Several hundred students met with representatives from more than 40 co-op employers on Wednesday at an expo hosted by the D’Amore-McKim School of Business. We stopped by Cabot Cage to ask a few of those students in attendance about what they were looking for and the advantages of co-op.

Chi Li, sophomore marketing and finance major 

What brought you to the co-op expo today?

I’m getting ready to go on co-op in the spring semester and I wanted to see what was out there. I already talked to a lot of companies, like TJX, to see what opportunities are available to me.

What does your dream co-op look like?

I’m looking for jobs in private-wealth management or some kind of consulting work. I want a job that lets me improve my analytical and problem-solving skills by giving me real challenges to address every day.

Peter Runstadler, middler marketing major

What kind of jobs are you looking for at the co-op expo?

I’m looking for something in computer-based marketing. Right now I’m not really sure what’s out there, so I’m meeting with as many people as I can so I can figure out exactly what I am able to do.

Why are you looking forward to co-op?

I’m ready for the professional work experience and the opportunity to network — the people you meet on co-op are really valuable as you advance in your career.

Elliott Bowles, sophomore business major

How has the expo been going for you so far?

I just talked to my first company, and it’s all very exciting. It’s great that Northeastern brought all these companies here so we can start to get connected even before the application process starts.

Where are you looking to work?

I’m originally from England, and then I moved to California in 2004. So now that I’m in Boston, I like to joke that I’m halfway back. I’ve lived in so many places and I love to travel, so I’m open to working pretty much anywhere.

What kind of company do you want to work for?

I’m still figuring out exactly what I want to do, but I think I want to work for a big company starting out — something that’s established and concrete. But I know that once I’ve got those basic skills down, I want to go somewhere smaller, like a start-up, where I can make a real difference.

Katherine Bradley, sophomore marketing major

What are you most looking forward to about being on co-op?

I see co-op as a real opportunity to explore. I am interested in my marketing classes right now, but this will let me see if this field is really where I want to be. It will be a good test for my degree.

What kind of job are you looking for?

I’m minoring in communications, so I’m thinking that something in public relations would be a good fit. I’d get to analyze data as well as be on the creative side, working on pitches and strategies. It’s a good combination.

Mohammad AlMutlaq, middler finance and entrepreneurship major

What kind of company do you want to do your first co-op with?

I’m looking to work at one of the big national companies, so I’ve already talked with John Hancock and State Street on the finance side and Johnson & Johnson and Puma on the marketing side. I’m looking for a job that can give me some real hands-on experience.

What do you hope to learn on co-op?

I’m looking for opportunities that give me a lot of experience doing things a lot of college students don’t often get to do, things like managing funds and advising corporations on their finances. I’m looking for a place that will teach me new skills then put me to work using them.