Coop-Ed Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IF I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK FOR A COOPERATIVE EDUCATION WORK SITE?
Answer: There are many resources to help you find a work site. Your first stop should be the Counseling & Career Center. Often, the Cooperative Education Coordinator can give you good leads or suggestions for finding a Co-op Ed placement. Career Services can also help. They maintain the Online Job Board, where local employers post internship positions available. They also a manage the job board in the hallway leading to the Counseling & Career Center. Your faculty often can suggest community connections for you to explore as a possible Co-op Ed site. You will also want to speak to the Employment Specialist located in the Career Resource Center about finding a job or internship.
I AM ALREADY WORKING. IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE MY CURRENT JOB FOR THE WORK-BASED LEARNING REQUIREMENT?
Answer: Yes, you may use your current job, IF it relates directly to your degree or certificate program. Examples: an Early Childhood Education (ECE) student working in a daycare center or a Computer Information Systems (CIS) student who repairs computers for a school district. The only thing we ask in these situations is that when you develop your Learning Objective, be sure to challenge yourself to apply new skills or learn new procedures as part of your work-based learning experience. Be sure to seek out the SVC Co-op Ed Coordinator if you plan on using an exisiting job for your Co-op Ed experience.
WHEN SHOULD I REGISTER FOR COOPERATIVE EDUCATION?
Answer: Most students complete Cooperative Education in their second year of study, or at least after a few quarters. You must always consult with your faculty advisor before beginning your Co-op Ed experience. When you have your faculty's approval, you may register for Cooperative Education as soon registration begins for any classes for the next quarter. You may register as late as the second week after the quarter begins. You may register on-line. On-line registration requires an entry code number that can be obtained from your faculty advisor or the Cooperative Education Coordinator.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO DO BESIDES REGISTER AND FIND A WORKSITE?
Answer: Yes. All first-time Cooperative Education students must complete an orientation session, either on-campus or on-line. You may choose any one of several "live" sessions offered on-campus. The times and locations are listed in the Course Syllabus. At the "live" orientation session, the Cooperative Education Coordinator will review the Course Syllabus and answer questions. The Coordinator will also provides tips and suggestions to help you make your Co-op Ed experience worthwhile and successful. If you cannot attend one of the orientation sessions, you may complete your orientation online. At the end of the online orientation, you'll be asked to send a confirmation email to the Coordinator. You may also contact the Cooperative Education Coordinator to schedule an individual orientation.
I QUALIFY FOR WORK-STUDY. IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO COOPERATIVE EDUCATION AND WORK-STUDY IN THE SAME JOB?
Answer: Yes, as long as the Financial Aid Office says you're approved. The main difference between Cooperative Education and Work-Study is that Co-op Ed enables a student to receive college credits for work, while the Work-Study program provides extra money for college. In addition, there are restrictions on the number of hours you can work for each program so be sure to talk with the Cooperative Education Coordinator if you desire to combine the two. The two programs are similar in that the work you perform must match your degree or chosen career field.
HOW MANY CREDITS OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATION MUST I TAKE?
Answer: The general requirement indicates a range of 1-15. Each Professional/Technical program has different requirements for degree completion. The minimum number of credits currently required for each program is as follows:
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE: 1; AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY: 1; BUILDING CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING: 1; BUSINESS MANAGEMENT: 10; CULINARY ARTS: 5; COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS: 4; DIESEL POWER TECHNOLOGY: 3; EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: 4; ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION: 6; FIRE PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY: 3; HUMAN SERVICES: 15; MULTIMEDIA & INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY: 1; OFFICE ADMINISTRATION & ACCOUNTING TECHNOLOGIES: 1; PARALEGAL: 2; WELDING TECHNOLOGY: 1.
Contact your faculty advisor to determine how many credits you should take for any particular quarter.
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION IS THE ONLY CLASS I'M TAKING THIS QUARTER. IS IT POSSIBLE TO TAKE A LOT OF CREDITS (MORE THAN 5) OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATION AT ONCE?
Answer: Yes, it IS possible, with permission from your faculty advisor, but taking more than five credits of Co-op Ed is extremely challenging, and many students underestimate the impact of the increased amount of work hours and written assignments comes with a large number of credits. Before signing on to more than five credits, be sure to discuss it with your faculty and Co-op Coordinator.
CAN I COMPLETE MY COOPERATIVE EDUCATION DURING THE SUMMER?
Answer: Yes, Co-op Ed is available year-round. Since most faculty are away during the summer, it would be wise to get the required faculty approval during the Spring Quarter in you intend to work during the summer.
IF I NEED TWO OR MORE CO-OP CREDITS FOR MY DEGREE, MAY I SPLIT THEM BETWEEN QUARTERS?
Answer: Yes, if your faculty approves. In fact, this approach is often recommended by former students in order to increase your exposure to one long-term project or to work at two or more organizations for a real-world comparison. Please keep in mind that each quarter you take Co-op Ed, you will need to complete all the written assignments and required forms. You do NOT have to repeat the online seminar though, if you have already completed it. See the Co-op Ed Coordinator for more details.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 50 HR/CREDIT OPTION AND THE 30 HR/CREDIT OPTION?
Answer: Most students can choose between the two options for earning Cooperative Education credits. Credit for Co-op Ed is awarded based on the number of hours you work during the academic quarter. In the 50 Hr/Credit option, you must put in 50 hours of work at the job site for each credit you are taking for Co-op Ed. You do NOT have to particpate in the Weekly Online Seminar but will be required to turn in a mid term paper as part of your reflective writing component. In the 30 hr/credit option, you will be required to participate in the Weekly Online Seminar conducted via the school's Blackboard Learning System. Students must log in a couple of times per week and respond to the discussion questions posted by the Co-op Coordinator. How much time the seminar takes is dependent upon your keyboard skills and your ability to articulate your responses into writing.
WHAT ASSIGNMENTS WILL I BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE IN ADDITION TO WORKING AT THE JOB SITE?
Answer: The Learning Contract and Learning Objectives Worksheet are the first two assignments due. They must be completed and turned in within 10 days of the start of the quarter unless other arrangments are made with the Co-op Ed Coordinator. You'll also be asked to register in the Online Job Board. The Course Syllabus has more information of the benefits of registering and the procedure to complete your profile. Students opting for the 50 hours/credit option must turn in a mid-term paper. Students in the 30 hours/credit option must participate in the online weekly seminar. The following assignments must be turned in during the last week of the quarter: Supervisor Evaluation, Student Self Evaluation, Time Sheet and Final Summary Paper.Online Job Board
Click on the link below to go to the Online Job Board welcome page. Once there, you will find links for Students; Employers and Career Network Contacts. Co-op Ed students who are not already registered should click on the Students link which will take you to the Login/Registration site. Click on "Click here to register" and fill in your profile information to complete the registration process.
If you have any questions about the Online Job Board, contact the Co-op Ed Coordinator at (360) 416-7684.