Cooperative Education
Cooperative Education combines classroom learning and on-the-job experience so that one kind of learning illustrates and develops the other. The program takes its name from the close cooperation between the academic institution and the employer, assuring that the work experience will contribute significantly to a student’s overall growth and professional development. Concurrently, the participating company receives numerous benefits from creative and enthusiastic students and contact with the university.
What are the benefits for a student who registers for a Co-Op Assignment?
- Acquisition of specialized engineering skills
- Better understanding of how industry works
- Better understanding of how to work with people
- Confirmation of career choice
- Increased confidence in one’s own abilities and judgment
- Practical application of classroom studies
- Salary earned will help finance the student’s education
- Starting salary upon graduation is usually higher than for those students who have not participated in the co-op program
What are the benefits for the employer of a co-op student?
- Co-op students tend to progress faster, go further and stay longer than employees who did not have co-op experience
- Opportunity to address lower priority projects with lower cost employees
- Opportunity to evaluate the potential for permanent employment based on performance rather than just an interview
- Publicity about your company, reaching students and faculty outside the co-op programs
- Training costs decrease because a substantial portion is done at co-op salary rather than permanent salary
How this Works – Employer Perspective
Employers should provide a job description and any requirements the co-op student must meet. Interviews may be done on-campus, by phone, or on-site. Terms of employment (time period, salary, fringe benefits, transportation, etc.) are negotiated directly between the employer and the student. There is no obligation to hire the student for another work period or as a permanent employee.
Feedback from Employers
Employers indicate that the program has mutual benefits to the employer and the student. Employers are able to train prospective employees in the practicalities of engineering and expose students to the rules, procedures, reports and ways of doing things that meet accepted industry standards. Company professionals profit from the knowledge of the student and often can keep better up-to-date on what is being taught in the classroom.
How this Works – Student Perspective
Requirements:
- be a UW-Platteville student, meaning you will have started major courses in EE or ME as part of our program
- have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5
- the position is appropriate for your major in EE or ME; consult your faculty advisor
- register with Pioneer Career Network
- obtain an official offer letter from the company stating the starting and ending dates, immediate supervisor, and a brief job description - submit it to the Collaborative Program Director
- complete a "Student Co-op Agreement" form (supplied after meeting other requirements)
Co-ops are for 2 credits for each term; i.e. 2 credits in Spring and 2 credits in Summer, for a total of 4 credits. Internships are for Summer terms only and for 1 credit. Students may not register for more than one class per semester while taking part in these experiences.
Feedback from Students
Co-op participants indicate that combining their classroom exercises with actual engineering situations are an excellent way to learn more about the real-world working environment. The co-op experience also assists with college finances and postgraduate employment prospects.
Are students guaranteed a co-op assignment?
The number and types of positions offered vary each semester depending on the needs of companies involved in the co-op program. There is no guarantee that every student interested in co-op in a given semester will be placed in a position.
Will co-op participants extend their graduation date?
Students enrolled in the program generally add extended time to their degree completion date. However, the work experience enhances classroom learning, and the experience plus salary gained often outweighs the extension of undergraduate studies.
Will students receive a salary?
Most employers provide some benefits or scholarships. Wages offered are based on many factors, including the engineering major, academic skills of the student, market demand and geographic area.
For more information, or to establish an opportunity, talk with the Collaborative Program Director.
Cooperative Education
Cooperative Education combines classroom learning and on-the-job experience so that one kind of learning illustrates and develops the other. The program takes its name from the close cooperation between the academic institution and the employer, assuring that the work experience will contribute significantly to a student’s overall growth and professional development. Concurrently, the participating company receives numerous benefits from creative and enthusiastic students and contact with the university.
What are the benefits for a student who registers for a Co-Op Assignment?
- Acquisition of specialized engineering skills
- Better understanding of how industry works
- Better understanding of how to work with people
- Confirmation of career choice
- Increased confidence in one’s own abilities and judgment
- Practical application of classroom studies
- Salary earned will help finance the student’s education
- Starting salary upon graduation is usually higher than for those students who have not participated in the co-op program
What are the benefits for the employer of a co-op student?
- Co-op students tend to progress faster, go further and stay longer than employees who did not have co-op experience
- Opportunity to address lower priority projects with lower cost employees
- Opportunity to evaluate the potential for permanent employment based on performance rather than just an interview
- Publicity about your company, reaching students and faculty outside the co-op programs
- Training costs decrease because a substantial portion is done at co-op salary rather than permanent salary
How this Works – Employer Perspective
Employers should provide a job description and any requirements the co-op student must meet. Interviews may be done on-campus, by phone, or on-site. Terms of employment (time period, salary, fringe benefits, transportation, etc.) are negotiated directly between the employer and the student. There is no obligation to hire the student for another work period or as a permanent employee.
Feedback from Employers
Employers indicate that the program has mutual benefits to the employer and the student. Employers are able to train prospective employees in the practicalities of engineering and expose students to the rules, procedures, reports and ways of doing things that meet accepted industry standards. Company professionals profit from the knowledge of the student and often can keep better up-to-date on what is being taught in the classroom.
How this Works – Student Perspective
Requirements:
- be a UW-Platteville student, meaning you will have started major courses in EE or ME as part of our program
- have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5
- the position is appropriate for your major in EE or ME; consult your faculty advisor
- register with Pioneer Career Network
- obtain an official offer letter from the company stating the starting and ending dates, immediate supervisor, and a brief job description - submit it to the Collaborative Program Director
- complete a "Student Co-op Agreement" form (supplied after meeting other requirements)
Co-ops are for 2 credits for each term; i.e. 2 credits in Spring and 2 credits in Summer, for a total of 4 credits. Internships are for Summer terms only and for 1 credit. Students may not register for more than one class per semester while taking part in these experiences.
Feedback from Students
Co-op participants indicate that combining their classroom exercises with actual engineering situations are an excellent way to learn more about the real-world working environment. The co-op experience also assists with college finances and postgraduate employment prospects.
Are students guaranteed a co-op assignment?
The number and types of positions offered vary each semester depending on the needs of companies involved in the co-op program. There is no guarantee that every student interested in co-op in a given semester will be placed in a position.
Will co-op participants extend their graduation date?
Students enrolled in the program generally add extended time to their degree completion date. However, the work experience enhances classroom learning, and the experience plus salary gained often outweighs the extension of undergraduate studies.
Will students receive a salary?
Most employers provide some benefits or scholarships. Wages offered are based on many factors, including the engineering major, academic skills of the student, market demand and geographic area.
For more information, or to establish an opportunity, talk with the Collaborative Program Director.