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. 

Co-op employers with quality programs 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.

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
• Pay a wage which is commensurate with the skill level of the position
• Make a good faith effort to continue a student’s employment through completion of the Co-op Program
• 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 need to activate your account.
  • NOTE: Please allow 24-48 hours for processing during business hours.
• Then 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 and/or internship 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 referred students.
• Notify the student in writing regarding any offer of co-op employment.
  • A copy of this letter must be forwarded to this office and should include:  job title, start and end dates, salary and the name of the direct supervisor.
• Remember that Job assignments must be related to the student’s major field of study.

Contact Linda Quick, Career and Employer Relations Coordinator (coordinates our Experiential Education Programs: Cooperative Education and Internships) for any questions.

General Information

Student benefits, including compensation, travel expenses, insurance, vacation, sick leave, per diem, tuition assistance, reimbursements, etc., are under the jurisdiction of the individual employer.  Employers receive regular correspondence from the coordinator of the Cooperative Education Program.  This correspondence allows the coordinator and employer an opportunity to stay in touch with one another.

Helpful Hints

At the beginning of the student’s first work semester, it is useful to provide an orientation period similar to that provided any new employee.  Orientation topics should include various aspects of the company, the day to day functions of the office and general expectations.  If possible, specific and measurable learning objectives should be established.  The student should understand the overall scope of any projects and from whom they will receive, and can seek direction.

Employer Orientation Check List

The following is a suggested list for supervisors.  You may wish to utilize some or all of these in your initial orientation with co-op students.

Co-op Calendar

           
Co-op Student Performance Evaluation Form

Co-op Salary Survey (2007)