The Great Advantage of Co-op Programs
Are you looking for a program that offers more than just studying, studying, and studying? Something that can secure you a better placement when you graduate, especially in these economic times? Well, start thinking about co-op!
A
recent article by Mary Chapman talks about why co-operative
education is a great options for students. According to Paul
Stonely, president of the National Commission for Cooperative
Education, employers are "increasingly see that hiring a co-op
graduate is a good strategy, since they know they are getting
someone with experience".
The article reveals interesting statistics: across the US, "95
percent of co-op students that participate in co-operative
education have a job when they graduate, according to the
commission. More than 60 percent accept permanent jobs from the
employers for whom they worked while in school".
Bottom line here: co-op students get
placements.
Why? And what's this all about?
Co-op
programs are "programs that combine college classes with jobs in
related fields". They can work in a variety of ways, ranging from
securing summer internships to helping find full-time, paid
employment for an entire semester. Yes, you can earn money while
you're on co-op. Co-op programs take a lot of effort from students,
but in return they provide valuable real work experience.
Employers find that hiring co-op students is beneficial, since
they're paid less than part time workers, have the most up-to-date
knowledge right from school, and they don't receive health
insurance or benefits. Employers are also more likely to offer
permanent jobs to their co-op students upon graduation, since they
already know whether or not the student is a good worker, and they
wouldn't have to spend any money or efforts on expensive training.
Employers are also far more likely to choose a candidate who
already has work experience than a recent graduate with no
experience, which gives co-op students a major advantage.
As well, some of the co-op programs can count towards other goals.
For example, co-op work may count as work experience towards an
accounting or an engineering certification. As well, this work
experience can count towards the requirements for an MBA, which offers a great fast-track path towards a
master's degree.
Co-op is something to consider!
You can read the whole article here.
And you can also apply to great co-op programs on LearnHub! For example:- The International Business EMBA Work Study Experience program; or
- The Management of Information Technology EMBA Work Study Experience program at Schiller International University, Florida.
Co-op Gets You The Job!
Picture Credits:
A real co-op students, Krista. Photo probably taken by Carsten or
Libin, I can't remember.
Post Comments
oLahav said – Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:58:42 -0000 ( Flag Edit Link )
This depends on which country you’re going to. In the US, I’m pretty sure you need a certain visa or work permit to be able to work off-campus, but you’re allowed to work on campus in some cases. In the UK you can work up to 20 hours a week with a regular student visa. Different countries have different procedures, it’s a good idea to check before you go.
co-op programs usually don’t require any additional visa or permit, your student visa alone should suffice to allow you to work when you’re in a work/study academic program. This again depends on the specific program, school and country.