Recruit A Co-op Student

What is Cooperative Education?

Cooperative Education is a national program offered throughout colleges and universities where students have an opportunity to integrate classroom studies with “real life” work experience. SPSU offers qualified students and approved employers opportunities to participate in the Cooperative Education Program.  Students alternate periods of full-time study with periods of full-time employment for a minimum of three work periods (undergraduates) and two work periods (graduate students). 

Co-op employers benefit in the following ways:

• Co-op students accomplish valuable and necessary work freeing up full-time professional employees.
• Co-op graduates are immediately productive at graduation reducing training costs and orientation should they be hired as full-time.

Employer Expectation

Employers who wish to participate in the Co-op Program are expected to:

• Provide work experiences directly related to the student’s academic program
• Provide appropriate supervision and timely evaluations

  • NOTE: Evaluation forms are available on our website.

• Pay a wage which is commensurate with the skill level of the position / student
• Increase the degree of complexity and/or responsibility of work related tasks as the student demonstrates competency and progresses with each co-op rotation
• Contact the Coordinator of the Cooperative Education Program with any problems related to co-op student(s)
  

Getting Started

The process for employers who want to participate in our Cooperative Education Program is . . .

• Create your company profile (along with a statement that you are an AA/EEO employer) and contact information in our CAREER LINK jobs database.  
• Once you have completed that information, we will activate your account.

  • NOTE: Please allow 24-48 hours for processing during business hours.

• After your account is activated, you can add your job description to the CAREER LINK database.  Once your job announcement is posted, resumes of candidates who meet your requirements for the specific co-op opportunity will be e-mailed to you.
• When you have made your selection of candidates, you may contact the students directly for an interview and/or contact our office to schedule an on-campus interview.
• Interview the selected students.
• Notify the student in writing regarding any offer of co-op employment.

  • A copy of this letter must be forwarded to Program Coordinator and should include: 

    • Job title

    • Brief description of job responsibilities

    • Start and end dates

    • Salary

    • Name of the direct supervisor and contact information (phone number and email address)

Remember: Job assignments must be related to the student’s major field of study.

Helpful Hints

Employer Orientation Check List