Terminology:
What's a co-op & what's an internship? |
| On this page: |
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Definitions |
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Part-time,
unpaid, or academic-credit internships |
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What's
eligible for Career Services' Undergraduate Co-op / Internship Program? |
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Rules
in academic departments |
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| Definitions |
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"Co-op" usually
refers to a multi-work term agreement with one employer; traditionally
with at least three work terms alternated with school terms, resulting
in a 5-year degree program. Co-ops are full-time, paid positions. |
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"Internship" usually
refers to a one-term work assignment, most often in the summer, but
not always. Internships can be full- or part-time, paid or unpaid,
depending on the employer and the career field. |
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However, beware: Not all
employers use these terms consistently or with consistent meanings. |
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Some employers use the
term co-op to refer to a one- or two-term work assignment. |
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Internships can occur
in fall or spring semesters, as well as summer, and internships
can sometimes be multi-term programs. |
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When you talk with employers
about their programs, make absolutely sure you know what their program
requirements are, and know what they expect of you. |
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| What about part-time,
unpaid, or academic-credit internships? |
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Some employers offer internships
that are part-time and/or unpaid and/or require you to earn academic
credit. These are common in some career fields, and can be great experiences.
Please note that students do not
enroll in Career Services Undergraduate Co-op / Internship Program
for these kinds of employer programs. |
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Academic credit can only
be granted by academic departments, and each academic department
has its own policies on whether or not it will grant academic credit
for an internship. |
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Students interested in credit-bearing
internships should discuss this with your academic major department. |
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| What's eligible
for Career Services' Co-op / Internship Program |
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For students to enroll in the program, the work must be:
- full time
- paid
- related to your major and/or career goal
- last at least one full 13-15 week term (fall, spring, and/or
summer)
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See eligibility
for complete information. |
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Students are not required
to enroll in our program. Employers sometimes requires students to
be enrolled with their institution's co-op program. It is to students'
advantage to enroll in the program if any work terms are in fall and/or
spring semesters so that you maintain student standing while working. |
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| Rules in academic
departments |
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Each academic department
can set its own rules regarding GPA, number of work terms required,
and work / school schedules for student participation in co-ops and
internships. See work
/ school schedules for more details about schedules permissible
in the Undergraduate Co-op / Internship Program. |
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