BGSU College of TechnologyCO-OP Orientation
Your CO-OP, Your Career.
All about CO-OP... What is it? How do you find one? Will I find a job (CO-OP)? Why is it required? What are those requirements?
WHAT ARE YOU ABOUT TO LEARN?
What is a CO-OP?
An “experience course” that puts into practice what you are learning in the classroom.
BGSUCourses
Your CO-OP
Your Dream
Job!+ =
What is a CO-OP?
Your CO-OP courses are:TECH 2890, TECH 3890 & TECH 4890
What is a CO-OP?
(take time to find it on yours)
CO-OP = COURSECan you find the CO-OP courses on the degree check sheet below?
What is a CO-OP?
1. Answers: “Why are you at BGSU?” Can you answer that question now?Your CO-OP helps you figure this out.
2. Forces you into your field, positively.
3. Employers are much more likely to hire someone with a degree AND relative experience. Thanks to your CO-OPs, you have both.
Why does CO-OP matter?
What is a CO-OP?
1. Complete 2-3 co-op courses, depending on your major. (Consult your degree check sheet)
2. Obtain job working 40 hours/week for 1 semester (Spring, Summer or Fall)
3. Job duties must be related to your major.
4. Supervised by employer in-person at all times.
5. No work conducted from your personal residence/ home, all must be at employer's place of business.
6. Cannot be self-employed.
7. Should receive compensation for your employment. An unpaid option exists, but is not preferred.
8. Alternate semesters on co-op with semesters of on-campus course work.
Exceptions to these are next…
REQUIREMENTS
1. Associate or Bachelor’s Degree• Once on your BGSU transcript, substitutes for one CO-OP.• Must be obtained prior to becoming a COT student. • Can not be BGSU COT-related Assoc. degree.
2. Military Experience• Basic Training, Deployment, etc... consult CO-OP Staff.
3. Part-time CO-OP (Only if you can not secure full-time)
• Working 20 hours/week, for 2 consecutive semesters.
4. Credit By Exam (CBE) Qualifications• 12 continuous months of full-time employment (40 hrs/wk).• Job duties were related to major.• Occurred post-high school and pre-BGSU Coll. of Technology
EXCEPTIONS (to the rule)
(Case-by-case basis only and do not apply to most student’s situations.)
Develop professional work habits now. Clarify your area of study:
Are you doing what you want to do? Access to state-of-the-art technology. Opportunity to live/work in different areas,
broadening your perspectives. Up to 1 year’s experience before graduation. Keeps curricula up-to-date with industry. Opportunity to network, leading to jobs.
WHY CO-OP?
* That meets CO-OP requirements.
CO-OP WHERE?
CO-OP LOCATIONSPrevious CO-OP locations in all 50 states and 6 of 7 continents… Which continent has a CO-OP student has never been to?
Securing a CO-OP isultimately your responsibility.
Why? • Teaches you job-search skills such as career
assessment, resume writing and interviewing.• No assigned co-ops, YOU choose location.• Improves job opportunities after graduation by
providing you a valuable contact network of many potential future employers.
• CO-OP staff gives you resources, use them!
It’s up to YOU.
Forget the stereotypes, ~90-95% of all our CO-OPs are PAID.
Over $3,000,000 of student generated co-op wages are earned each year.
Average of over $5,500 in wages earned per student, per semester.
Average hourly wage ~$13.15/hour.
CO-OP INCOME
HOW QUICKLY CAN YOU EARN YOUR DEGREE? It’s up to you…
TIME Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3
YEAR 1 SEM 1 courses courses courses
YEAR 1 SEM 2 courses courses courses
YEAR 1 SEM 3 CO-OP CO-OP courses
YEAR 2 SEM 4 courses courses CO-OP
YEAR 2 SEM 5 courses courses courses
YEAR 2 SEM 6 CO-OP courses courses
YEAR 3 SEM 7 courses CO-OP courses
YEAR 3 SEM 8 courses courses CO-OP
YEAR 3 SEM 9 CO-OP courses courses
YEAR 4 SEM 10 courses CO-OP
YEAR 4 SEM 11 courses courses
YEAR 4 SEM 12 courses
1. Complete Policy & Procedure Statement2. Complete CO-OP Orientation
(you are doing this now)
3. Start search for CO-OP 2 semesters BEFORE.4. Create resume, intro. messages,
and lists of companies to contact.5. Contact companies, get hired.6. Register/Apply for your CO-OP (WorkNet).
Help is available for all steps and situations—contact us.
STUDENT TASKS- BEFORE CO-OP -
1. Complete CO-OP Report. (assignment)2. Follow company policies, work hard.3. Ask questions, create opportunities.4. Network, get to know people.5. Coordinate Site Visit w/ Emp. and BGSU.6. Explore the city/area you are in.7. Notify CO-OP Office of changes.
STUDENT TASKS- DURING CO-OP -
1. Send a thank-you to your employer.2. Keep in touch with those you worked with.3. Reflect, are you in the right career?4. Update your resume.5. Begin to think about and search for your next
CO-OP or full-time job. (whichever applies)6. Consult with your advisor to be sure your
degree completion is on-track.
STUDENT TASKS- AFTER CO-OP -
• CO-OP & Job Searching Techniques (+ WorkNet)• Career & Life Planning/Advice• Resume & Written Communication • Develop lists of companies to contact• Registration of CO-OP course• Job Fairs & Mock Interviews• CO-OP Workshops & Presentations• Employer Spotlights & Social Events• Contact us! (we’re friendly)
[email protected] 372-7581 102 Tech Bldg
CO-OP OFFICE HELP
What is a CO-OP?
We’ve already found CO-OPs for you. FREE online service listing available CO-OPs
(combine this w/ other search methods)
TO ACCESS WorkNet:1. Log-in to your MyBGSU account.
2. On LEFT side, click “WorkNet” link under the “Career Center” header
3. Enter your username and password on the next screen, click “LogIn”
One way to find a CO-OP >>>>>
• Pursue multiple sources, not just one.• Networking: in-person, facebook, Linked-In…• WorkNet (CO-OP Office developed leads)• Professional Associations & Organizations• CO-OP Office follow-up• Internet Searches (e.g. local.yahoo.com)• Help Wanted Ads (newspapers and online)• Chamber of Commerce offices• “Cold Call” Preferred Companies• Many others… come see us for help.
WAYS TO FIND A CO-OP
• Start Searching EARLY. (at least 2 semesters ahead)• Sending a resume is the FIRST step.• When contacting employers, don’t restrict
yourself by searching ONLY for a “CO-OP”. A “normal” job that meets the requirements works.
• Search in different states and countries.• Follow-up with every company contacted
(email or call) 1-2 weeks after initial contact. • Keep options open, don’t sign a lengthy lease.• Create lists, contact companies directly.
SEARCH STRATEGIES
twitter listing
current CO-OPs
available.
bgsu.edu/colleges/technology/coop
Live Chat
CO-OP Countdown
RESOURCES!
(next screen)
Visit our website…
Some of our website resources…
Interactive Map of previous CO-OPs
Interactive Resume Builder
Gallery of Students on-site
Templates for letters, emails and resumes
Videos of past CO-OP events and presentations
What is a CO-OP?
This is different than registering for other courses: Why? To ensure you meet the course requirements and prerequisites.
TO REGISTER YOUR CO-OP: (write this down)
1. Log-in to your WorkNet account2. Under “ADDITIONAL RESOURCES”, click
“Register Your Experiential Learning HERE”3. Click the “Add New” button4. Read instructions. 5. In pull-down menu “Experiential Learning Type:”
choose “Internship/Co-op”6. Fill-in your CO-OP details accordingly,
when complete, click “Save”
REGISTER YOUR CO-OPYou MUST register your CO-OP, or you won’t
receive credit for it.
“I don’t have enough experience yet.”Not true, basic exp. is good, learn more at CO-OP.
“I can’t CO-OP far away, it’s too expensive.”If you pay for apt. in BG, why not somewhere else?
“I’m trapped in a lease, I can’t CO-OP there.”Plan ahead, don’t trap yourself.
“I can’t CO-OP until I’m a Junior.”Many employers ask for Freshman & Sophomores
“I don’t know what I want to do yet.”Use your CO-OP to help you explore your career!
No Debbie-Downers…No Excuses. You can find a
great CO-OP.
• 1968: CO-OP program founded.
• Nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council for Cooperative Education.(1 of only 12 in the U.S.)
• 20,000+ CO-OPs completed to date.
• Average Job Placement rate upon graduation ~ 85%. (Nat. Av. is 25%)
OUR HISTORY
• Plan ahead. Begin searching 2 semesters early.• MUST REGISTER TO RECEIVE CREDIT (WorkNet)• If you have a question, ask, we’re happy to help.• View your CO-OP as an opportunity.• YOU get out of what YOU put into your CO-OP.• CO-OP anywhere in the world!• Easier to get hired as a CO-OP than full-time.• Use CO-OP office resources to help.
SUMMARY
YOUR BGSU EMAIL IS THE OFFICIAL METHOD OF CONTACT
Check your BGSU email DAILY.
Technology Building, Room 102
BGSU, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403-0306
Phone: 419-372-7581
E-mail: [email protected]
bgsu.edu/colleges/technology/coop
Nationally Accredited by theAccreditation Council for Cooperative
Education
CONTACT
BGSU College of TechnologyCO-OP Orientation
Your CO-OP, Your Career.
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