Our internship program serves both students and employers. Students benefit by applying what is learned in the classroom to the real world of work. Employers benefit by being able to access a pool of qualified students that will bring knowledge, energy and enthusiasm to the workplace.
What is Cooperative Work Experience?
Cooperative Work Experience (Co-op) is the internship program at South Puget Sound Community College. Students earn credit by interning in a position related to their course of study or area of interest. The learning that takes place at the work site must be related to the student's educational goal. Co-op is designed to enhance awareness of career choices, to further develop skills specific to a student's future career and to allow personal and professional growth.
The goal of the Cooperative Work Experience program is to prepare students for the real world of work. College graduates are realizing that it takes more than a degree to get a good paying job. It takes work experience too.
Co-op is a coordinated effort between the student, work-site supervisor, and faculty coordinator. Students confer with their supervisor and faculty coordinator to develop a set of measurable learning objectives for the quarter. At the end of the quarter students are evaluated by the supervisor and faculty coordinator. A letter grade is awarded based on the learning objectives, employer evaluation and seminar assignments.
Please Note: Our program is often confused with the "Work Study Program." We are not affiliated with the work study program. Work study is a financial aid award. You must apply (and be determined eligible) for financial aid to receive work study as part of your award. Please see, Student Employment Services for more details. Students can receive Co-op credit for a work study job if it is related to their major.
The Cooperative Work Experience Office at South Puget Sound Community College is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Nondiscrimination to applicants and employees without regard to race or ethnicity; creed; color; national origin; sex; marital status; sexual orientation; age; religion; the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability; or whether a disabled or Vietnam era veteran.
We welcome feedback on our website, please contact Sally Murrow at smurrow@spscc.ctc.edu