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Frequently Asked Questions about Co-Op and internships

What is the difference between internships and co-ops?
Are internships and co-ops full-time or part-time?
Are internships and co-ops paid or unpaid?
Can I get academic credit for an internship or co-op?
Am I guaranteed a co-op or internship position?
Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
When should I start looking for internships and co-ops?
Who and where are the co-op and internship employers?
What is the purpose of the internship information session?
Who can help me locate an internship?

Q:  What's the difference between internships and co-ops?

A:  Both are work experience related to your academic program.  Internships are usually, but not always, one term.  Internships are usually summer, spring, and fall semesters.

Co-ops are usually, but not always, multi-term; e.g. you might work fall semester, go to school in spring semester, work summer, go to school in fall, and work the next spring semester.

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Q:  Are internships and co-ops full-time or part-time?

A:  Internships can be either; depends on employers' needs and the way each employer chooses to structure an intern program.  Some internship programs are very formal and structured, while others offer more flexibility to negotiate terms.  Co-ops are part-time and full-time positions.

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Q:  Are internships and co-ops paid or unpaid?

A:  Internships can be paid or unpaid; this depends on employers' preferences and on the career field and on the job market supply and demand conditions which exists.  Co-op positions are always paid.

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Q:  Can I get academic credit for an internship or co-op?

A:  You do not receive academic credit hours for co-op positions. 

For internships the authority to grant academic credit is entirely determined by each academic department.  Ask in the department of your academic major.  If your department allows this, academic credit is usually earned by registering for a Field Study, and usually requires you to submit academic work, such as reports, to a faculty member, in addition to the employer's on-the-job requirements.

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Q:  Am I guaranteed a co-op or internship position?

A:  No.  Applying for a co-op or internship position is competitive.  Employers evaluate your resume and compare you to your peers at Columbus State University (and elsewhere).

Students with higher GPAs and appropriate extracurricular experience are more likely to receive job offers; but other factors are involved, especially supply of, and demand for, student candidates.

Just as in any job search, employers will evaluate your interpersonal and communication skills in determining whether or not to offer you a co-op or internship position.  Employers look for genuine enthusiasm and interest when deciding between job candidates.

There are fluctuations in employers' needs and in the job market.

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Q:  Is there a minimum GPA requirement?

A:  Yes.  See qualifications.

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Q:  When should I start looking for internships and co-ops?

A:  For summer internships, start in fall and keeping looking through spring - until you get the position.  Use school breaks (Thanksgiving, winter & spring breaks) to make contacts at home, if "home" is where you would like to be located for your internship.  For co-op positions, begin looking at least one semester before you hope to begin work.  Be aware that if an employer requires a security clearance, it may take up to six months between the time the employer begins considering you and the time you begin work.

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Q:  Who and where are the co-op and internship employers?

A:  See the co-op internship link so that you know about some of the places to look.

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Q:  What is the purpose of the internship information session?

A:  The purpose of the session is to give the student an overview of the internship program, including policies and procedures, and to ask questions.  The Career Center offers internship information sessions during the Spring and Fall smesters. 

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Q:  Who can help me locate an internship?

A:  The CSU Career Center, the internship coordinator within each academic department and the internet.  The Career Center can also help you sharpen search skills, resume, cover letter, and interviewing techniques.

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