Co-op Experience & Internship Education

For the employer:

• Provide the student with training, supervision and work experiences related to career or academic goals.
• Help the student achieve his/her learning objectives with work experiences that include an appropriate learning environment and productive work.
• Evaluate the student’s performance at designated time(s).
• Notify SCC of any changes made or needed in the Cooperative Experience and Internship Education experience training agreement.

For the student:

• Adhere to the policies of the employer, just as any other employee.
• Competently perform assigned work and complete agreed-upon objectives.
• Complete all necessary records for Cooperative Experience and Internship Education files.

For the College:

• Recognize Cooperative Experience and Internship Education as an educational strategy integrating classroom learning and progressive work experiences, with a constructive academic relationship between teaching faculty and internship faculty or administrators.
• Develop a structure for multiple work experiences in a formalized sequence, with study leading to degree completion of a Program of Study.
• Formally recognize the cooperative or internship experience on student records (e.g. grade, credit hours, part of degree requirement, notation on transcript, etc.).
• Provide pre-employment preparation for students, as well as ongoing advising.
• Maintain contact with the employer and the Cooperative Experience or Internship Education student during the term to ensure a successful experience.

These programs have excellent benefits to the employer, the student and the College. To that end, the Cooperative Experience and Internship Education are designed to develop or enhance a set of outcomes.

For the employer:

• Utilize well-prepared short-term employees while cutting recruiting and training costs.
• Provide real-world work experiences to students who are serious about learning and working and who have accumulated knowledge and classroom experience.
• Provide an opportunity to hire the student upon graduation.
• Enhance the partnership with SCC.
• Provide input on the quality and relevance of SCC’s curriculum.

For the student:

• Increase confidence and positive self-image through a worthwhile on-the-job experience.
• Increased opportunity for employment after graduation.
• Understand the relationship between classroom theory and workplace practice.
• Fulfill the “experience required” stipulation associated with many job openings.
• Gain new or advanced skills.
• Develop a professional network.
• Help clarify career goals.
• Enhance interpersonal skills.
• Income to assist with college expenses or to support personal financial responsibilities (co-op) or
• Earn college credit (internship).

For the College:

• Help in the recruitment of new students.
• Help retain current students.
• Provide wider range of learning opportunities for students.
• Enrich the program’s curriculum.
• Enhance its reputation in the employment community.
• Improve the job placement rate of graduates.
• Enrich partnerships with business and industry.