Cooperative Education
A course that teaches through REAL experiences.
Co-Op Orientation
Welcome to CSM’s Cooperative Education Orientation.
About Co-Op
Co-op is an academic course that allows you to get involved, on a paid or volunteer basis, in a real work environment that relates to your major.
Co-op is available in almost every discipline at CSM. For most students this course is an elective. For students enrolled in Information Technology, Early Childhood Education, Computer Art and Digital Imaging, Electronics Technology, Engineering Technology, and Construction Management, this course is a requirement.
This course may be referred to as “cooperative education” or “co-op” or “internship.” All 3 are used synonymously on our campus and at most other colleges.
Credits and Required Work
Co-op can provide you with up to 3 academic credits. Most of the work is done at the co-op site but you will work with a faculty member who will require assignments as well.
For every 3 credit co-op course you select, you will be required to accrue 225 hours at your co-op site. If you take co-op in the fall or spring semester, you would be working or volunteering about 15 hours per week. If you take this course during a shorter summer session, you would need to work or volunteer about 30 hours per week to get to the 225 hour requirement.
Student Benefits
Build up your résumé
Students who have taken the co-op course report being more confident in a job setting. They have real job experience to add to their résumé along with current and enthusiastic references. In some cases references are not necessary. Many students end up staying with the company that sponsored their co-op experience.
Your college education will allow you more career options than you would have had as a high school grad. Co-op makes you an even more desirable candidate in a competitive job market. You have already proven that you have the skills for employment.
Learn what careers you might enjoy
Co-op gives you a chance to try out what you have learned in the classroom for a short period of time. If you enjoy the experience you can proceed with the job search. The co-op experience can also give you the chance to make changes to your career goals, and discover the array of choices that will match your skills.
Get credits for your degree, for work you already do
If you are already working in your major, co-op may be a great way to expedite your progress to degree completion. Depending on the duties of your job, it may be possible to use your current experience for academic credit.
How to Get Started
Co-op is a course that you can’t just register for online. There are some factors to check first. Here are some things to consider:
- You must have an overall grade point average of at least 2.0. CSM wants students to be well prepared for the world of work and this is one way to document that preparation.
- You must complete the prerequisites for your co-op course. Prerequisites vary with each discipline. You will want to check your selection to find out what is required. Completion of ENG-1010 is one prerequisite for all co-op courses.
- You must identify a location where you will be working or volunteering.
- You must have a list of job duties or be working on a project that relates to your current major.
The best and fastest way to check on these factors is to contact the co-op advisor. She will confer with you about your prerequisites, get the details of your potential co-op work site, and consult with the faculty instructor for your co-op course.
If you are already employed this information should be easy to collect. If you are not employed in your field, the co-op advisor can help you market yourself for a co-op site. She will let you know about Job Connection, CSM’s online employer database for local employment opportunities. She will also help you fine tune your résumé.
When to Get Started
Checking prerequisites, identifying an employer, and defining your project or objectives takes time. That’s why it is best to contact Career Services at least 8 weeks prior to the semester you want to take this course. If you are looking for a job, you may want to contact Career Services even sooner.
What is the first step?
Complete the Co-Op Intake Form
Simply complete the Co-Op Intake Form. This does not obligate you to take the course. It simply lets the advisor know that you are interested in finding out more about co-op. The sooner you get started the better.