Internship/Co-op FAQs

When should I do an internship/co-op?
Where should I do an internship/co-op?
Will I get academic credit for my experience?
How long does an internship/co-op last?

What’s the difference between an internship and a co-op?

Co-op positions are usually paid and hightly structured in nature. Internships, on the other hand, may be more exploratory. They are often short-term or one-time opportunities and may be unpaid. Today these differences are becoming fuzzier as campuses and employers across the country are developing and refining their own unique brands of experiential education/internship programs. Now the terms "internship" and “co-op” are used almost interchangeably to refer to a real-world work or service experience where students gain practical and/or professional work experience.

Other terms used to describe such general learning experiences include:

Externship and Shadow Programs
These programs provide experiences that allow you to spend between a day and several weeks observing a professional on the job. You gain an overview of various career fields and get a taste of the specifics in the day of a particular professional.

Field Experience/Service Learning/Volunteer Work
These are generally unpaid work or service experiences in the human services or nonprofit sector that run parallel to your regular class schedule. Some programs offer academic credit for such experiences. Contact your academic advisor to find out more.

When Should I Do an Internship/Co-op?

Ideally, most internships/co-ops are done before you graduate.

The junior/senior years are the most desirable for gaining practical, hands-on experience. At this level of your education you have most likely completed some upper-division courses and have more skills to offer the employer. Some employers, however, are willing to start as early as your sophomore year. These early internships will be more exploratory in nature but will offer you the added advantage of doing multiple internships before you graduate.

Some nationally recognized programs have opportunities specifically for graduates. And as a Master’s level candidate, you will often enjoy a competitive advantage in the internship/co-op job market, as you will have some advanced skills in your major.

Where Should I Do an Internship/Co-op?

Many factors should be considered when it comes to deciding where you should do an internship or co-op. Learning how to research employers will help you locate companies that you may be interested in interning for.

Your academic advisor can also refer you to employers in your field of interest. If you are going to do an internship for academic credit, you should check with your academic advisor to determine whether or not there are any restrictions or guidelines concerning employers.

If you are doing an internship for experience only, you may need to assess your personal attributes in order to best determine what kind of learning situation will work for you.

Remember, you can always contact a career consultant to further discuss your options.

Will I Get Academic Credit for My Experience?

The answer to this question varies depending on your major. Only your academic advisor can answer questions about whether you need an internship to graduate and the requirements for obtaining credit for an internship or co-op.

Academic Programs will link you to each major/department where you can find out who your academic advisor is.

How Long Does an Internship/Co-op Last?

Generally the length of an internship or co-op depends upon the employer. Find out ahead of time how long your internship is projected to last.

Internships and co-ops can also involve varieing numbers of hours worked per week:

The Part-Time Plan
Work 20 hours per week in your work assignment while you pursue full-time studies. Parallel assignments usually last one year and often become full-time during the summer period. This plan is great especially if you have to work part-time anyway for financial reasons. This way you obtain practical experience in your major, plus you earn better money than in a typical part-time student job. Part-time positions are filled on a continuous basis.

The Full-Time Plan
Work 40 hours per week in your training assignment for a period of six months. To protect your student status, you either officially step away from your studies for one semester to focus on work projects returning to school the next semester, or enroll in evening classes on a part-time basis while you work. The advantage of the full-time work plan is that you usually assume much more professional responsibility than if you were working part time. Full-time work assignments usually begin in January or June.

The Summer Plan
Work full-time during the summer. This work plan is best if you prefer to have different short-term experiences that expose you to your chosen field.