Coming to college can be a daunting task for any student. When you consider all the factors one has to consider, location, size of school, does it have my major, what is my major, who will I room with, and so much more, choosing a college is a challenge. It is not surprising, then, that many will hold on to any information that seems constant or simplistic in it’s understanding. When you choose to go to college, it is normal to hear, this is a 4-year program, you will graduate in 4 years, these are the best 4 years of your life.
So can you imagine the complexities and concerns that are raised when engineering students are told, “you should do a co-op! Yes, you will be here an additional semester or two, but it’s worth it.” When you think about this, it makes sense that so many engineering students who are in programs where co-ops are not required initially balk or backpedal from the concept of going away during a semester to work. I get it. I really do. Until you start to think about it from a truly practical, logical perspective. Let me start from the beginning.
Cooperative Education has been around in various formats for over 100 years. According to the history report from the Cooperative Education and Internship Association (CEIA Co-op History), Herman Schneider, proposed the initial program at Lehigh University in 1899. He believed that “if you want to educate a student to become an engineer, then you should provide that student with the opportunity to practice being an engineer.” A few years later, in 1906, Schneider implemented the first official co-op program, founded at the University of Cincinnati. That first year, wages were 8-10 cents an hour. Since that time engineering students around the world have been combining classroom knowledge with practical industry-based experience through co-ops.
If you were to ask engineering employers when hiring any new graduate, what is the most important thing they consider, they will likely tell you undergraduate work experience. While there are programs that don’t require co-ops as part of the curriculum, such as here at the University of Kentucky, gaining experience prior to graduation is still an expectation.
Gaining that experience can be achieved through both co-ops and internships. While both provide outstanding, valuable real-world work experience, there are differences, mainly based on timing and length. A co-op is a semester-long or year-long paid experiential education opportunity, typically full-time (40 hours per week) and aligns with the academic calendar. An internship is often a summer experience or part-time experience during the academic year, does not require enrollment in a university course, and is typically shorter in duration. Co-ops offer extended periods of work, allowing students more time to build skills, take on responsibilities, and complete projects. Co-ops also provide a deep dive into the professional environment. Internships can offer more flexibility but less immersion.
Engaging in co-ops and internships provides critical experience that enhances employability. These opportunities allow students to develop technical skills, build professional networks, and gain a deeper understanding of their field. Investing time in these experiences can significantly boost career prospects and prepare students for successful careers in engineering and computer science.
Yes, I get the idea that taking an extra semester or two to gain experience through a co-op may feel like delaying graduation or falling behind. My hope, however, is that students truly understand the importance of gaining this experience and see it, not as “falling behind”, but instead as advancing themselves professionally and personally, positioning themselves to be as successful as possible in the full-time job search.
