Cooperative Work Assignments

The purpose of this option is to offer students the opportunity for an extended learning experience with a distributor or manufacturer. It also is intended to offer host companies the opportunity to introduce college students to their business and groom them for possible future full-time employment.

Co-op assignments are made for six months beginning July 1 and January 2. Co-op students are considered bona fide employees of their host companies. They are paid by their host company at a rate determined by the company and are expected to work a minimum of 40 hours per week for a 24-week period.

Students are expected to honor host company policies and procedures, as would any other employee. They also are responsible for their own insurance coverage during the period of the cooperative assignment.

Host companies are not obliged to enter into any contractual arrangement with the University or the Industrial Distribution Program. However, it is expected that host companies would help their students find affordable housing that is safe and within a reasonable commuting distance. Since the co-op assignment is intended to be an educational experience, tasks assigned to students should be educationally rewarding as well as useful to the company.

Companies desiring co-op students should contact the Industrial Distribution Management Program Office at least two months prior to the time they wish to have students assigned to them. Subsequently, host companies need notify the Program office only when they have made their selection of a cooperative student.