Getting the Most From Your Cooperative Education Experience
All too often, internships can deteriorate into mind-numbing exercises of the most mundane tasks. Many interns, including myself, have suffered the indignity of staring at the 4 walls in between trips to the copy machine. There are many reasons for this. Your supervisor isn't aware of your strengths and qualifications or how you fit into the operation. You're unaware of your employer's needs and uncertain of how to maximize your attributes for the good of the organization. Then there is your faculty advisor--wait a minute--what faculty advisor? Unless you participate in a structured internship program, you probably don't have one. Anyway, the best intentions at the start of the internship disappear into the ether; so much for padding the resume!

The Cooperative Education Program serves as a catalyst in fostering productive internships. We provide a framework for the internship borne from the objectives of the Student, Employer, and Faculty Advisor. Here are some tips for creating learning objectives and following through on them:
1. Enter the internship with a positive attitude; build consensus with your employer and faculty advisor. In short, instill a spirit of teamwork into the process.
2. Take an inventory of your skills and make them known. A well-written resume is only part of the battle. Communicate your abilities to the Supervisor and Faculty Advisor. In turn, they will have a clearer picture on how to utilize your skills.
3. Stay on path in your work projects. Be energized, focused, and thorough. Remember, follow through is key. If you finish a project, seek more work--it will prevent you from losing steam.
4. Ask questions, seek mentorship! Remember, you're there to learn. While your classroom skills will go a long way in helping you accomplish tasks, there may be times when you're uncertain how to apply them. A good supervisor will show you how. Remember, they want you to be productive.
5. Stay in touch with your Faculty Advisor and inform her/him of your progress. Your Faculty Advisor is a valuable resource whose expertise will help vault you forward in your internship.
6. Keep a journal of your work experiences. This will help you track what you've accomplished and evaluate your progress over the duration of your internship. It will also help you in your biweekly AU 693/793 paragraph.
7. Report any internship issues that may arise to the Co-op Program Director. The vast majority of our internships go off without a hitch. However, there are always exceptions to the rule. If you need someone to talk to about an issue you're facing, come see us.

If you follow these basic guidelines, you'll make your work experience a positive, productive one.