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Career experience documented on a student's academic transcript leads to:
- 3 to 4 more job interviews.
- 2 to 3 more job offers.
- 7 to 10% higher starting salary.

Facts Provided By
The Pennsylvania State University

Checklist

Prior To Beginning Your Work Assignment

  1. After accepting a job offer, immediately notify the Cooperative Education & Professional Internship Program so you can be removed from the list of active candidates. Be sure also to inform other employers who have expressed interest that you have accepted another position, and thank them for their consideration. An accepted offer is a contractual agreement that is expected to be honored by both parties, so it is inappropriate to continue negotiations with other employers.
  2. Meet with the Co-op and/or Professional Internship Coordinator for your major. Discuss your planned employment rotation and how it will affect your course scheduling. Develop a long-range plan for your schedule.
  3. Attend the mandatory Pre-Employment Seminar (for either co-op or internship) near the end of the semester prior to the start of your work assignment. This seminar will cover the basics of the Co-op & Internship Program and provide you with the necessary paperwork you need to complete to let the Co-op & Internship Program staff know about your planned schedule of work and school and your contact information at your work assignment.
  4. The Co-op & Internship Program staff will register you for ENGR 295A or -I, 395A or -I or 495A or -I (for a co-op) or ENGR 195A or -I (for an internship) during each semester you are working, including the summer semester, if applicable. If you are a graduate student, you must plan to register for ENGR595A or -I while you are working. The Co-op & Internship Supplement Sheet will give our office the necessary information to register you for the appropriate course. Formal registration and payment of all fees prior to the start of the work semester are firm requirements of the Co-op & Internship Program.

During Your Work Assignment

  1. The Work Period Registration Form is online. Required links and your username/password will be e-mailed to you at your work site. You must complete the form within the first three weeks of your working semester.
  2. Complete the Mid-Point Student Evaluation of your company online and have your supervisor complete the Mid-Point Supervisor Evaluation of your performance (see Online Forms for more information).
  3. You will be registered for a minimum of one co-op or internship credit while you are on your work assignment.
  4. Penn State still considers you a full-time student while you are on your work assignment; therefore, you are still eligible to live in Penn State housing, your student loans continue to be deferred, and you are usually still eligible for parental health insurance coverage. Please let the Co-op & Internship staff know as soon as possible if any problems arise with your campus housing, financial aid, or health insurance—if needed, we can provide you with official documentation of your participation in our program.
  5. Since you are a full-time Penn State student while participating in the Co-op & Internship Program, you retain access to your Penn State e-mail account and all other resources that you would normally have as a student.

At The End Of Your Work Assignment

  1. Complete the required work report for your program per the guidelines supplied at the Pre-Employment Seminar, in your Student Handbook, and on our Web site.
  2. Complete your evaluation of the company and have your supervisor complete his or her evaluation of you (see Online Forms for more information).
  3. Make three (3) copies of your work report. Send the original and one copy of the report to the Co-op & Internship Program office. Keep one copy of the report and evaluation for yourself.