What it’s like to be a ServiceNow co-op and work full time

Lauren Canney co-authored this blog post, the first in a three-part series about the ServiceNow co-op program for college students.

We’re co-ops at ServiceNow. Although we’re young and want to have fun, we know how important it is to gain professional experience before we graduate from college. So instead of attending classes for six months, we follow the Monday-to-Friday, 9-to-5 corporate routine.

You may be thinking that sounds dull. But before you judge, listen to these four unique stories from some of our fellow co-ops to discover how we’re living our best lives while working full time.

Work-life balance

There’s much more to a ServiceNow co-op than their job title. Take Michele G., for instance. She’s a third-year student at Northeastern University in Boston, working as a marketing co-op on the corporate events team.

She’s also an accomplished musician. Her original songs have garnered around 250,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and her hit single has earned more than 40 million plays.

While working 9-to-5, Michele continues to practice and perform her music, playing shows every month in New York City, just a few blocks away from the Hudson Yards office where she works. How does she do it? She credits her flexible work environment.

“ServiceNow has been really friendly with being able to have me balance my work and life,” she says. “It’s been great in terms of me pursuing my dreams.”

Family time

Emma T., also a third-year student at Northeastern and a second-time co-op on the corporate events marketing team, echoes that. “My team places an emphasis on taking care of yourself,” she says. “I’m working from 9 to 5. After 5, I can shut it off and go and play a game, work out, or do whatever I want.”

One of Emma’s hobbies is playing video games—something she’s been doing with her dad and brother for as long as she can remember. It’s their way of bonding. Even though she's now in Boston while her family remains in New Jersey, video games continue to unite them.

“It’s definitely how I stay connected with my brother and my dad,” she says. “I don't call them. We just go on Xbox.”

A place of belonging

It’s common for co-ops to struggle with imposter syndrome—feeling like we don’t belong. Luckily, ServiceNow fosters a friendly atmosphere that constantly reminds us that we fit right in.

“My team is so welcoming and so sweet,” Michele says. “People are interested in supporting you as a human, as opposed to just as co-workers.”

Max S., another third-year student at Northeastern and an event field marketing co-op, experienced this sense of belonging from the moment he joined the company.

“At ServiceNow, the team that I'm working with is so understanding and patient,” he explains. “You’re never alone. It makes it easier to transition as a student into a professional setting.”

Workplace inclusion

Richard Z. is a second-year student at Northeastern and a digital acquisition strategy and operations marketing co-op. He says one way he feels included in the workplace is by being involved in the company’s employee belonging groups.

“When I joined ServiceNow, I wanted to be surrounded by a lot of people who looked like me,” he says. “One thing that I found really helpful is being able to join groups that I have affiliation with.” Richard signed up for the Asian and Pacific Islander at ServiceNow and Pride at ServiceNow groups.

“When I feel out of place, I go back to places of comfort,” Richard explains. “That's what I love about ServiceNow, that you can go back to a community that you resonate with.”

True authenticity

Max and Emma are also involved in Pride at ServiceNow. And Emma’s been a member of Women at ServiceNow since her first co-op at the company.

“There’s definitely a good amount of inspiration [in the group],” she says. “It’s just the fact that if she can do it, I can do it. Someone always needs to be taking that step to make other people feel more comfortable and inspired to break gender norms and stereotypes.”

Emma continues, “Every time I see a woman do something that supposedly ‘contradicts’ her femininity, she is standing up for all the women around her.”

Encouraging others to be their true selves has always been important to Emma. Growing up, “my dad allowed me to be a girly girl and a tomboy when I wanted to,” she explains, “so I’ve always been secure in myself. But there always needs to be some sort of awareness."

"Live your best life” is not just a slogan ServiceNow tosses around. It’s a commitment to all ServiceNow employees, including co-ops, to welcome and celebrate the uniqueness each person brings.

Join a company that celebrates you for who you are. Explore early-career opportunities at ServiceNow.