STEP ONE:
As a student enters the College of Technology, each student completes and signs the Cooperative Education Policy and Procedure Statements which outlines all of the rules and regulations of the Cooperative Education Program for each student.

STEP TWO:
Included on the Cooperative Education Policy and Procedure Statement is the "pattern of alternation" at the bottom of the form. The student will select a co-op pattern of alternation, all plans ending with your last semester on campus. This pattern of alternation helps to provide the student an idea when they plan on completing their semesters of coursework and their semester on co-op. It is necessary to average 16 credit hours per semester to complete a degree in seven on-campus semesters and three off-campus (co-op) semesters (4 calendar years).

STEP THREE:
The student should then develop a resume, have it reviewed and approved by the Technology Co-op Office and post their resume to their PlacePro account. This allows our office to contact employers on behalf of students should a co-op search warrant this action. Having a current resume on file allows our office to help the students search more effectively for a co-op position.

STEP FOUR:
The student must also attend the Co-op Workshop. Completing the workshop can be easily done online and must be completed before the start of the student's first co-op, TECH 289.

STEP FIVE:
Co-op preparation process:

• Self assessment. What would you want to do as a career? What do you like to do? What do you see as your "dream job"? Your first co-op is the start to your professional career, make it count!

• Research your ideal position. Develop a research log to keep track of your co-op searching activities. Find companies whose goals meet your own visions.

STEP SIX:
Begin your co-op search using the How to Find a Co-op page on this website, Place Pro, Co-op Office, Friends, family, faculty, other students, Internet, phone book, Chambers of Commerce, etc.

STEP SEVEN:
Make initial contact (sending a cover letter and resume) with employer. If the position that you are inquiring about was secured through Place Pro, it is necessary for you to work directly with the Co-op Office. If it is a Place Pro position, your resume will be sent on the deadline date.

STEP EIGHT:
Schedule interviews. Make sure that this is at the employer's convenience. If the position is arranged through Place Pro, the Co-op Office may work directly with the employer to set up interviews.

STEP NINE:
Interview. Make sure that you are prepared and on time. Research the company before the interview. This is your opportunity to sell yourself, your experience and your skills to the employer. Show the employer that you will be an asset to the company. If you need help with interviewing skills, the Co-op Office can hold mock interviews to help you feel more comfortable and strengthen your skills.

• Promptly send a thank you letter to the interviewer.  A sample thank you letter can be found here.

STEP TEN:
If you are successfully hired by a company, register for the co-op. Once you have secured a co-op position you must immediately apply/register with the OCE. Remember, there are registration deadlines set by the OCE that must be followed.

• Once working at your co-op position, complete the appropriate co-op level report and submit it to the Co-op Office by the report deadline date.

You should note that this process is one that should be approached as on-going. Even if you are not scheduled to complete your co-op in the near future, you should still be researching, making contacts and planning. The co-op search process is one that should never end.