| Undergraduate Co-op / Internship Program |
| Frequently Asked Questions
for students in program: |
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| Q. |
I've just accepted a co-op or
internship job. What do I do? |
| A. |
See what
to do and when. |
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| Q. |
My employer asked me for a transcript.
How do I get it? |
| A. |
See contacts for
transcripts. |
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|
| Q. |
I need a letter stating that
I am a student at Virginia Tech while I'm enrolled in the Co-op /
Internship Program. How do I get it? |
| A. |
See contacts for enrollment
verification letters. |
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| Q. |
I need help choosing what courses
to take when. Whom do I ask? |
| A. |
Same as before you were co-oping or interning
— your academic advisor in your academic department. See
contacts for help
with course selection. |
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| Q. |
How do I register for classes
for the next term if I'm at my work site during pre-registration? |
| A. |
See what
to do during your work terms > course
selection / registering for upcoming terms. |
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|
| Q. |
How do I enroll in CEP 4084
during my work terms? |
| A. |
See steps
before your first work term > becoming
enrolled in the Co-op / Internship Program during your work terms. |
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| Q. |
How do I update my mailing address
or e-mail? |
| A. |
See address
and e-mail updates. |
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| Q. |
What are the fees for enrollment
in the Co-op / Internship Program? |
| A. |
See fees. |
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| Q. |
When are the tuition and fee
payment deadlines? |
| A. |
See the web site of the University
Bursar's office for tuition and fee deadlines. |
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|
| Q. |
Can I pay fees for health services,
athletics, student activities, bus, or rec. sports while I'm enrolled
in CEP 4084? |
| A. |
Yes, but be aware that for your work
terms, you are not automatically billed for comprehensive student
fees or any individual fees and therefore do not automatically have
access to those student services. You must initiate payment for
the services you desire. See University
Bursar's office for policies and fee rates for optional services
while you are enrolled in CEP 4084. |
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|
| Q. |
How will enrolling in the Co-op
/ Internship Program affect my scholarship(s) or financial aid? |
| A. |
If you are receiving scholarships
and/or financial aid, you must inform that office of your co-op
or internship plans. See Financial
Aid for complete information. |
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| Q. |
What if I participate in the
Budget Tuition Plan? |
| A. |
If you participate in the Budget Tuition
Plan (pay tuition in installments), see the instructions of the
University
Bursar's office to reduce or cancel your budget tuition plan
during your work terms. |
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| Q. |
I have a question about on-campus
housing. |
| A. |
If you work and leave campus during
part of an academic year when you live on campus, you are released
from your on-campus housing for the term you are enrolled in the Co-op
/ Internship Program. For complete information see Housing Assignments and Contracts. |
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| Q. |
What are the start and end dates
for work terms? |
| A. |
See the calendar. |
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|
| Q. |
Can I change my Work / School
Schedule? |
| A. |
Maybe.
See work / school
schedule > Can
I change my schedule after I start work? |
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| Q. |
What if I change majors?
How will this affect my co-op / internship status? |
| A. |
Consult your Career
Services co-op / internship advisor. Also discuss the change you
are considering with your employer. Depending on the majors in question,
you may be able to continue your co-op or internship with your employer
in the same or a different assignment. Depending on the majors in
question, you may be assigned to a different co-op / internship advisor
in Career Services. |
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|
| Q. |
What if I'm not happy with my
work situation. |
| A. |
Consult your Career
Services co-op / internship advisor. We will work toward a solution.
The first step is to see if the work situation can be changed. If
it is not in your best interests to continue your co-op or internship,
your advisor will discuss with you how to proceed based on the circumstances. |
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| Q. |
Can I look for a different job
while I'm co-oping or interning? |
| A. |
Before you consider this, discuss the
situation with your co-op
/ internship advisor. You also need to discuss this with your
current employer. Some employers are flexible about releasing you
from the work terms agreed upon on your Work / School Schedule; others
are not. If you do decide to resign from your current employer without
completing all the agreed upon work terms, you need to do so in writing
to your employer, and copy the written resignation to your co-op /
internship advisor. |
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| Q. |
Can my employer fire me or lay
me off? |
| A. |
Yes. If your work performance is not
acceptable, your employer can dismiss you. Be sure you understand
your employer's policies and performance evaluation methods at the
beginning of your first work term. From our perspective in Career
Services, we would hope the employer would work with you to improve
your performance if it is below acceptable levels. However, if you
committed a serious violation of your employer's policies or rules,
the employer may have no choice but to dismiss you.
Unfortunately, even if your performance is good, employers sometimes
have to lay off employees due to business factors and economic realities;
this can apply to co-ops and interns as well.
Consult your co-op / internship advisor if you have concerns. |
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| Q. |
What if my GPA drops below 2.0? |
| A. |
See GPA
requirements under eligibility. |
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