How to Become a Co-op Employer
What is cooperative education?
For over 50 years, the College of Engineering and Innovation at Bowling Green State University has proudly partnered with industry leaders to prepare students for successful careers through our cooperative education (co-op) program.
Cooperative education (co-op) is a structured program that integrates classroom learning with meaningful, paid work experience. Co-op experiences are integral to our students’ academic and career development. All undergraduates in the College of Engineering and Innovation are required to complete 1-3 co-ops.
Students have the opportunity to:
- Apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings
- Gain valuable industry experience
- Hone professional skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving
- Graduate ready to contribute from day one
- Earn a paycheck and academic credit
Ready to be a co-op partner?
Let's have a conversation!
Why hire a BGSU co-op student?
Partnering with BGSU’s cooperative education program is a strategic way to strengthen your workforce while supporting the next generation of professionals.
- Access emerging talent. Connect with motivated, career-focused students who bring fresh ideas, technical skills and the latest academic knowledge to your team.
- Build a talent pipeline. Co-ops are a cost-effective way to evaluate potential future hires in a real-world setting. This can reduce recruitment costs and improve retention by hiring employees who already understand your organization.
- Boost productivity. Co-op students can contribute to meaningful projects, support ongoing initiatives and help lighten the load for your full-time staff.
- Support workforce development. Play a direct role in shaping the future workforce by providing hands-on experience aligned with your industry’s needs.
- Influence curriculum by exposing students and faculty to industry technologies and innovations.
- Give back to the community. Co-op partners demonstrate their commitment to education, innovation and community engagement by investing in student development.
Your role as a co-op employer
Employer partnership and mentorship are crucial to the success of our program.
The Office of Cooperative Education is here to support you every step of the way as you navigate the co-op process from recruiting to hiring students.
- The co-op student is assigned job duties related to their major.
- The employer offers the student full-time work (40 hours a week) lasting one semester (about four months). A part-time option (20 hours a week) lasts two consecutive semesters.
- The student should be supervised by an employee who can act as a mentor and is someone the student can learn from.
- The employer completes a midterm and final evaluation on the student's performance.
- The employer meets with the student’s assigned co-op faculty representative – virtually, by phone or face to face – once during the student's co-op semester. The faculty representative will schedule the meeting.
- The student receives compensation for their employment.
- The Office of Cooperative Education does not sanction unpaid co-ops/internships and advocates for all students to be compensated for the skills, talents and contributions they offer. To protect the student, the employer should follow all ethical standards and laws as directed by the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act), and United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
- There should be no major difference between a co-op employee and a full-time, entry-level employee. This is the essence of the co-op experience.
You have several options for recruiting students.
- Email the Office of Cooperative Education. We can send notices to students about opportunities on your behalf. Provide the following details about the open position:
- Position title, description, location, pay rate, etc.
- Employer contact information
- Employer information (website, mission statement, etc.)
- Deadline date by which you would like to receive student resumes (set in coordination with co-op semester dates and deadlines)
- How students should apply
- Connect with the Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections. The Kuhlin Hub hosts career fairs and events that draw hundreds of students. Call 419-372-2356 or email careerservices@bgsu.edu.
- Connect with College of Engineering and Innovation student organizations (student officers and faculty advisors) for information about student-led activities, events and career fairs. Student Construction Management Association (SCMA) hosts a construction management job fair each fall.
- Contact faculty to request that they make classroom announcements about open co-op positions. Many faculty members may host you as a guest speaker.
- Post information about available co-ops on social media and LinkedIn.
The Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections or the Office of Cooperative Education can offer assistance with scheduling on-campus interviews.
Kuhlin Hub
419-372-2356
careerservices@bgsu.edu
Office of Cooperative Education
Melissa Partin-Harding
419-372-6802
mpartin@bgsu.edu
The Office of Cooperative Education does not sanction unpaid co-ops/internships. All students must be compensated for the skills, talents and contributions they offer.
2025 co-op hourly rate by major
| Major | Average | Lowest | Highest |
| Architecture | $18.07 | $10.70 | $40 |
| Aviation Studies | $16.15 | $10.70 | $30 |
| Construction Management | $20.42 | $12 | $37 |
| Electronics and Computer Engineering (Technology) | $16.19 | $12 | $21.00 |
| Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (Technology) | $21.72 | $17 | $30.62 |
| Robotics (Mechatronics) | $22.15 | $15 | $28.75 |
| Systems Engineering | $28 | $28 | $28 |
| Visual Communication Technology | $15.47 | $10 | $25 |
2025 co-op overall average hourly rate: $18.41
Updated: 10/08/2025 02:57PM