The co-op assignment usually occurs during the junior or senior year. With proper planning, it is possible for a student to take a one-term plus summer co-op assignment and still graduate with his/her class. This requires future course planning so that degree requirements are taken in the right semester. Sometimes a co-op assignment might delay graduation. This must be weighed against the valuable work experience that a co-op provides.

If you are considering going on a co-op assignment, please be sure to discuss this with your academic advisor and/or faculty mentor. Proper course planning is essential!

For further information on co-op assignments, please visit the Career Development Center and your advisor (sandsr@rpi.edu).

Student Perspective:

“My classes and experiences at Rensselaer definitely helped me to prepare for the co-op position with Pratt & Whitney. Specific courses such as “Introduction to Management,” “Accounting for Decision-Making,” and the “Professional Leadership Program” gave me the skills that I needed to succeed in the position. Another advantage that I had coming from a technical school was the knowledge of various computer programs, especially Microsoft Office. Even though I had a background in these applications, I have picked up so many other functions and techniques that have helped to increase my level of expertise.

This 8-month co-op experience has been an excellent learning experience for me and I would recommend that all students take advantage of any co-op opportunity. I have grown in many ways, both personally and professionally, and am eager to finish my last year at Rensselaer and then return to the workforce. My advice to future students who decide to go on co-op is to take advantage of every opportunity because there is no telling what may come out of it in the future. I was truly just at the right place at the right time to get the opportunity to work in as FLP rotation. I am very grateful to everyone, both at Rensselaer and Pratt & Whitney who helped to make my co-op experience a success.”

Written by a current Management undergraduate student, Katie Bogert, who completed a Co-op this past summer (’03) at Pratt & Whitney.