Cooperative Education

Co-op

The WPI Cooperative Education Program (known as Co-op) provides an opportunity for students to alternate time in the classroom with extended periods of paid, full-time, career-related work experience in industry or government agencies. The program, which is optional at WPI, entails work assignments during the summer or during the academic year. The following are the options of duration for undergraduate students: 1. Summer and A term 2. Summer, A term and B term 3. C term, D term and Summer 4. D term and Summer 5. Summer, A term, B term, C term and D term 6. A term, B term, C term, D term and summer

Most students elect to participate in one Co-op assignment, though students may choose to complete up to two. Students who participate in the Co-op program can graduate on time especially when they have Advanced Placement coursework and/or have planned ahead. It is recommended that students pre-plan during their first or second year at school. Preparation of a complete four year plan with the student’s academic advisor is required to ensure compatible scheduling of work periods and academic courses.

In order to qualify for the Co-op program, students must meet the following requirements: 1. Must be a current, full time, undergraduate WPI student in good standing. Note: If any of the following conditions apply a student may petition for eligibility. 1. Not in good academic standing (i.e. on academic warning or probation) 2. Have financial holds on their account 3. Have a judicial record. Note: having a judicial record does not automatically preclude you from participating in a Co-op. 4. Want to register for up to 1/3 unit of course while on Co-op. 2. International students must complete one full academic year at WPI before being eligible for Co-op, due to US Federal Government regulations. In addition, the Co-op must be related to the major (not minor). For questions, please contact International

House. 3. Understand the impact Co-op would have on your federal and institutional financial aid through a meeting with the Office of Student Aid & Financial

Literacy. 4. Understand the impact your Co-op will have on your course schedule and outline your four year plan, including projects, Co-op, etc. and have it reviewed through a required meeting with your Faculty

Advisor. 5. Approval will be needed from your Faculty Advisor,

Office of Student Aid & Financial Literacy, Supervisor at your Co-op, Bursar, Dean of Students Office, Career

Development Center (CDC), and International House (if applicable). Approvals are done electronically through Handshake, beginning with you entering your Co-op information in your Handshake Account’s

Experiences section. The deadline for fall Co-ops is

August 1; the deadline for spring Co-ops is December 1. Co-ops received after deadline are reviewed on a case by case basis. Submissions after the add/ drop deadline will not be approved. 6. To be considered, the Co-op must be full time (at least 30 hours per week), paid, 4-8 months in duration and related to your major and career goals. 7. Understands and accepts the Terms of Agreement. (see website for more info at wpi.edu/+coop)

Advantages to Students and Employers

Co-op offers several advantages to students: 1. Students gain experience, build their resume and bring theory into practice. 2. Co-op earnings enable students to pay a significant portion of their college expenses. 3. Sharpen skills and abilities as an emerging professional. 4. Test out career options to help clarify career goals and interests. 5. Return to school with new knowledge and experience in their field. 6. Position themselves for future opportunities; Co-op participants are preferred full time hires. 7. Transcript will show Co-op and indicate company name.

Co-op also offers several benefits to employers:

1. Co-op students can handle assignments that may be difficult for untrained personnel, but that do not require the talents of experienced professionals 2. The program gives employers the chance to judge the actual on-the-job performance of potential permanent employees. 3. Retention rates for permanent employees recruited though a Co-op program are higher than for those hired through other routes.

The Co-op Process

Students interested in participating in Co-op should contact the Career Development Center to set up a Co-op information appointment. The following is a list of things that need to be done prior to the CDC processing a Co-op application: 1. Meet with your faculty advisor and the Office of

Academic Advising to develop an academic plan including Co-op and your degree requirements. 2. Students with financial aid must schedule a meeting with the Office of Student Aid & Financial Literacy to discuss a Co-op’s impact on your financial aid status. 3. Meet with the Career Development Center to learn how to search and apply for Co-ops. This includes resume and cover letter writing, job search strategies and resources, interview skills, and salary negotiation.

The Career Development Center encourages you to use appointments, drop ins or attend workshops to prepare. If you would like to learn more about Co-op please schedule a Co-op Information appointment. 4. Please read the Terms of Agreement (visit wpi.edu/+coop for information). When submitting the Undergraduate Co-op Forms you are confirming you have read, understand and will abide by the terms. 5. Remain registered for courses until your Co-op is processed. The Office of the Registrar will then unenroll you from courses and register you for Co-op. 6. Apply, interview, and accept a Co-op position and utilize the CDC for support. After officially accepting an offer, you should immediately withdraw applications with any other companies. Politely let them know you have accepted another position so other students may benefit. The CDC can help you with communicating this; if you need assistance or would like to role-play the scenario please make an appointment with a CDC Staff Member or visit the

CDC during drop-in hours. Employers will appreciate your professionalism. 7. Complete the Undergraduate Co-op Program Forms which are found in your Handshake account. To begin, enter your Co-op in the Experiences section, which will then include your acknowledgement to abide by the Terms of Agreement, allow review of your Judicial Record through the Dean of Students

Office, Bursar for financial holds, approval by your

Faculty Advisor that you have communicated your four year academic course plan, the Co-op experience, and that you are in good academic standing, supervisor at the company, the Office of

Student Aid & Financial Literacy, Career Development

Center, International House (if applicable), and for you to upload a copy of the job description, and an offer

letter mentioning start date, end date, salary and supervisor contact information. Should you be submitting a petition, you will submit this while filling out the aforementioned forms. 8. The CDC will initially confirm that your Co-op meets the Eligibility Requirements of the Undergraduate Coop Program. After the CDC’s initial confirmation on your Co-op, the approval process begins. Once all approvals are received and granted, notification will be sent to the Registrar, the Office of Student Aid &

Financial Literacy, the Bursars Office, and if applicable,

International House and Residential Services, as well as to you and your faculty advisor and supervisor. The

Registrar at this point will un-enroll you from academic courses in the terms you will be away and register you for CP 100_ (the applicable courses that align with your time on Co-op). 9. Make arrangements for your housing in the new location/Sublet your current off-campus apartment/

Return your residence hall key before traveling to your Co-op. If you do not make arrangements for your current housing or return your residence hall key to

Residential Services you will be charged for housing. 10. You may now start your Co-op on the date agreed upon with your employer. Enjoy your experience, and know the Career Development Center is here to support you through this experience. Employers seeking to fill a Co-op position provide the CDC with a job description on Handshake, our web-based system. Students will then apply to those positions through Handshake by forwarding their resume and cover letter to the appropriate companies. In addition, students can look for Co-op experiences on their own initiative. Some employers interview candidates on campus; others review resumes and then invite selected students for on-site interviews. The final hiring decision is left to the employer. The student is free to interview with more than one employer and to identify opportunities outside of WPI’s postings, ultimately choosing among the employment offers received. Once a decision is made, students are required to stop interviewing and applying for other positions and alert pending employers that they are no longer looking.

Information and Registration

Students interested in exploring the possibility of participating in the program should contact: Career Development Center Project Center, Lower Level (508) 831-5260 coop@wpi.edu www.wpi.edu/+coop