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The Great Advantage of Co-op Programs

Are you looking for a program that offers more than just studying, studying, and studying? Something that can secure you a better placement when you graduate, especially in these economic times? Well, start thinking about co-op!

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A recent article by Mary Chapman talks about why co-operative education is a great options for students. According to Paul Stonely, president of the National Commission for Cooperative Education, employers are "increasingly see that hiring a co-op graduate is a good strategy, since they know they are getting someone with experience".

The article reveals interesting statistics: across the US, "95 percent of co-op students that participate in co-operative education have a job when they graduate, according to the commission. More than 60 percent accept permanent jobs from the employers for whom they worked while in school".

Bottom line here: co-op students get placements.

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Why? And what's this all about?

Co-op programs are "programs that combine college classes with jobs in related fields". They can work in a variety of ways, ranging from securing summer internships to helping find full-time, paid employment for an entire semester. Yes, you can earn money while you're on co-op. Co-op programs take a lot of effort from students, but in return they provide valuable real work experience.

Employers find that hiring co-op students is beneficial, since they're paid less than part time workers, have the most up-to-date knowledge right from school, and they don't receive health insurance or benefits. Employers are also more likely to offer permanent jobs to their co-op students upon graduation, since they already know whether or not the student is a good worker, and they wouldn't have to spend any money or efforts on expensive training. Employers are also far more likely to choose a candidate who already has work experience than a recent graduate with no experience, which gives co-op students a major advantage.

As well, some of the co-op programs can count towards other goals. For example, co-op work may count as work experience towards an accounting or an engineering certification. As well, this work experience can count towards the requirements for an MBA, which offers a great fast-track path towards a master's degree.

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Co-op is something to consider!

You can read the whole article here.

And you can also apply to great co-op programs on LearnHub! For example:

• The International Business EMBA Work Study Experience program; or
• The Management of Information Technology EMBA Work Study Experience program at Schiller International University, Florida.

Co-op Gets You The Job!

Picture Credits:
A real co-op students, Krista. Photo probably taken by Carsten or Libin, I can't remember.

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