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Cooperative Education: Employer Information

Below you will find some frequently asked questions about the Cooperative Education Program at Seminole State College.

What is cooperative education (co-op)?

Cooperative Education is a unique plan of educational enrichment that is designed to make students' educational programs more relevant and meaningful by integrating formal academic study with practical work experience. Through co-op experiences, students' classroom learning is supported by opportunities to work in jobs directly related to their academic and career goals.

Students may register for up to three co-op credit hours. The number of hours for which a student may register is determined by the number of hours the student is working.

How does co-op work?

There are two methods by which a student may participate in a co-op: the alternating method and the parallel method. The alternating approach rotates the student between periods of full-time employment and full-time schooling. The parallel approach allows the student to work and attend school during the same period of time.

What benefits does cooperative education offer the employer?

Participation in a Cooperative Education Program allows employers to:

• Groom promising new talent to meet future needs.
• Observe and evaluate students' potential.
• Save money by reducing recruitment costs.
• Obtain qualified temporary employees to meet temporary workloads.

How can an employer become involved with a co-op?

• Designate a co-op contact person in your company.
• Decide where co-op students may be used in your organization.
• Develop corresponding job descriptions.
• Register on Seminole State's Career Link and post your internship opportunities.
• Review resumes, interview outstanding candidates and make your hiring choice.

What are participating employers' responsibilities?

• Provide work assignments in line with co-op goals and objectives, as defined in the student's Learning Contract.
• Designate a supervisor who will work with the student(s) to achieve their academic and career goals.
• Complete a one-page mid-term performance evaluation on the co-op student and return it to the Career Development Center.
• Review federal information and comply by labor laws for unpaid internships. For more information, please review the information provided by the U.S. Department of Labor regarding internship programs under The Fair Labor Standards Act.

Who qualifies for a co-op?

Interested students must:

• Complete a minimum of one semester at Seminole State and maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher.
• Have or obtain — with the assistance of the co-op staff — a job related to their academic and career goals.