Welcome to Whidbey Island Campus Cooperative Education

Co-op Coordinator Contact Information
Robin Bridges
Cooperative Education & Learning Into Action
1900 SE Pioneer Way
Oak Harbor, WA 98277

Email: robin.bridges@skagit.edu
Phone: (360) 679-5326
Appointments: (360) 679-5319
Fax: (360) 679-5375

If you are a Mount Vernon student,
please visit the Mount Vernon Cooperative Education Site.

What is Cooperative Education (co-op)?

Co-op is an educational program at Skagit Valley College that helps students apply knowledge and theory gained in the classroom to practical work situations. This is accomplished by the student spending time in an employment or volunteer position within the community that is related to his or her classroom study, and educational and career goals. This process of cooperative education, which combines college level classes with relevant work-based learning experiences, further allows students to explore possible career choices and learn what preparations they need in order to be successfully employed. The student, faculty sponsor, and coordinator work closely together to ensure a successful learning experience. Students should get approval from faculty in respective departments before taking Co-op.  Typically, students take co-op after one year towards their technical degree.

All Whidbey students complete 50 hours total work time per credit. Some supplemental assignments or activities may be included to complete these hours, but these must be approved by the Co-op Coordinator and the Faculty Sponsor before starting.

Whidbey Students are required to contact the Coordinator before Starting Co-op. There are many ways to get started. Students do not need to wait until the beginning of a quarter. There will be no scheduled group meeting for co-op. However, all students must communicate with the Coordinator about how to get started before the end of the first week of any quarter for which he or she is registered. It is best to make an appointment to meet. A department chair or program instructor may arrange a small group meeting with a class to get an overview of how to start Co-op.

Contact Robin Bridges
Student Services Room 100, Old Main
Email: robin.bridges@skagit.edu
Phone: (360) 679-5326
Appointments: (360) 679-5319

It is strongly recommended to that students start finding a co-op site midway through the quarter prior to registering for co-op. Carefully read the information on the Whidbey Campus Co-op website, and then talk to potential Sponsors well before the quarter it is plan to do Co-op, especially if a wage or stipend is desired. Students must have permission from the department chair or instructors in the ATA degree program who is knowledgeable about the student's skills and abilities before starting co-op.

Technical Degrees Each have Specific Co-op Requirements

Please check with your degree plan and/or department chair as to how many credits you should register for. Keep in mind that 50 hours total work time is required per credit so that schedule conflicts are avoided.

To register for Cooperative Education at the Whidbey Island Campus, review the quarterly schedule under Whidbey Island Campus/Cooperative Education/your program ID (Example: ECE 199, OFTEC 199, MT 199, HFT 199 or CIS 199. Use the line number provided.