<p>Northeastern is one of my top 3 schools- mainly because of their COOP Program. I heard all about it at their open house, but can someone please give me a general overview on how it works? Am I correct in saying you would graduate already having some work experience?</p>
<p>You are correct that co-op is a chance to get work experience before you graduate. In general, you can do 2 co-ops in a 4 year program or 3 co-ops in a 5 year program. You take a 1 credit class to prepare your resume, interviewing skills, and learn about the co-op process. Then you apply for jobs through the co-op database. Or, you can also find something on your own. You then submit your resume to various places and then go through the interview process just like for real job.</p>
<p>What you do on co-op depends on the field/major you are in. (What’s your potential major?) I am most familiar with the science side of things, so if you’re in that realm I could provide you with more information.</p>
<p>Most co-ops are paid. The exceptions are usually ones working for non-profits or in the entertainment industry. The amount varies, as well. Many research positions pay $10-12 an hour, but working in industry with a computer science or engineering major can earn $20 an hour, even up to $30/hr.</p>
<p>Is there anything else in particular that you want to know or have questions about?</p>
<p>Nanotechnology,
Do you have any information on Coops for chemistry majors?</p>
<p>Looking at the positions that are currently posted on the co-op site for chemistry, I see a position working for a winery in California, a research assistant at the Harvard School of Public Health, numerous positions at pharmaceutical companies, and jobs at engineering companies, to give you a sense of what is out there. There are options in both industry and academic research, and you could go more in the direction of engineering if that interests you.</p>
<p>Thanks so much! That really clarified some stuff. Do you have any Coop info for a Bio major or anything Pre-Med related?</p>
<p>As a neuroscience major and former pre-med, that’s probably the area I know best.</p>
<p>The main types of bio-related co-ops are in research labs or pharmaceutical companies. The pharma jobs usually pay better, but the research co-ops often give you more chances for independence, critical thinking, etc. and depending on what direction you want to go after graduation, they can be more beneficial on your resume. (Take this with a grain of salt since it’s not hard fact, and realize that there is huge variation as to the expectations and responsibilities within each of theses areas for co-ops.)</p>
<p>On the pre-med side, research is still a good option, since medical schools now like to see that students have research experience. Pre-meds are also often looking for clinical co-ops, but these can be limited. Unless you have some certification like EMT or CNA, you won’t be able to have patient contact type co-ops. There are co-ops in clinical settings that will give you exposure to working in such a setting and give you a chance to see doctors in action, but the work you would be doing would be mostly clerical-type stuff. (Not co-op related, but another great way to get clinical experience is volunteering, and there are some great volunteer programs at some great hospitals right near campus in the Longwood medical area.)</p>
<p>In case anyone interested in the non-profit realm reads this, let me just say that I did all three of my co-ops at international non-profits based in and around Boston and they were all paid. $10-$13/hour (except for my first one, which had a $4,000 stipend). If you decide to do an unpaid co-op, then you usually do it part-time, 20 hours/week so you have time for another paid job.</p>