There are many advantages to employing BGSU co-op and internship students. Employers gain talented, highly-motivated pre-professionals who are eager to learn and tackle special projects in their academic specialization, which allows permanent employees to be redeployed to more critical business issues. Employers are able to keep a “real job” filled by hiring several students year-round at a fraction of the cost for a permanent employee’s salary and benefits. Supervising and mentoring an intern or co-op student is very rewarding and can be a developmental experience for a new supervisor. Employers realize an early return on their investment. They have an opportunity to observe and assess the performance potential of future employees without obligation to hire. As the competition in the talent wars has intensified, many employers are regarding their co-op or internship program as the vital link for new college hires. A well-established co-op or internship program helps reduce recruiting, training and orientation costs by hiring graduates who are committed to and already have experience with the organization. In addition, employers gain name recognition on campus as returning co-op and intern students share stories about their rewarding experiences.

While many people use the terms co-op and internship interchangeably, there are differences in the length and nature of the assignments. At the Career Center, we have adopted the following definitions:

Cooperative Education: a paid assignment for two consecutive semesters on a full-time basis or two- or three-semester assignments with the same employer that alternate with semesters in school. Lengthier assignments enable co-op students to gain more in-depth knowledge about their field and assume responsibility for larger or multiple projects.

Internship: a one-term assignment with an employer, which gives students insight into their academic discipline and employer’s core business. These assignments can be with local, regional, national, or international employers, either compensated or volunteer, or on a full-time or part-time basis.

What distinguishes a co-op or internship from a part-time job is the intentional learning agenda, which complements the student’s academic program and is an integral component of an applied learning experience.

The Cooperative Education and Internship Program supports the BGSU vision by providing meaningful, career-related experiences to help students achieve the following outcomes:

• Understand their academic discipline more fully and gain practical experience by applying classroom learning at the workplace.
• Enhance their professional skills, including critical thinking, written and oral communication, teamwork, leadership, organization, problem-solving, judgment, and decision-making.
• Gain experience working with people from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds and age groups.
• Demonstrate work behaviors and attitudes essential for workplace success, including initiative, flexibility, self-confidence, maturity, integrity, and responsibility.
• Increase their understanding of strengths and weaknesses through performance feedback and formal appraisal.
• Discover employment options and career paths in their field, and the importance of professional development and life-long learning.

BGSU’s degree programs are designed not only to nurture learning but also to enable students to apply what they have learned. By graduation, BGSU students are expected to demonstrate substantial mastery of the learning outcomes in their major fields of study; be able to think critically and constructively; communicate skillfully; and engage others actively and effectively so that they participate fully in society as well-informed citizens.

A co-op or internship is a collaborative program between the University, the students, and approved employers.  The employer provides supervision, facilities, and instruction that help students acquire the skills and knowledge needed in their chosen field of study or occupation.  The Cooperative Education & Internship:  Program Agreement  is for the period agreed upon by the employer, the student, and the Cooperative Education and Internship Program (CEIP).  This agreement may be terminated by the employer, or CEIP for good and sufficient cause by providing reasonable advance written notice to the other.  The employer and the Cooperative Education and Internship Program agree to indemnify each other from any claims or liability.

Employer Relations Brochure (pdf format)

To post an internship or co-op - please click here.