Co- op is an excellent way for employers to participate in the student's education. Multiple terms allow employers to increase students' responsibilities and possibly rotate through departments to broaden the experience. Co-op students gain substantial experience in their chosen field before graduation. Some organizations are not able to hire interns or part-time staff, and use volunteers to perform many functions. Volunteer positions are especially prevalent in the social work, non-profit and health care industries.
Students often contact organizations directly to inquire if volunteer opportunities are available.
Students are encouraged to obtain adequate information about the duties and to gain as much hands-on experience as possible. Internship An internship is a work experience, usually in the summer, related to a student's major or area of interest. In most cases a student will complete only one summer with a given employer. Internships are a good way for students to gain some experience in their field and see a snapshot of the industry. The actual job may or may not be related to the students' major because this may be the student's first experience in a professional work setting.