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Co-op & intern students

Student frequently asked questions

What is a co-op and what is an internship?
How can I get into the program?
How long will it take me to get a co-op or an intership?
What employers do you work with?
Can I afford to co-op or intern?
Does it cost me anything to co-op or intern?
How do I report my job?
Why enroll in ENG 689?
How do I enroll in ENG 689?
What do I have to do to pass ENG 689?
Will I get the same amount of financial aid if I co-op or intern?
Will the employer pay for housing or relocation expenses?
If I co-op, can I graduate in 4 years?
Are there any deadlines?
OIA requirements

WHAT IS COOPERATIVE EDUCATION AND WHAT IS INTERNSHIP?

• Co-op = alternating quarters of full-time coursework with 2 or more quarters of paid, full-time employment
  Cooperative Education provides the best opportunity to apply what is learned in the classroom in career-related positions by alternating quarters of full-time coursework with periods of paid, full-time employment. This work arrangement will vary by employer, and it is important to understand the employer's expectation before accepting a position. We recommend that students meet with their academic advisor to evaluate different co-op arrangements before interviewing because many employers hire for specific "rotations". For instance, students may work full-time during the summer quarter, attend full-time classes in autumn, and return to their employer for full-time work in the winter.
• Intern = one work period (1, or 2 consecutive quarters) of paid, full-time employment
  Internship involves one work period with an employer. A work period may last for one quarter or for two consecutive quarters. Summer internships are the most popular among students and employers; however, some employers offer internships in autumn, winter, or spring quarters as well.

Some part-time jobs may be available for students who choose not to pursue full-time co-op or internship employment. These opportunities appear as job listings in the online job search system.

HOW CAN I GET INTO THE PROGRAM?

Engineering students are eligible for initial registration with the Engineering Cooperative Education & Internship Program (ECIP) when all of the following criteria are met:

• Enrolled in the College of Engineering as a full-time undergraduate student
• Student in good standing
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Earned a "C" or higher in Math 151 or Math H161
• Credits equal to three full-time quarters of study with a minimum of two full-time consecutive quarters at Ohio State

Architecture students are eligible for initial registration with ECIP when all of the following criteria are met:

• Enrolled in the School of Architecture as a full-time undergraduate student
• Student in good standing
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Completion of four full-time consecutive quarters at Ohio State

Once registered, all students must continue to meet GPA requirements.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO GET A CO-OP OR AN INTERSHIP?

Many students find their first co-op or internship positions within one quarter or two, but it's hard to predict since so much depends on your activity level. There are many things you can do to make the most of the opportunities provided through ECIP.

• Register as early as you can (it's best to register at least two quarters before the quarter you'd like to work).
• Use all job search system features available to stay informed of opportunities - and check them daily.
• Keep yourself open to type of job, location, availability (working autumn quarter is not as popular among students although employers are still recruiting for that term), and type of employer.
• Go to information sessions when they are available to you.
• Reply quickly to invitations for interview opportunities…then show up to the interview, early and prepared.
• Go to job fairs.
• Take advantage of workshops, practice interviews, interview feedback, and consultations with ECIP advisors to help you develop your job search skills.

WHAT EMPLOYERS DO YOU WORK WITH?

Ohio State's College of Engineering carries a reputation that attracts a mind-boggling number of well-known, national and international employers. The list, if we could fit it here, would include many Fortune 500 companies, small and medium-sized manufacturers, firms that provide engineering and technical services, and state and federal agencies. For just a few examples, check out the employers coming to campus and our corporate support team.

We know you'll be impressed - perhaps even overwhelmed - at the possibilities.

CAN I AFFORD TO CO-OP OR INTERN?

Many co-ops and interns are able to pay for college in addition to their living expenses! And some have been able to fatten up their savings accounts in addition to that! Wages vary, of course, depending upon major, qualifications, industry (some pay more than others), and job location. Including all majors, the average reported hourly wages range from an occasional $9.75 to $20.00.

In terms of the value of co-op and internship experiences, the competitive wages, and your marketability upon graduation, we have to ask, "Can you afford NOT to pursue co-op and internship positions?"

DOES IT COST ME ANYTHING TO CO-OP OR INTERN?

A one-time $25 fee is charged to register with ECIP. This fee covers unlimited participation in the program AND registration for Graduating Student (GS) services once you begin your search for full-time career positions.

Each *quarter you work as a full-time co-op or intern, you are required to enroll in a zero-credit course, Engineering 689 - Professional Experience (ENG 689). The cost is one half of the cost of one credit hour. This course gives you legal status as a co-op or intern and maintains your enrollment with the University while you are working. There's no class attendance, and you will receive a grade of S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory), depending upon your employer's evaluation of your performance and your completion of a form evaluating the experience. *ENG 689 is not required for co-op or intern jobs during Summer Quarter.

HOW DO I REPORT MY JOB?

Submit the Work Assignment Form (WAF) online [new window] or print a PDF version of the WAF [new window] and send/fax it to us. This form serves as notification that you have found a co-op or internship position and no longer need to have your resume circulated. This form also enables us to collect data required by the College and to enroll you in ENG 689 to document your co-op or internship experience on your transcript.

IMPORTANT: Review a checklist of things to do before you leave campus to begin work. This list is also available on the WAF and at our information counter in 199 Hitchcock Hall.

WHY ENROLL IN ENG 689?

• ENG 689 maintains your full-time student enrollment status while you're working. It will not maintain student athletes' full-time status at this time. Being a full-time student while on your co-op or intern work assignment ensures you'll be able to...
  • Pick up or purchase athletic tickets
  • Get an RPAC pass at the student rate
  • Get an OSU golf course pass at the student rate
  • Obtain enrollment verification for insurance, if covered under your parents' car and/or health policies
• ENG 689 also verifies you are a continuing full-time student for financial aid purposes. If you typically receive *financial aid and do not enroll in ENG 689, you might be required to start re-paying your student loans before you graduate. Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid [new window] when enrolling in ENG 689 so that eligibility for financial aid can be reviewed. *You cannot receive financial aid while you are co-oping or interning.
• ENG 689 is a prerequisite to employment for some employers, since enrollment in such a course fits the legal requirements outlined in Ohio Revised Code Section 4141.01(B)(3)(e)(ii) [new window]. These employers will contact ECIP to verify enrollment.
• ENG 689 on your transcript formally documents your co-op or internship experience. In Ohio, as in many states, co-op and internship experience counts toward the 4-year field work requirement to obtain the Professional Engineer (PE) license [new window]. Note: only experience from sophomore year onward applies.
• ENG 689 is the prerequisite for the Professional Practice in Industry (PPI) course. Ask your academic advisor for more information.
• ENG 689 enables you to waive your residence hall contract if you are working outside of Columbus.
• ENG 689 ensures you will be eligible for student health insurance for the quarter you're working -- health insurance is required to participate as a co-op or intern.

HOW DO I ENROLL IN ENG 689?

When you complete the Work Assignment Form (WAF) to report your job acceptance, select YES, I want to be enrolled in ENG 689. You may submit the WAF online [new window] or print a PDF version of the WAF [new window] and send/fax it to us. Once the form is processed, an ECIP staff member will enroll you for ENG 689 (unlike other courses, you can't schedule yourself for ENG 689). We'll send you an e-mail message to confirm you're enrolled.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO PASS ENG 689?

To receive a "Satisfactory" grade in ENG 689, an Employer Evaluation and a Student Evaluation must be submitted to ECIP for each work term by the deadline indicated on the Academic Calendar. For example, two sets of evaluations would be submitted during a six-month internship; one set at the end of each quarter. The evaluation forms can be completed online by logging in to ECIP manage work records [new window]. If you will not have access to the Internet while on assignment, print pdf copies of the evaluation forms before you leave.

WILL I GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL AID IF I CO-OP OR INTERN?

You must meet with a financial aid advisor and/or College of Engineering scholarship coordinator to resolve all financial aid and scholarship issues.

If your financial status changes for the better, you will qualify for a smaller amount in loans or grants--so be thrifty with your earnings! From time to time, a student will withdraw as a co-op candidate, to avert the possibility of qualifying for less aid. When this happens, it always surprises us, because we can't imagine what it would be like to interview for a job as graduation approaches without experience--and with a large burden of debt.

Scholarships are based on your academic performance--although you will need to shift your awards to the quarters you'll actually be a full-time student, you should not have any problem with scholarships as long as you keep up your grades.

WILL THE EMPLOYER PAY FOR HOUSING OR RELOCATION?

Typically, no, but cost of living is usually factored into rates of pay. In some cases, where cost of living is high or apartments are difficult to find, the employer may subsidize housing costs; in some cases, the employer will have already identified inexpensive housing for co-ops and interns. In many cases, employers will help you locate housing. A few may also help you financially with relocation expenses. Dollar amounts and specific procedures vary from employer to employer - you'll need to inquire about the specifics during the interview process.

IF I CO-OP, CAN I GRADUATE IN 4 YEARS?

It's unlikely, but some students manage to graduate in 4 years. One student actually completed a combined B.S./M.S. degree, had three quarters of experience, and did it all in five years. The majority of engineering students need 13 or 14 quarters of classes to graduate. The majority of those who co-op on a summer/winter rotation can easily complete three or four co-op quarters and graduate within five years - even if they need more than 12 quarters to complete their coursework. Before enrolling in the program, we strongly encourage you to meet with your academic advisor to schedule co-oping around course offerings.

ARE THERE ANY DEADLINES?

Update your online profile and resume and then submit the Quarterly Activation Form (QAF) every quarter you're looking for a job. Maximize your opportunities by activating your account early in the quarter, ideally during the first week of classes. However, you can update your profile and resume and resubmit the QAF throughout the quarter, if you want to change your job type, for example.

Working students enrolled in ENG 689 should remember it has deadlines, like any graded course. Please refer to the Academic Calendar for the specific due dates for student and employer evaluations. Working students who also need financial aid should remember that March 1 is the application deadline every year.

OIA REQUIREMENTS

International students should meet with an advisor in the Office of International Affairs (OIA) to discuss eligibility for internships before they register.