If interested in a Winter Co-op I start for a standard co-op sequence or in a flexible part-time co-op sequence, contact the Co-op Coordinator, Ethan Tanis, [email protected].  Ethan can assist in the planning necessary for part-time work (6 consecutive semesters, 20 hours per week) while enrolling in part-time coursework; this is referred to as a “Flex” schedule.

Co-op-seeking students must obtain approval from the Padnos College of Engineering (PCE) before they can accept a co-op rotation.   

Task 1 (optional): Consider a non-academic internship after freshmen year. Schedule a meeting with a career center advisor for resumes, interviewing, and potential internships that may lead to a co-op offer. 

Task 2: Register and complete EGR289: Engineering Professionalism (Fall only).  This course helps co-op-seeking students to understand the program requirements and expectations.  It also provides development of application documents, interview skills, and search strategies.

Task 3: Obtain formal PCE approval to accept a co-op.  This occurs after fall grades are finalized for EGR289 students.  Students must have a “C” or better in all Foundational courses and Foundational GPA greater than 2.70, with no more than one foundation class remaining prior to the first co-op semester.   Students can obtain earlier approval (October) if their Foundational GPA is 3.2 or greater.

TASK 4: Complete the “Co-op Student Agreement” Survey –Co-op approval is necessary to gain access to the "Co-op Student Agreement" Survey.  A student agreement survey link is included in the formal approval email sent from PCE (Task 3). You must complete the survey to gain access to Submit an Experience in Handshake (STEP 3 below). 

Students can begin searching, applying, and interviewing for co-ops before PCE approval but cannot accept a co-op offer until they have been granted formal permission by the PCE.  Securing a co-op position is ultimately the responsibility of the student. Students should work with the Career Center for 1:1 search strategy assistance and attend GV Career Fairs and Events to meet with potential co-op employers.  If the student secures a co-op offer from an employer that is not on the Handshake list of approved employers, send the employer contact information (name, title, email, phone) to the PCE Co-op Coordinator, Ethan Tanis, [email protected]

SCHEDULE A CAREER CENTER APPOINTMENT IN HANDSHAKE                        FIND CAREER FAIRS & EVENTS IN HANDSHAKE

Use Handshake to search for co-ops and find the full list of approved co-op employers.  WATCH THIS VIDEO for a tutorial on finding curated co-op options and approved co-op employers.  Students are welcome to connect and apply with non-approved engineering employers, but sites will ultimately only become approved at the discretion of the Co-op Coordinator and PCE program.

SEARCH JOBS IN HANDSHAKE                    FIND THE APPROVED CO-OP EMPLOYERS LIST IN HANDSHAKE

Students gain access to this Handshake reporting feature after they complete the “Co-op Student Agreement” survey as required in STEP 1 above.  In Handshake, navigate to the Career Center tab and click "Experiences" to "Submit an Experience."  WATCH THIS VIDEO for a tutorial on navigating Experiences in Handshake. After submission of the experience, approval notifications will be routed to the employer and other contacts. Unapproved co-op employers will be vetted by the Co-op Coordinator at the time of submission.  

SUBMIT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN HANDSHAKE    

NOTE: Students completing an out-of-sequence co-op (alternative to summer Co-op I start date) or a Flex schedule must have program approval.  Connect with your appropriate program upper-level advisor to complete an updated/approved Academic Study Plan before submitting an experience.  Upper-level advisors are listed on the students MyPath.

Once your experience is fully approved, please make sure you are registered for the appropriate concurrent classes as listed in your approved Academic Study Plan. Students will submit a NEW experience before each co-op rotation to update facility, contact, and other information.  All rotations must be with the same employer.

Student Financial Aid Inquiries/Concerns:

All students enrolled in the full-time co-op option are considered full-time students within the Padnos College of Engineering. Enrollment in a co-op work semester may have individual implications for financial assistance that are unique to each student.  As such, the following contacts are available for student advisement:

Maryelise White: [email protected]

Brynne Roberts: [email protected]