BGSU's Cooperative Education Program
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Bowling Green State University
One of the many services which Bowling Green State University provides its
students is the Cooerative Education Program. Through this program,
students intern with a broad spectrum of companies in business and
industry. The program is available to any student enrolled in any degree
program at BGSU.
Interns work in academically relevant, supervised positions which
complement the student's classroom learning while providing "real world"
work experience related to their major prior to graduation. In addition to
learning new and refining existing professional skills, interns report
personal growth in the areas of confidence, independence, and maturity.
Opportunities for Students Pursuing a Mathematics or
Statistics Degree
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics actively supports the
Cooperative Education Program here at BGSU and has a strong track record
for successful placement of interested students pursuing a degree in
mathematics or statistics.
Since 1994, we have placed students with the following companies:
| Principle Business Enterprises | The Timken Company
|
| Nationwide Insurance | The Cleveland Clinic
|
| Eastman Kodak | Ohio Department of Transportation
|
| Prudential Securities | Key Corporation
|
| Mead Corporation | American Electric Power
|
| Freudenberg | National Cash Register
|
| Maritz Marketing | Beneficial Management Corporation
|
| NASA |
|
Why Do Companies Participate in Coop Programs?
Three-fourths of the Fortune 500 companies participate in cooperative
programs throughout the US. These companies view co-op students as
potential future employees and the co-op experience as part of an extended
interview process. Because companies invest heavily in training co-op
students,
they must also see significant benefits in order to offset this real cost
in today's competitive market. Companies typically target hiring
two-thirds
of their interns in order to "break even" on their co-op programs. For
this reason, they are only interested in students who are willing to
seriously consider eventual employment with their company. Students must
be
willing to locate at various cities throughout Ohio (Columbus,
Cincinnati,
Dayton, Cleveland) and are often expected to complete a second three-month
internship with the company. Students seeking only a summer job are not
viable candidates for BGSU's co-op program.
On the other hand, companies with co-op programs are sensitive to the
needs
of students' participating in co-op and have human resources
departments to help students make the transition from college to the work
environment. For example, many help with living arrangements. In fact,
larger companies typically have their own conveniently located apartments
for rent. In
addition, BGSU's Cooperative Education Program makes it easy for students
to retain their full-time student status including insurance and financial
aid benefits and will even fill out the necessary forms for you.
What Skills Are Companies Looking For?
Many companies participating in BGSU's Cooperative Education Program
specifically advertise for students pursuing a degree in mathematics or
statistics. In addition to the coursework required for these degrees,
companies typically are most interested in students who have some minimal
computing skills including one programming language and aptitude with
personal computers
such as familiarity with data bases, Windows, spread sheets, word
processers, and statistics packages like SASS or SPSS.
Where to Go From Here?
If you think you might be interested in participating in BGSU's
Cooperative Education Program or want additional information, please
contact Steve Seubert, The Director of Undergraduate Studies in The
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
(Room 435 in the Math/Science Building,
sseuber@math.bgsu.edu, 372-2179)
or Bruce Smith, The Director of The Cooperative Education Program (Room
310 in Student Services,
bsmith4@bgnet.bgsu.edu, 372-2451).
We will help you identify and locate companies with internships in your
specific interest, help you prepare your resume, and help you practice
interviewing skills, or refer you to the appropriate offices throughout
the
university.
Please also see
BGSU's Cooperative Education Web site.
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