Co-op for Industry Partners

Co-op is an educational experience which integrates academic and career interests with industry experience. Students convert theory into practice, applying classroom knowledge to work situations, learning information and skills to enhance future coursework.

Cornell Engineering students are self-reliant, ready, confident in their abilities, and eager to learn. Employers who hire Co-ops gain more than outstanding apprentices-they have the opportunity to observe and groom prospective full-time employees.

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Overview

Student Eligibility: to participate in a co-operative education experience, a student must

  • be an undergraduate
  • have completed at least two semesters by the start of the work term
  • be affiliated with an engineering major by the start of the work term
  • be in good academic standing with their engineering major and College at start of work term
  • have at least one undergraduate semester remaining following the work experience

Co-operative Education Experience Criteria: the work experience must be:

  • Engineering-related work
  • Paid
  • Full-time (37.5+ hours/week)
  • The duration of a fall or spring semester
  • Occur during a fall or spring semester

 

Flight testing radio frequency testing

Co-op Program Overview [pdf]

See also:

Hiring Engineering Co-op students:

Cornell Engineering students are seeking opportunities all year-round.


Please contact Julie at engr_coop@cornell.edu or 607-255-3512 for information about hiring Cornell Engineers for co-op/semester internships.

Employers hiring Cornell Co-ops must agree to the following expectations:

Expectations of Employers/Supervisors

  • Provide work assignments that are educational, challenging, and related to student's coursework
  • Provide a clear definition of job responsibilities and expectations
  • Provide appropriate supervision and timely feedback of job tasks and performance
  • Be accessible for questions or provide the student with a mentor or referral to someone who can assist with questions
  • Explain organization policies and benefits
  • Treat the student fairly

Expectations of Students

  • Display intellectual curiosity and a desire to contribute
  • Display a good work ethic (e.g. arrive on time, but in and honest 8 hour day, every day)
  • As questions, but think about how to solve the problem independently before approaching others
  • Do not abuse privileges (e.g. follow work rules regarding email/internet/phone use, dress/behave professionally, do not take advantage of the fact that no one is constantly looking over them) and maintain professionalism
  • Be a team player
  • Have a good attitude: show enthusiasm no matter what the task
  • Familiarize yourself with the employer's background, culture, and organizational structure
  • Be open and responsive to suggestions for improvement

 

Co-op Recruiting:

Fall 2020 Co-op recruiting can be for any of the following work terms: Spring 2021, Spring/Summer 2021, Summer/Fall 2021, Fall 2021.

Co-op students work full-time for at least one semester. Co-op students are in the upper half of their class while majoring in an Engineering or Computer Science field.

Photo of Co-op Student on the Job

...my Co-op assignment was probably the single most influential experience during my time at Cornell. Hands down, it was the best decision I've made for my education after deciding to come to Cornell in the first place.

— Anthony Sullivan '12, Materials Science