Engineering Co-op Program: The Employer Perspective
The Engineering Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) links qualified, interested students with employers to fill temporary technical positions. Employers gain access to recruit, evaluate, and train potential employees while students gain hands on work experiences and credit toward graduation.
Students: See Gain Work Experience through Engineering Co-op.
What is Co-op?
Co-op is more than an intership; it's a structured program which involves a partnership between the employer, the student, and the university. Engineering Co-op positions are three to nine months long and can be full-time or part-time work experiences. Learn more about the process in Employer Commitments and Requirements.
Co-op vs. Internship
A Co-op is a structured work experience which offers students academic credit. In order to maintain the highest quality program possible, employers and students must meet specific criteria to participate in the Engineering Co-op Program. Internships can qualify as a Co-op if the criteria below are met:
- Positions are three to nine months in length.
- The work is at least 50% engineering-related duties.
- The student employees are paid.
Employer Testimonials
“The program allows us to interact with students through various events and assists us in the communication process between the employer and the students. We consider this program a vital tool in HAL's College Recruiting efforts.”
—Recruiter, HAL Computer Systems
“We have been using the resources of the Engineering Co-op Program for many years. They present us with a pre-qualified pool of candidates. This allows us to effectively use our interview time to determine the best possible match.”
—Director of Hardware Development, Siemens Information & Communication Networks, Inc.
“We have had great success having students come down to our manufacturing plant. The two original co-ops who came to our site in the late '80s now sit on the Plant's Leadership Team. They are among the best and brightest stars of the company.”
—Human Resources, BBA Nonwovens Washougal, Inc.
Learn what students say about their Co-op experiences in Student Testimonials.
Log in to Experience online eRecruiting account
Contact Engineering Co-op
Employer Contact
Dawn Wiggin
Educational Program Manager, Engineering Co-op
Dawn Wiggin
(206) 543-8711
Student Contact
Ana Wieman
Counseling Services Coordinator, Engineering Co-op Program
wieman@u.washington.edu
(206) 685-1789
General Contact
Co-op front desk
Engineering Advising & Diversity Center
301 Loew Hall
engrcoop@u.washington.edu
(206) 543-1770