Cooperative education is a nationally recognized educational plan that integrates academic study and paid, real world work experience. More than 1,000 educational institutions have cooperated with business, industry, government, and other private and public agencies to offer work assignments related to students' educational programs and career objectives. Although many students may hold jobs while going to school, only students in officially recognized and college-monitored programs are cooperative education students.
Students compete for co-op positions as in the normal hiring process.
Several factors influence selection including job availability, grade point average, interviewing skills, acceptance by an employer, and limited prospects in some non-technical areas of employment. Liberal arts students are advised to use curriculum electives to acquire the technical skills needed to improve their marketability. A student who makes use of career planning strategies, and who remains flexible to take advantage of job opportunities, even including relocating, will have the most success at landing a placement. The co-op director reviews student files and contacts those qualified. You can let the co-op office know if a particular opening is of interest to you.