Program Overview
The College of Science and Engineering Co-op Program connects the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering with companies across the nation. It is designed to provide students with the best education possible while exposing each student to a variety of engineering experiences within a given company.
Involving students in diverse work situations during their academic career, while helping them improve their technical writing skills, transferable skills, and professionalism, is a unique opportunity for both industry and students.
Students enroll in a 2 credit online course during their work periods. Academic assignments include various reports and oral presentations. More information about academic expectations can be found on the required co-op courses page.
Goals of the Co-op Program
Gain Real-World Work Experience
The program gives students an opportunity to apply some of their knowledge of fundamental theory to practical problem-solving. It helps students select a direction in the broad field of engineering and motivates them to plan and successfully complete their academic program.
Improve Transferable Skills
Students take online courses which cover a diverse set of material including effective business writing, engineering ethics, networking, teamwork, the patent process, the business model canvas, and dealing with conflicts at work. Some of the assignments in the course require students to conduct short interviews with colleagues and talk to their supervisor.
Benefits of the Co-op Program
For Employers
- Access to students before they enter the job market as a graduate engineer
- The opportunity to observe students as a Co-op employee before making the commitment of a permanent hire
- The opportunity to train individuals in your particular methods
- Advertisement for your company to students in the College of Science & Engineering
For Students
- Development of technical writing skills through the Co-op coursework
- Application of classroom theory
- Exploration of career goals and options
- Networking within the company and industry in general
- Development of maturity and social skills
- Financial support for their college education
