Cooperative Education programs provide substantial benefits to the student, the employer, the school, and the community.

To The Student

• The actual work experience helps the student determine whether or not he/she wants to continue in the chosen career early enough to choose another career.
• Allows the student to gain actual experience in the career in an environment different from the classroom.
• Enhances the student’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Enables a student to pay a portion of his/her college expenses.
• Allows the student to contribute to the economy.
• Gives the student a competitive edge for full-time employment after graduation.
• Promotes maturity and the development of interpersonal skills.
• Provides an opportunity for the student to work with state-of-the-art equipment and use the most current procedures.

To The Employer

• Provides a motivated workforce.
• Provides an opportunity to train potential employees.
• Provides full-time or part-time employees.
• Provides an opportunity for the employer to influence the college program.
• Provides a reduction of costs in recruitment and training.
• Provides a source of performance appraisal for the student and for the school.

To The School

• Provides an interchange between the college and the business community and an opportunity to utilize community resources to expand the curriculum.
• Provides a means of evaluating the effectiveness of the curriculum.
• Provides an opportunity for instructors to keep informed of constantly changing business/industry procedures and practices.
• Allows for immediate program success feedback.
• Recruits new students.

To The Community

• Provides a source of college-educated workers.
• Increases rapport between the college and the community.
• Increases student’s sense of citizenship and community responsibility.
• Increases the likelihood that the student will become a part of the community’s industrial base.
• Provides preparatory training for management, professional, and technical employment.
• Increases the economic base of the community.

1. The first step is to complete the Co-Op application. Applying for a Co-Op is an option for all currently enrolled Calhoun students.
2. Upon receiving your complete application, the Career Services Department will review your application and ensure that you meet the minimum requirements. You will then be added to the applicant pool and your application will be submitted to Co-Op postings for which you are a match.
3. Completing the Co-Op application does not guarantee that you will be placed into a Co-Op. There are many factors that influence placement which vary based on the hiring company and Co-Op position.

No, students do not have to be enrolled full-time; however, they must be a currently enrolled Calhoun student when placed into a Co-Op. Students must meet the 20-hour requirement each week to remain in the Co-Op program.

No, existing jobs may not be considered for a Co-Op. Each employer must be approved by the Career Services department, and each applicant must follow the proper procedure to meet the requirements to be placed by the department.

It varies. Different companies have different timelines for hiring, and just as with any job, the process can take a very short amount of time or a comparatively longer time.

We submit applicants who meet the requirements to all Co-Op postings that they are qualified for. Employers receive students’ resumes and teacher recommendation forms (if needed) and sometimes they also request the students’ applications. The very best ways to increase your chances of being selected for a Co-Op are to write the best resume you can, to keep your application materials up to date (the Career Services Department will occasionally request updates via email), and to be the kind of student that instructors write great letters of recommendation for. It is also crucial that you behave professionally in all of your interactions and correspondence with employers and the Co-Op department.

Absolutely. Keep in mind that if you limit your acceptable companies, you are narrowing the number of Co-Op positions we can submit your application to. This may make it more difficult for you to secure a Co-Op position. We cannot guarantee a Co-Op position, nor can we guarantee a position with a particular company.

A minimum of 20 hours a week must be worked to remain in a Co-Op. Students are required to complete a timesheet to validate these hours. Grades for the Co-Op course are based in part on completing requirements such as the timesheet.

While an instructor evaluation is not required to apply to the Co-Op program, some companies may elect to have that as part of their hiring process. Always be prepared with an instructor’s email in the event this is requested.

A minimum of a 2.5 GPA is required to be eligible for a Co-Op program, and a student must maintain a 2.5 or higher in order to stay in their Co-Op program. Sometimes, an employer will post higher GPA requirements.

Yes! Please check with the financial aid department if you have any questions about your financial aid status.

There is no fee to apply to the program; however, students must be currently enrolled at Calhoun to receive a Co-Op and must pay the $194 (subject to change; based on current tuition and fee schedule) Co-op class fee when accepting a position.

Yes, the Co-Op class credit is included on a student’s transcript. Course credit options are available based on a student’s major and Co-Op course availability. Enrolled students receive a grade that is based on feedback from an employer evaluation and other related assignments, such as submitting timesheets.

Students selected for a Co-Op must complete the entire semester in that position. If students wish to end their Co-Op position, they must finish the semester and give their employer a 2-week notice. If a student terminates a co-op position, they may jeopardize their ability to participate in the co-op program in the future. Students who are currently enrolled in a Co-Op program are not considered for another position until they have completed their current semester and approved to re-enter the applicant pool. Co-Op students are allowed to work multiple semesters at the same Co-Op as long as they continue to meet all requirements and the employer wishes to continue their employment.

A job is not guaranteed from a Co-Op; however, if students are successful with their Co-Op position, they are more likely to receive an offer.

Once a student is employed in a Co-Op position, they will be enrolled in a Co-Op class by our career services staff each semester. This class will be included on the student’s transcript along with a grade for the class. The course is held completely online and includes timesheet submissions, a supervisor evaluation, and employability assignments. We require all first time Co-Op students to meet with career services at the start of their first semester to go over Co-Op expectations and the course syllabus.

Co-Op students who continue in a Co-Op position will remain in the Co-Op course until graduation–even if offered full-time employment. This is to ensure students successfully complete their degree.