TECH 3890 Report Guidelines

INSTRUCTIONS:
• Answer all of the following Objective questions included in the report template.
• Each objective response must begin on a new page.
• Leave the Objective Statement at the top of each page, as formatted in the report template.
• Each response should be at least 1 page in length, double spaced. If you answer the question completely, providing insight and examples, the length should take care of itself.

COVER SHEET: This page should include:
• Your Name
• Major
• Level of co-op (TECH 3890)
• Job Title
• Company Name
• Company Address
• Brief Company Description
• A photo of yourself representing your daily activities at your co-op site.
(NOTE: This photo may be used for BGSU promotional purposes.)

OBJECTIVE 1: RESUME
Complete an updated resume. An updated resume including your current co-op position must be submitted with the co-op report. You can find a Sample Resume under the “Documents” link of the Co-op Blackboard page (where you accessed this report).

A resume is required even if you have secured future employment. (e.g., working with the same employer, etc.) Each student is required to have a current resume on file with the Office of Cooperative Education, posted onto your Place Pro account.

Your resume may be an employer’s first impression of you. Be sure your resume represents your best effort.

OBJECTIVE 2: ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Prepare an organizational chart that includes your current position. Hand-written or hand drawn organizational charts will not be accepted. You can find a Sample Organizational Chart under the “Documents” link of the Co-op Blackboard page (where you accessed this report).

Construct a professional looking chart that illustrates formal relationships and job functions and those people responsible for those functions. Some companies do not have an organizational chart. If this is the case, you should discover the relationships mentioned above and create your own.

Small companies are easy to depict. Large companies may be impossible to depict, and may not fit on one page. If you are completing a co-op with a large company, you need only illustrate that department of the organization which you are working. Ask your supervisor or locate company literature (e.g., Annual Stockholders Report, company manual, website, promotional materials) for assistance if needed.

OBJECTIVE 3: RESPONSIBILITIES & ROLES
Describe your responsibilities and the responsibilities of your supervisor and immediate co-workers. This will help you understand how to discover who to talk to when you need to accomplish a task at work, how the company is structured, etc.

Using the organizational chart you completed in Objective 2 as a guide, describe (on a separate page) the responsibilities of the individuals on the chart starting with yourself, then work upward through the ranks explaining the responsibilities of persons in positions above you.

OBJECTIVE 4: JOB DESCRIPTION
Prepare an effective job description. The job description should describe your current co-op position.

Job description should include:
• Job title
• All duties associated with this position, essentially, what you will be doing
• All requirements/skills needed to obtain this position
• Software/computer knowledge necessary
• Hourly rate of pay
• Any other special requirements

Research the current job market, using those methods learned while searching for your co-op positions and find an actual job description that closely matches a position you wish to obtain upon graduation. Include this job description in your report (using the ‘copy-paste’ method). Site the source where you found the job description.

OBJECTIVE 5: PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Describe and provide examples of how your role and responsibilities have increased, when compared to your previous co-op or work experience. Be sure to include your specific role in contributing to the project/task, citing examples in your description and making direct references to concepts learned in your major.

OBJECTIVE 6: PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
What problems (e.g., technical preparation, worker relationship, learning the job, social, etc.) did you encounter while working at your location and how were these problems solved? Provide specific examples.

OBJECTIVE 7: STUDENT DISCOVERIES
Describe what you learned during your co-op experience by answering all questions listed below:
• How will what you learned help you when returning to your coursework at BGSU? Provide 3 examples.
• How will what you learned help you at your next co-op or work experience? Provide 3 examples.
• How will what you learned help you after graduation? Provide 3 examples.

OBJECTIVE 8: STUDENT CHOICE
Choose and respond to one of the following topics:
1. Provide examples and explain your knowledge of your company or organization's history and its place in industry, business or government.
OR
2. How did the work within your department/area contribute to the company? Provide specific examples.

OBJECTIVE 9: ACADEMIC PROGRAM

CONSTRUCTION MAJORS:
• Complete the spreadsheet located under the “Documents” link of the Co-op Blackboard page (where you accessed this report) titled “CONS_Work_Activities_Report”.
• SUBMIT THIS WITH YOUR REPORT: Use the "Add Another File" button when submitting your report. You will see this option when you follow the instructions for submitting your report, just before you click “SUBMIT”.

ALL OTHER MAJORS:
Answer the objective statement below.

Evaluate the academic program and specific courses in relation to your current co-op experience. Upon your evaluation, state your commendations or suggestions for improvements.

This is your chance to help improve individual courses and programs in the College of Technology. Included in this response should be your description of how your previous co-op or work experience prepared you to enter your present co-op. Also, identify and explain the courses that proved to be the most useful in relation to your duties while on co-op.

The dean, department chairs and relevant faculty members will read your comments. Your response to this objective may also be shared with the appropriate industrial advisory committee. In order for improvements to be made to the curriculum, the faculty/administration needs to have your feedback. You should be honest, respectful and constructive in your response.

OBJECTIVE 10: STUDENT IMPROVEMENT
There is always room for improvement. What could you have done to improve your performance? Provide at least 2-3 specific examples.

OBJECTIVE 11: YOUR NEXT CAREER MOVE

IF THIS IS YOUR LAST CO-OP, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVE:
1. Identify the ideal entry-level position you would apply for immediately following graduation. Write job description for this position and explain why you are a qualified candidate.
2. Research the current job market using methods learned while searching for co-op positions and find an actual job description that closely matches a position you wish to secure upon graduation. Include this job description in your report (using the ‘copy-paste’ method). Site the source where you found the job description.

OR

IF YOU HAVE ONE CO-OP REMAINING, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVE:
Please indicate the semester and year that you expect to participate in your remaining co-op and how you plan to search for and obtain this remaining position. Justify how the tasks and responsibilities of your future co-op will increase. Also rank your co-op experience in terms of outstanding, average or poor and provide justifications for your ranking.

OBJECTIVE 12: ASSESSMENT OF CAREER RESOURSES
During both your search for a co-op and your time completing your co-op, you may have used and been exposed to several tools which exist to help take full advantage of your cooperative education experience. These "tools" you have at your disposal include:
• Your resume
• Your cover letter
• Your portfolio (electronic or hard copy)
• Your academic plan (form used to plan which semester you will spend on co-op and which are spent completing coursework)
• Co-op/Job interviews your have had
• Please add additional tools in your response which you feel are important and are not listed here.

The tools listed above are designed to help you progress and develop both professionally and personally. Respond to each of the items listed above, stating how you feel they have or will help you in your future endeavors, and how you plan to continuously improve upon each as time goes on.

For example, in response to "Your resume", write about how you feel your current resume helped you secure your current co-op position, how it could be improved, why a resume is necessary, how accurate it represents who you really are, etc. Take time reflecting on and assessing the tools listed above before you write your response to each.

OBJECTIVE 13: MAJOR-SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE
Respond to the objective listed below that is specific to your major. If your major is not listed, proceed to Objective 14.

CONSTRUCTION MAJORS: Answer the following questions:
• What is your company’s position on safety? Is it effective?
• Is the company top management serious about safety?
• What are the social ramifications of a poor safety program?
• What are the financial implications of a poor safety program?

OBJECTIVE 14: CO-OP EVALUATION
Please respond to the following questions with
1. Ranking (1-4)
1) Strongly Agree
2) Agree
3) Disagree
4) Strongly Disagree
2. Elaboration

QUESTION 1: My co-op search process provided me the opportunity to learn more about my chosen industry and how to secure a beneficial work experience directly related to my major.
1. RANKING:
2. ELABORATION:

QUESTION 2: My co-op supervisor provided me with daily supervision and feedback.
1. RANKING:
2. ELABORATION:

QUESTION 3: The co-op application and registration process was easily navigated.
1. RANKING:
2. ELABORATION:

QUESTION 4: The Blackboard page was a useful tool for submitting my co-op report.
1. RANKING:
2. ELABORATION: