Cooperative Education Whidbey Island Campus

Whidbey Island Campus CO-OP Coordinator

Robin Bridges
Cooperative Education & Learning Into Action
Coordinator/Academic Advisor
1900 SE Pioneer Way
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
Phone: (360) 679-5326
Fax: (360) 679-5375
robin.bridges@skagit.edu  

Office hours are typically:

First week of the Quarter: Drop-ins all week.

Mondays- Drop-in times 12:30pm to 2:00pm and 3:00pm-6:00pm

Tuesdays and Wednesdays- 10:00am to 11:30am

Thursdays 12:00pm to 2:00pm

Friday by appointment (earliest appointment is 8:00am)

These hours are subject to minor changes throughout the quarter, so it is best to call the Student Services office at 360-679-5319

Co-op Overview

Co-op is an educational program at Skagit Valley College that helps students to apply knowledge and theory gained in the classroom to a hands-on experience in a workplace setting. This is accomplished by the student spending time in an employment or volunteer position within the community that is related to his or her program of study.

The student, faculty sponsor, and Co-op coordinator work closely together to ensure a successful learning experience. Students should get approval from faculty in respective departments before taking Co-op.

How to Start

Students must begin finding a site during the quarter previous to the one in which it will be completed. Registration will not be permitted until the student has demonstrated that they have read and followed the Co-op directions for starting. (Example: Start finding a site in Fall Quarter if registering for Winter Quarter Co-op)

Instructions for how to start and complete Co-op are found at the Syllabus and Forms page on the sidebar

Completion of the following two documents is required in order to receive permission from the CO-OP Coordinator to register. These are found in the Syllabus and Forms page

  • The Applied Learning Contract 
  • Co-op Quiz

CO-OP Work sites
Students are responsible for locating a business, agency, or organization, on-campus or off, that is able to provide an experience that meets learning objectives related to program coursework. Students should email or visit the Co-op Coordinator if they need assistance finding a site to work on a project or activity related to the student's program of study.  

The Whidbey CO-OP Coordinator has a list of previous sponsors who are willing to sponsor students again.

1.     A part time job or full time job may be used to earn credit if new activities related to the degree or certificate are performed.

2.     On-campus departments may be able to use student assistance that could be used for Co-op credit

3.     Faculty Sponsors can also assist in finding a suitable site to fulfill CO-OP requirements.

4.     The on-line job board may list local opportunities (Cardinal Career Connect). Log on here to create an account and search for opportunities: https://www.myinterfase.com/skagit/student/home.aspx

 

Co-op Registration

Registration for Co-op starts February 8 for those with enough earned credits.
Students choosing to do their Co-op Spring Quarter must read the directions in the Syllabus and Forms link before being given permission to register.