While on the job, students are regular employees of the company and are paid at a rate commensurate with the type of work they are doing within that company's compensation schedule. Co-op students are given assignments of increasing complexity and responsibility as they demonstrate their capability to progress. The student's performance is regularly reviewed by the employer and the co-op director with the assistance of the student's academic adviser throughout the program. Through mailings and visits by the co-op director communication is maintained with the student while employed. Employers participating in the co-op program are located throughout the nation and include large national companies, public utility companies, and government agencies and laboratories.
High priority is given to meeting each student's preference for employer and job location.
New co-op firms are often added based on student interest. Work Experience Students desiring a smaller scale work experience may participate in an internship or concurrent co-op. In the College of Engineering and Computer Science, an internship is a full-time, paid work experience lasting at least 10 weeks. Most internship opportunities occur in the summer.