The Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been strategically building partnerships with companies throughout the United States and globally to create a wide array of opportunities for students to pursue as part of The Arch at Rensselaer.

During The Arch, all students must spend a fall or spring semester of their junior year participating in an off-campus Individual Learning Experience (ILE), which could take the form of an internship or co-op, international or national opportunity (i.e., study abroad or study at another U.S. institution), or research, civic engagement, or self-designed experience.

Many students choose to pursue an internship or co-op at one of the leading companies partnered with CCPD.

One notable partnership Rensselaer cultivated is with Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation in homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure, and industries. With a global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider Electric has been providing innovative energy and automation solutions for over two centuries.

“We strive to find the best talent for our roles. As the leader in sustainability and energy management, we look to schools such as RPI to recruit top talent and to help students create experiences and lifelong careers with our company,” said Emily Pereira, university recruiter, Talent Acquisition and Mobility, at Schneider Electric.

Schneider Electric offers a variety of internship and co-op experiences to help students grow personally and professionally across a variety of disciplines. Opportunities range from learning how to develop market strategies, to gaining hands-on knowledge about the company’s digital industry or working with its innovation team.

“Through strong partnerships with RPI alumni, we are working toward strengthening our relationship to gain top talent within higher education at Rensselaer,” said Pereira. “At Schneider Electric, students will find a meaningful, empowering, and inclusive workplace that rewards talented individuals who have the ability to combine their experience with a fresh point of view to help create valuable solutions for our consumers.”

Dawn Fitzgerald, head of digital transformation data center operations at Schneider Electric and a Rensselaer electrical, computer, and systems engineering graduate, adds, “As an alumna, I am very impressed with the new Arch program at RPI. It is an honor to be able to give back and help current students find rewarding intern/co-op opportunities.”