May. Most students elect to participate in one co-op placement, though students may choose to work for more than one assignment. Preparation of a total college plan with the student s academic advisor is required to ensure a compatible scheduling of work periods and academic courses. Exceptions to any of these requirements are made by submitting a written petition to the Coordinator of Cooperative Education who consults with the WPI Registrar for a final decision. Students can test classroom learning in the real world. Co-op earnings enable students to pay a significant portion of their college expenses.
Students improve their after-graduation job prospects by gaining valuable work experience.
Retention rates for permanent employees recruited through a co-op program are higher than for those hired through other routes. Registration deadlines are announced at the mandatory Co-op Orientation meeting which is held at the beginning of A and C terms each year. Once students complete the training in resume writing and interviewing skills that the CDC provides, the placement process begins. Employers seeking to fill a co-op position provide the CDC with a brief job description. Students decide which jobs they are interested in applying for and the CDC forwards their resume to the appropriate companies.