Cooperative Education: Frequently Asked Questions
 
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Internships for students in every school at Ramapo are offered through the Co-op Program!Stop in The Cahill Center Room C-209 to Apply! |
What’s the difference between a Co-op and an internship?
The words Co-op and internship can be used interchangeably but there are a few differences. An internship is usually unpaid whereas most Co-ops offer payment to students. A Co-op is also supervised by a faculty advisor and a career counselor while an internship does not usually give a student as much support. Both allow you to gain valuable work experience in your field of choice.
What is the first step in starting the Co-op process?
The first thing any student interested in doing a Co-op should do is call or come in to the Cahill Center to speak to the Cooperative Education coordinator. They will start the intake process by making sure you meet the eligibility requirements and having you fill out some paperwork. They will also talk to you about what kind of company you might like to work for.
If I don’t have a job, will the Co-op coordinator find me one?
The Co-op coordinator is only responsible for sending your resume out to employers partnered with Ramapo. You will still need to go on the interviews and get the job yourself.
What if I already have a job that I want to use as my Co-op?
This is called a job conversion and you can do this if your job meets certain requirements which can be found here. Keep in mind that your job must be relevant to your major.
How many credits can I earn for a Co-op?
Each Co-op is 4 credits and you may take up to 8 Co-op credits that count toward graduation. This means you can do 2 Co-ops and any additional ones will only serve as electives.
How much money can I earn during this experience?
In the past year alone, some students have earned $10,000 for one semester. But your main goal shouldn’t be to earn money in this experience because some jobs are unpaid or pay very little. When most students complete their co-ops, they are more grateful for the additional benefits they gained such as networking with professionals in their future field and seeing the connection between academics and the real work force.
How will my grade be determined?
How your grade will be determined and what your grade will be are left up to your faculty advisor but it mainly consists of three components.
- How well you completed your objectives agreed on in the Learning Agreement
- Your employer evaluation
- Your academic assignment
Keep in mind that your academic assignment is usually the largest portion of your grade as cooperative education is an academic experience.
Are orientation and reflection sessions mandatory?
Yes, any student participating in a co-op must attend one of each session during the semester they are working. These are your opportunities to learn what to expect prior to starting your co-op and to discuss your experience with other students once it’s over. In an effort to make things more convenient, we have scheduled several different times and dates for these sessions which can be viewed on the “Student Responsibilities” section as “Fall 2009 Calendar.”
