2133 Sheridan Road, Ford Engineering Design Center

Main Phone: 847-491-3366

www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/co-op

Programs

Walter P. Murphy Cooperative Engineering Education Engineering Internship Program

Engineering Projects in Service LearningUndergraduate Engineering Research Experience

Objectives• Learn more about our programs• Introduction to Co-op and Internships

• Timeline• Student Agreement• PlacePro and next steps

About the Program• Program provides an advisor to work with you in all aspects of your

participation in the program

– Deciding about Co-op or Internship

– Preparing your application materials (resume & cover letters)

– Researching companies and job search strategies

– Interviewing preparation

– Monitoring your progress with your employer

– Future career planning based upon your Co-op / Internship experience

About the ProgramYour Advisors:

– Thy Nguyen, Associate Director – Advises computer science, computer, electrical, mechanical

– Melina Barona, Assistant Director – Advises biomedical, chemical, materials science

– Helen Oloroso, Assistant Dean and Director – Advises civil, environmental

– Stephen Tilley, Assistant Director – Advises chemical, applied math, MaDE

About the Program

Administrative Staff:

- Michelle Bledsoe, Employer Coordinator

- Bradley Baker, Student Coordinator

About Co-op• Walter P. Murphy gave Northwestern $36,000,000 to fund a school

of engineering and to require Co-op as a part of his gift

• At Northwestern, Co-op is an educational (not job) program which allows students in engineering to alternate periods of academic study with periods of full-time paid work experience related to their academic and professional goals

Guidelines and Requirements• A minimum of 12 months (four quarters) of work with the same

employer • Schedule should have at least one SIX MONTH (two quarter)

work term, in order to provide a more in-depth experience for the student and greater productivity for the employer

• The schedule must alternate terms of work and school in approximately equal intervals

4. For International Students (F-1 visa status), the Co-op Program is recognized at NU as Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

About Co-op

About Internships• Defined as a single work term • Directly related to student’s major/career goals• Typically during the summer but students may participate during

ANY quarter of the year• For International Students (F-1 visa status), the Engineering

Internship Program is recognized at NU as Curricular Practical Training (CPT)

Why Co-op or Intern?• With Co-op and Internships you get:

– Practical in-depth work experience

– Apply what you learn while working in your field

– Opportunity for career exploration and development

– Experience going through a job search process

– Opportunity to be more competitive in the job search

– Networking

– Co-op certificate at time of graduation (Co-op only)

Why Co-op or Intern?• Differences between a co-op and internship:

– Internships usually take place during the summer– May be paid or unpaid– Level of involvement in project depends upon length of internship– Graduate in four years

– Co-op is structured and supervised academic work lasting multiple quarters– Always paid– Projects and assignments are more involved because you are working for the

same employer

– By graduation, you will have 12-18 months of full-time engineering experience

Co-op Grant Information• Co-op students do not pay tuition or fees for quarters working on Co-op or

internship

• Tuition Grant Program in 5th Year

• Co-op Grant Details

– Successfully complete 4 quarters of Co-op with employer

– Receive one quarter of Co-op Grant for each Co-op quarter that took place during a prior academic quarter

– Summer Co-op quarters do NOT count toward earning Co-p Grant during the fifth year

Traditional ScheduleFALL WINTER SPRING SUMMER

Mid Sept toMid-End Dec.

Jan 2 toMid March

Mid March toMid June

Mid June toMid Sept.

FRESHMANYEAR

School School School INTERNSHIP

SOPHOMOREYEAR

School School School CO-OP

JUNIORYEAR

School SchoolCO-OP (TWO-QUARTER TERM)*Evaluations due EACH quarter

PRE-SENIORYEAR

School CO-OP School CO-OP

SENIORYEAR

CO-OP School (Graduation)

*All academic departments have developed courses around the Traditional Co-op Schedule. However, students may develop a unique schedule with the help of their faculty advisor and Co-op employer.

• Attend Mandatory Orientation Seminar

• Understand Policies and Procedures

• Open PlacePro Account

5. Completed Program

5. Completed Program4. Active4. Active3. Available3. Available2. Interested2. Interested1. Potential 1. Potential

Timing

Activities

Deliverables

• Initial Meeting with Career Development Adviser

• Review/Sign Student Agreement Form

• Resume Review and Revisions

• Final Resume and Approval

• Prepare to research companies

Resume Approval and Cover Letter Review

• Released on PlacePro• Research and Apply to

Companies• Network• Interview• Receive and Evaluate

Offer(s)

Receive & Evaluate Offer(s)

• Transition into Work Environment

• Adjusting to work schedule

• Schedule Changes via petition (co-op only)

Co-op and Internship Evaluations

• Exit Interview (Co-op only)

• Preparation for FT job search and graduation

Exit Interview and Evaluations

Not Working Not Working Not Working

“Released”

Working Working

About Our Employers

• Our Employers: regional, national and international in scope

• Employers represent a number of industries and sectors

• Focus of our program is on Engineering Co-op and Internships

Student Agreement Form

• Keep your PlacePro account current• Once you accept an offer, notify our office immediately• Develop your degree plan (if working during academic quarter)• Inform our office of all work term conditions and changes• Set up quarterly reviews with your advisor• You are expected to participate in an evaluation process

About PlacePro

• Secure database used by MCD to maintain student and employer information

• Important to keep your information updated

PlacePro Tips• www.placepro.com

– Access code: nucoopstud (in the PlacePro section of your handbook)

• Login is your first initial, last name and the last 5 digits of your student ID number

• You do not initially have a password

• GPA = 0.0

• Fill out all demographics information under My Profile

• ALWAYS use the following summer for Job Preferences, ie use Su 10

• Try to limit Majors to 1 if possible.

Next Steps

• Set up your PlacePro Account (homework assignment)

• Schedule an appointment with your advisor

– Call Bradley Baker at 847-491-3366 to schedule this appointment

– Appointments can NOT be made via email

• Upcoming Events:

• Visit co-op.mccormick.northwestern.edu and click on current students then workshops for up to date information about upcoming events.