Cooperative Education Students are responsible for finding their own work placements.

The skills needed to find your Co-op Ed job site are the same as those you will need to secure a paying employment position when you are ready to begin your new or next career. The Skagit Valley College Career Services Team is ready to provide you with tools and assistance to find your work placement. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Talk to your faculty: They have many contacts in the business community and can often provide you with great ideas and suggestions to find a place to work.

Find a company you'd like to work for: Check the yellow pages and ask other students, friends or associates to suggest good places for you to learn your trade. Once you find an organization you'd like to work for, contact them for an informational interview. Tell them you are a college student looking for a chance to demonstrate and fine-tune some classroom skills in a real-world work setting. Ask for an interview to discuss how you might be able to work as an intern, exchanging your skills and knowledge to help their business for college credits needed to complete your degree or certificate.

Register in SVC’s Online Job Board: Many Skagit Valley companies use this system to post paid and unpaid job openings.

Talk to the Cooperative Education Coordinator: He can provide you with help in your job-search techniques, offer advice and possibly refer you to a company seeking interns in your career area.

Since finding your job site is your responsibility, begin the process as early as possible and keep accurate lists of contacts, references and referrals. And share them with your fellow students!