Benefits of a Coop or Internship:

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Benefits of a Co-op or Internship

• Hands-on Experience for
• A Head Start on Your Career

Fall 2009
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Michigan Tech Career Center Partners
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Michigan Tech Career Center Partners
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Co-op or Internship?

• Co-ops
• A full semester in length
• Paid
• Worth academic credit
• Career-related, hands-on experience

• Internships
• Usually summers only
• Sometimes paid
• No academic credit
• May not be directly related to career

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What Is a Co-op?

• Academic program
• Undergrad (UN3002)1 or 2 credits
• Graduate (UN5000)1 to 6 credits
• Gain paid, career-related experience

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Your responsibilities on Co-op

• Evaluated by your work supervisor
• You evaluate the employer experience
• Write a technical report
• Receive a grade from academic department

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To Participate in a Co-op

• Undergraduates
• Good social academic standing (2.2 GPA) in
  addition to the following
• Must have completed freshman year (29 credits)
• International students must have completed 2
  consecutive semesters in the U.S.
• Transfer students must have completed one
  semester at MTU

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To Participate in a Co-op

• Graduates
• 3.0 GPA or higher
• Completing one semester at Tech
• Permission of academic advisor
• Obtain authorization from IPS if appropriate

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Benefits of a Co-op or Internship

• Valuable career-related experience
• Job-search skills
• Professional development
• Apply studies to real world problems
• Excellent wages
• 2007-2008 sophomores 16.00/hour
• juniors 17.00/hour
• Full-time job opportunities
• Higher starting salary potential
• Employers expect to see on resume

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Registration Benefits

• Active, full-time student
• NOTE
• Financial Aid will NOT cover co-op credits in
  most cases
• Maintain health insurance under parent/guardian
• Student Loan deferment

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Disadvantages of a Co-op

• 4 1/2 to 5 years to complete degree
• Additional costs wardrobe, car, housing
• Social disruption
• Housing contracts

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Obtaining A Co-op

• Get resume/interview assistance at the Career
  Center
• Upload your resume and cover letter, and search
  for co-op opportunities on NACElink
• Apply to opportunities
• Interview with companies at MTU, or make your own
  contacts

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Companies Hiring MTU Students 70 Companies
Seeking Co-ops Fall 2009 Fair98 Companies
Seeking Internships

• Polaris Industries
• Dow Chemical Co.
• G.E. Aviation
• Greenheck Fan
• Bemis Company
• Union Pacific
• Kiewit
• 3M

• Integrys Energy Group
• BAE Systems
• Ford Motor Co.
• Bechtel
• Harley-Davidson
• Kimberly-Clark
• Nucor Steel
• Jackson National Life

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For More Information

• Visit the Co-op web pages at
• http//www.career.mtu.edu/coop.php
• Learn more about
• Co-op checklist and process for registering
• Responsibilities during your co-op
• Responsibilities after your co-op