of her co-op experience with Jennifer Coble, Atty at Law  (paralegal)

“There’s more to it than just the dollars and cents that you see upfront, it’s building relationships with people, it’s building relationships with the community. Your local people who already live and work in this area have the opportunity to grow. The long term is that we’ve gotten very excellent employees out it.”
“What I have witnessed over the years… these young people bring other young people who want to get into the business. It saves me a lot of running of ads in the paper and otherwise looking for quality individuals.”

--Larry Klutz,  Hendrick Honda  (employer partner)

"Right now I support the operations of coalition forces in Iraq, working side by side with service members of the US military. 
Please know that the broad range of responsibilities and duties at the Foundation, through my co-op, lead me to this point in my career.  After being trained by CPCC via the VA Rehabilitation program, and having the co-op program act as my finishing school, this is no less than a gift from God.  I cannot express how proud I am to once again serve our country, albeit outside of the uniform.
I appreciate all you and your staff do to establish, maintain, and expand the working relationships with host employers.  I have been, and always will be, a strong and vocal advocate for co-op programs with my peers and employers.  The department’s efforts have a tremendous ability to make a difference in students careers, and I thank you all."

--Todd Moore, speaking of his co-op experience (Network Admin (US Forces))

“A co-op is a very important class that I highly recommend that students take.  It is a great opportunity for a student to get real life work experience.  I am thankful that my program of Graphic Design at Central Piedmont Community College required me to have a co-op experience.  
I am learning to be a graphic designer and my co-op experience took place at Image Marketing Group, Inc. in Shelby, NC.  I cannot describe how thankful I am for coming there because I’m learning so much.  Also, I’m taking my skills that I did learn in class and advancing them. 
I encourage everyone to take part in a co-op because it will give you a great insight on how this career works and what you need to know.  With my experience at Image I was able to obtain a job as a part-time graphic designer and they are training me to become their new full-time graphic designer.  Not only is there a job learning experience with a co-op, there is also a job opportunity."

-- Ryan Gunter, speaking of his co-op experience at Image (graphic designer)