<p>I'm pretty certain that I'll end up attending Northeastern, but my dad tells me that though he likes the idea of the co-op program in theory, I shouldn't factor that in to my college choice, since from what he's read online, either (1) not many people get into co-op or (2) while in the co-op program, they can't find co-ops and end up going to classes instead.</p>
<p>Anyone willing to offer testimonials about the subject?</p>
<p>Although there is no guarantee of a coop, the advisers at CBA orientation said they had to turn many companies away because there were not enough students to fill the slots. Also, if you read the news lately, having real work experience when you graduate will significantly increase your chances of finding a good job after you graduate. I haven’t heard of business and engineering students not finding coops and a few even get plum jobs at consulting firms and investment banks.</p>
<p>One caveat. Don’t expect to make enough from coop to help pay for college. It is enough to cover your living expenses while working and maybe a bit more. But that’s all.</p>
<p>Occasionally, an individual may not find a co-op, and obviously highly desired co-ops are more competitive than less desired ones. However, as long as you’re having reasonable academic success and apply to realistic co-ops, you shouldn’t have a problem getting in. Most majors have some kind of experiential education requirement, which is filled by co-op the vast majority of the time.</p>
<p>I have no idea why your dad thinks that getting into co-op is overly difficult. He may be looking at co-op programs at other universities, where all students aren’t encouraged to go on co-op.</p>
<p>Dad is wrong. Get a good GPA, have something on your resume (on-campus jobs are a good place to start) even though obviously it won’t be super relevant to your field as co-op is your first real work experience. Co-op is a major component of northeastern, it should absolutely factor into your decision.</p>
<p>Thanks to everybody to all of the great advice! Maybe he’ll listen to you guys instead of me… /crosses fingers</p>
<p>Everyone at Northeastern has the opportunity to apply for co-ops. Not everyone gets one exactly when they want to, but most people do. You do have to go through a normal application process, submit a resume, interview, etc. If there is nothing at all on your resume (a poor GPA, never had any sort of summer job or anything, etc.) then you will obviously have a more difficult time finding one right away. The number of opportunities available also depends on your major. Overall, the positions you’re applying for will be equivalent to internship positions, with the exception that they are for six months instead of over a summer.</p>
<p>One huge benefit I see is that often you’re competing against a smaller pool of applicants for a co-op than you would be for a regular summer internship. When I applied for my co-op at a large company, I was primarily up against other Northeastern students, who were mostly in my major. This is a much smaller group of applicants than a summer internship where people from all different schools are applying.</p>
<p>I didn’t come here solely because of the co-op program, but it really is a huge benefit. I personally am only on a one co-op program (my own choice, since I’d like to graduate in four years). I have an interview for a full-time position this week with the employer I did my co-op at. You can get similar experience with summer internships. But they are often harder to get, and you have to leave the company after only a few months. Take other factors into consideration when choosing a school, but Northeastern’s co-op program is a definite plus.</p>
<p>I have not yet had a coop, but from what I have heard one of the biggest “problems” with Coop is that you the student need to do the work to find your coop, make a resume, interview, etc. Some students wait for someone to do all of this for them and they never get a coop and/or get a very bad coop.</p>
<p>-I graduated from the CBA (spring 2009) into one of the worst job markets ever…the national unemployment rate was hovering around 10%. </p>
<p>-I did two separate co-op’s while at Northeastern. I’m 27 years old and have never been unemployed in my life.</p>
<p>-I don’t know of any classmates that did not do at least 1 co-op. The school has a mandatory 1 credit co-op class that teaches you how to write a resume and get a job. </p>
<p>-You are provided with a co-op advisor that works with you and helps you find co-op’s that are interesting/suited to you and your abilities.</p>
<p>-Conclusion: It’s really not a matter of whether or not you will get a co-op. Rather, it’s a matter of what you’re willing to do in order to get the best co-op you can. The higher paying and prestigious co-op’s are obviously more competitive…go out and fight for it. Don’t ever put yourself into a box that limits your progress. You want it? Go get it.</p>
<p>My D is currently applying and interviewing for her first coop position. I can’t believe the opportunities that are available to her - great positions, in high profile companies. Some of the positions are jobs that would not be available to many entry level graduates. From what I can see, as long as you are diligent, take coop seriously and get to know your coop advisor (key) then chances are that you will secure a position. She was asked to arrive on campus the first day of school this year with an interview suit and two business casual outfits. She attended er first networking even during the second week of school…coop is taken very seriously here.</p>
<p>^momofboston</p>
<p>If you don’t mind me asking, what is your daughter’s major and what year is she in at Northeastern? I would guess she is looking for a coop for next semester and if your paperwork is in the university has you preparing the fall before? I am just interested in the process. My son is a senior in high school and will be visiting this month.
Thanks</p>
<p>My son is a Sophomore and will be on coop next semester.</p>
<p>He was home for the long weekend and we spent yesterday looking at the coop listings. He is a Math/Economics major. There were over 500 listings for that major. I had him adjust for only ones that paid, were in Boston and didn’t require a car, and were not at the advanced level. I did this not because he is going to be that picky but we had limited time! </p>
<p>That knocked the number down to around one hundred. There were some very interesting jobs in there and some that he had no interest in. If none of the ones he likes pan out he can expand his search to other areas and think about a non-paying one-however most of them are paid.</p>
<p>He is taking the required coop class right now. He has his resume done and has been learning all about the process this semester. His coop adviser was a former corporate recruiter and she knows what she is doing-very impressive. When we talked about the process over the weekend and we offered advice he already seemed to know much of what we had to offer! We even had to go get him some new clothes since what he had wasn’t going to cut it-at least per her. :)</p>
<p>I think his major would not offer as many opportunities as business or engineering for a couple of examples based on what he told me. </p>
<p>His resume has been deemed ready to send and he will be applying starting this week. I am very pleased so far with how they have handled everything-I feel if he doesn’t get a coop that he will benefit from and that he likes it will be more due to him than the lack of opportunity. So far the whole process has both excited him and made him more focused-it has been a great learning experience.</p>
<p>^Pepper03</p>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed description of the process and his experiences so far. It sounds like Northeastern is doing a great job preparing the students.</p>
<p>Happy to help. The coop is an integral part of this program-although you are not required to do a traditional 6 month coop to fulfill the experiential learning requirement I hope my son does two if not the three they can do.</p>
<p>When he was looking at schools he didn’t like the idea of not being part of a class-with the way things are at NEU after freshman year friends could be all over the place. They could be in Boston in classes, overseas in classes, on a coop in Boston or anywhere including all around the world-in short it is not your typical “class” but it is very much a college experience with a twist! He has come to embrace the whole thing-if it is the right fit for you it is a wonderful place to be.</p>
<p>I will let you know how the process is going when I have any more news!</p>
<p>There are also more co-op positions posted as the semester progresses and employers submit them, too, so I’m betting there will be far more than 500 for your son to look at, and the co-op advisors keep you posted of ones they think will be good for you to look at.</p>
<p>I’m currently on my first co-op. I was relieved by how streamlined the process is, but then I didn’t end up using it to get this co-op! I am doing research, and I got the position because I had volunteered in the professor’s lab the previous year. I’m hoping to do my next co-op abroad.</p>
<p>My D’s major is business - I am pleasantly surprised at how well prepared she is to enter the workforce. As Pepper mentioned, there were quite a few very interesting positions available - her coop adviser is also responsible for bringing in the marketing coop jobs to NU.</p>