Creating a Co-op or Internship Program at Your Company
Creating an internship or co-op program at your company is an excellent recruitment tool that creates a pipeline of future employees. The following can be used as a guide to ensure a quality internship experience for both you and the student you hire.
- Create a job description.
Students should be assigned pre-professional level work in which they are actively involved in a project. The nature of the position should be clearly described, including specific responsibilities and the department or division to which the student will be assigned. When applicable, examples of special projects should also be included. - Identify the qualifications the students must possess.
Some employers request that a student have a strong interest in the field, while others require specific coursework or evidence of certain skills or qualities. Related experience is generally not expected, since the objective of an internship or co-op is to provide such experience. - Develop a training plan.
While students bring academic preparation to their co-op or internship, they will need orientation and training in their specific responsibilities. A good training plan includes a progression of assignments reflecting students' developing competencies. Employers who formulate well-designed training plans can count on an excellent return for these efforts. - Identify a supervisor and mentor for the student.
A supervisor should have direct responsibility for training and evaluating the student on the job. A mentor, who may or may not be the student's supervisor, can provide guidance to the "apprentice" in other ways, such as assisting with the student's professional development needs. - Determine the time commitment.
Students are available on either a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time positions will require the students to take time off from classes and should be timed around the University of Washington academic calendar. Full-time positions should begin in late September, early January, early April, or mid June. - Establish the salary.
Salaries should reflect the nature of the work performed. It is common for companies to also pay for the credit fee ($330 for undergraduates, $425 for graduate students) to encourage students to participate in the Engineering Co-op & Internship Program and earn engineering credits for their work experience. Some organizations also provide benefits such as a bus pass, housing assistance, or relocation benefits. - Work with the Engineering Co-op & Internship Program.
An engineering-related work experience registered through the Program provides structure and academic relevance to a typical “internship” work experience. Engineering Co-op & Internship Program staff assist companies in recruiting students and provide services to employers such as on-campus interviewing, information sessions, and target student groups. Program staff check in with employers throughout the students' work experience to ensure both student and employer expectations are being met. Although services for employers are free, many employers reimburse students for the $330 Engineering Co-op credit fee. - Contact the Engineering Co-op & Internship Program to get started.
(See contact info at right.)
Log-in to your Employer Engineering Co-op & Internship Account
Contact Engineering Co-op
Ana Wieman,
Engineering Co-op & Internship Program
(206) 685-1789
330 Loew Hall
wieman@uw.edu
Roy Chan,
Engineering Co-op & Internship Program
(206) 685-0385
336 Loew Hall
engrcoop@uw.edu