The importance of co-op education cannot be overemphasized. Data clearly shows that co-op experience helps students achieve greater employment opportunities and faster career progress as compared to the students who have not had any such exposure prior to graduation. Actual working experience in an industrial or a professional setting prior to graduation helps accomplish the following: (i) to provide the "real" world practical experience, (ii) to enhance one's educational experience by gaining more appreciation of the applied knowledge, (iii) to enhance oral and writing, and interpersonal skills, (iv) to gain appreciation of the industrial workplace, and (v) to assess the relevance of a career in chosen discipline to the student's long-term goals. Other tangible benefits include financial gain, enhanced full-time job opportunities, and a sense of contribution by engaging in a productive activity.

Co-op participation is the student's free choice; nonetheless it is very strongly recommended. The student can elect to do an internship for about three months (generally in the summer) or a full-blown co-op consisting of the summer and one semester. Typically, we recommend that students at the minimum do a three-month long internship after their sophomore year. We also strongly encourage students to gain a full co-op experience in the summer and fall after completing their junior year course requirements. The curriculum is designed in such a way that students who elect to do an internship or co-op will not be of out of sequence in their class work.

Most positions will be of a technical nature, in either research laboratories or production facilities. Positions can be located in almost any state. Students assigned to positions far from Ohio may be assisted with living costs and the transportation expenses while traveling to and from Oxford.

Admission criteria are based on a successful academic performance at Miami University. Once admitted to the program, the co-op student is periodically evaluated and informed of specific areas where his or her performance can improve. This evaluation is done by both the faculty and industrial supervisor. Program students also carry out periodic evaluation of their co-op positions and the company's use of co-op students.

Students who have accepted a co-op assignment have the responsibility of registering for
PCE 320, Professional Practice for each term they are away. This is to avoid course registration problems when they return to full-time student status. They also must keep the department informed of their assignments and change of address, phone, etc.

Admission Requirements:

Be fully enrolled in one of the PCE majors.

Complete the online registration with Office of Career Services www.units.muohio.edu/careers/students/registrationandinterviews.shtml
This is important for you and Miami. Employers like to see many interested students registered with Career Services when they preview the data base.

Be in good standing at Miami University. A student on either academic or disciplinary probation needs the approval from his/her academic advisor prior to the co-op.

Obtaining a Co-op or Intern Position

Position Announcements & Interviews:
Most companies send their job description which is posted on Blackboard and the hallway bulletin boards instructing the student to contact the employer directly. Please respond as directed and attach your resume. Employers then select the students they wish to interview and make arrangements with these students. Some companies come to campus if there is enough interest for an on campus interview, which takes place in the Office of Career Services. If a student cannot make a scheduled interview, please contact employer and the department office. Non-attendance of an interview by a student is grounds for not allowing a student to participate in the Co-op Program.

Co-op Terms begin in January, May (Interns), or late August according to the needs of the employer. Occasionally some employers request 8-month terms, i.e. January-August or May-December.

Register for PCE 320, Professional Practice

It is essential that you register for PCE 320 (Professional Practice) when away on co-op/intern assignment. This records your coop/intern on your transcript as well as retains your “enrolled status” for spring and fall, which, if lost, would require re-admittance to the university. This also enables the Registrar’s Office to forward upcoming registration information to you while you are on assignment. Failure to comply with these regulations will cause difficulties in scheduling for the next school term. . (Note: There is no charge for registering for 320 for zero credit hours.)

Employment Information:

COOP/INTERN EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION FORM

Complete the form and forward to the departmental office

Evaluation of Work Experience (attached)
At the conclusion of each work period, the supervisor will evaluate the student’s work and the student will evaluate the company, then return the evaluations to Laurie Picadio, guestl(at)muohio.edu.
The employer evaluation will include such items as quality of work, amount of work, cooperation, supervision required, reliability, relations with co-workers, judgment, ability to learn, attendance, punctuality and a general evaluation of overall performance. The evaluation forms will be placed in the student’s academic file.

EMPLOYER EVALUATION FORM

STUDENT CO-OP ASSIGNMENT FEEDBACK FORM

Here are some companies participating in Co-ops & Interns::