What are Co-ops and Internships?

Cooperative Education (co-op) is an opportunity where students can participate in extended work experiences directly related to their major. Students combine practical on-the-job experience with classroom learning by working multiple semesters, usually alternating semesters of work and school during their sophomore, junior, and senior years.

An Internship is an opportunity where students may participate in a short-term work experience related to their field of study. Students combine classroom skills with job training during a semester-long experience.

What Are The Benefits Of Internships And Co-Ops?

A quality internship or co-op will provide you with a competitive edge in today’s job market. These experiences assist you make career decisions, develop your professional and personal skills, help you start networking early, and test classroom skills in real-life learning situations. Today, more employers are looking for graduates who already have experience in their fields, so to compete for jobs you’ll need the competitive edge that internships and co-ops offer.

When should I start thinking about internships or co-ops?

Most employers are looking for current sophomores, juniors and seniors but almost all positions are restricted from hiring recent graduates for internships. Be sure to begin your Fall semester by making an appointment with Career Services to develop and update your resume and participate in a Mock Interview. You can begin this process as early as your Freshman Year. (It’s important to meet with Career Services to update your resume every year.)

During the Christmas Break and the Spring Semester, you should begin your internship or co-op search. Some employers will have application deadlines as early as February, many close in March or April, and a few last minute positions are open in May.

Students have the most flexibility to participate in internships and co-ops during the summer semester; however, many students choose to take advantage of local part-time internships during the fall and spring semesters. You may also choose to take part in a full-time opportunity outside of St. Louis during the fall or spring.

Alternatives to Internships or Co-ops

If you can’t find an internship, consider taking a job performing clerical work, running errands or performing other duties for an employer in the field you are studying. You can also ask to shadow a professional in your field for an hour, a day, or a week. On the surface these experiences don’t sound very important but you’ll gain exposure to the industry, make networking connections, and learn about work ethics and workplace communications. This will make you much more competitive when you are competing for internships, co-ops or jobs in the future. It is also a good idea to pursue these types of activities during the summer after your Freshman Year.