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cooperative education for employers


 

Cooperative Education In today's job market recruiting, hiring , and training the best candidates is critical to the success of your organization. One of the best ways to recruit and train talented and soon-to-be college graduates is through the Co-op Program.

A co-op is a win-win situation for the employer and the student. It allows you the opportunity to screen students as potential employees over  a period of time. It is an effective way of determining whether the student will be a good fit for your company prior to offering them a full-time position.

 

 


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

How can the Co-op Program benefit my company?

  • Cost effective recruitment
  • Flexibility - part-time, full-time
  • Creates a resource of trained personnel
  • Campus visibility - increase your company's visibility on our campu

 

What are the requirements for participation?

  • Provide a meaningful work experience
  • Provide training and supervision
  • Complete a brief evaluation form at the end of the co-op period

 

What are the costs?

  • You determine the salary to pay the student participating in the Co-op Program.
  • You pay the student directly.
  • There is no fee for the employer to participate in the program.

 

Does my company pay a fee to use SCSU's Co-op Program?

  • No, there is no fee to hire a student from Southern Connecticut State University's Co-op Program

 

What are the requirements for students to participate in the Co-op Program?

  • Matriculated undergraduate student
  • Junior or senior status
  • Minimum 2.0 overall GPA, although employers may set a higher GPA requirement
  • The Co-op experience must be either directly related to the major of the student or to what they hope to do once they graduate.

Do students have to work full-time?

  • No, students are able to work part-time or full-time depending upon the needs of the employer and the student.

 

How long do I employ a Co-op student?

  • In their junior or senior year, students may spend a semester, a summer,  or a six-month period working full-time or part-time. Students earn academic credit based upon the number of hours worked, one credit equals 50 hours of work.

 

How much do the students earn?

  • Students must earn at least minimum wage. However, the hourly rate is based upon the job duties and skills required.

 

Where do I post the opportunity?

  • Opportunities may be posted on our online job board, JOBSs (Job Opportunities Benefiting Southern students), at www.careers.southernct.edu. Please note that posting full-time, part-time coop/internships positions is a FREE service providing it is a NACElink, DirectEmployers Association and Symplicity Corporation non multi-schoolposting.

 

Where do I interview the students?

  • You may interview students at your site or we will be happy to arrange for you to interview them on-campus.

 

Is there any paperwork to fill out?

  • When hiring a student we ask that you provide an employment verification letter. The letter must be on company letterhead and must include the following information: start date, position title, number of weekly working hours, hourly rate of pay (or salary), and a brief job description.
  • A brief evaluation form of the student's work performance is to be completed by the student's immediate supervisor at the end of each semester of work.


 

Who do I contact for further information?

Patricia K. Whelan

203 392-6536          

Director of Cooperative Education

Whelanp1@southernct.edu