How do Cooperative Education/Internship Programs work?

College Cooperative education/Internship offices partner with employers covering a wide range of academic areas. Through this collaboration, employers list job opportunities and colleges provide pre-screened student applicants that meet job requirements.

Students earn academic credit as part of the cooperative education program and are given the opportunity to test drive their chosen career paths. Through a Cooperative education/internship program, students learn about developing  resumes, the job search, and interviewing process and receive guidance from co-op professionals.

While interns are an excellent resource for employers, the student gains a first hand look at corporate culture and an organization's working environment. They also learn about different career paths within an industry, the value of networking and how these connections can help in their future job searches.

This is the perfect scenario for students to gain a better understanding of career paths and the types of opportunities available.

This is a perfect time for employers to look at the current crop of students, evaluate their performance and when there is a good fit, entertain the possibility of full-time employment. A win-win situation for employer and intern!
 

Some Co-op/Internship Statistics

Approximately 30 New Jersey colleges and universities have cooperative education and internship programs.  Throughout New Jersey an estimated 2,700 employers, public and private, hire these student employees. More than 5,000 New Jersey college students participate in cooperative education and internship programs every year. Nationwide there are more than 200,000 students in over 1,000 colleges working for approximately 50,000 employers, large and small.

A Working Relationship

By joining forces and forming a working partnership of college and business professionals throughout the state, this helps to create a pool of interns that will be part of an educated, trained workforce benefiting New Jersey’s economic growth.

New Jersey’s two and four year college contact numbers are included in this website. A state map shows each college’s location.

 

 
"The co-op student is typically a more serious, dependable and reliable worker, eager to make a contribution or a difference. By participating in a co-op program, employers contribute to the professional development of students and have a positive effect on their profession or industry."

The Newark Museum