Information Systems Co-op Leads to Full-time Position

Elias Chbeir, Computer Information Sciences Co-op participant and Information Systems major, Accounting minor successfully completed the Cleveland State University Information Systems Co-op at Lubrizol and as a result, was hired full-time.

Regarding his experience with the co-op program, Elias says, "I knew you needed more than a degree to find a competitive job in the business world. I also knew with the co-op it would take me 5 years to graduate, but many employers I've talked to informed me that it doesn't matter how long it takes, if you're gaining experience in your major."

In addition to completing 2 full co-op terms, Elias worked part-time for Lubrizol Corporation. His hands-on experience included projects on public-facing websites, an Intranet site, business intelligence and analysis and an advanced help desk role. During his time at Lubrizol, he helped raise funds for United Way, volunteered for community service, made presentations to the division (including senior management and the vice president), served as project manager on a few projects and had the opportunity to travel to northern Illinois for 3 weeks to merge the IT infrastructure/network of a newly acquired company into the Lubrizol infrastructure and network.

Below, Elias with Dr. Ray Henry, then Chair of the Information Systems Department receiving an award as the College of Business' nominee for valedictorian for the December 2015 graduation ceremonies.