<p>I am really considering going to Georgia Tech because I heard they had an amazing co-op program. I want a co-op because I am not entirely sure as to what branch of chemical engineering I want to do and I was hoping that a few work terms would help me figure this out. However, recently I've heard that students at Georgia Tech typically spend 3 co-op cycles with the same company. This would limit the amount of varying job experience for me which in my opinion is bad. My question is, how true is that statement and how hard would it be to switch companies every co-op cycle? </p>
<p>Yes, it looks like you are expected to do at least 3 cycles with the first employer, after which you can change once or twice. Take a look at GT’s frequently asked questions below, question 11 addresses this.
<a href=“http://www.coop.gatech.edu/FAQ.html”>http://www.coop.gatech.edu/FAQ.html</a></p>
<p>:-bd </p>
<p>That’s what I was looking at but I was hoping that someone attending the school could confirm or deny that statement. The FAQ could be more of a suggestion. I was also wondering how hard it would be to not have 3 cycles with one employer. I’m not entirely sure if GT just doesn’t like it or if they don’t allow it.</p>
<p>It would seem to me what you really should do is Internships. The whole point of the co-ops is to go back to the same company at least 3 times.</p>
<p>That’s not always the point of co-ops. Co-ops are meant to provide a student with job experience but not necessarily with just one employer. In my opinion they are better since they typically pay better and give the experience of a full time job doing real work. In co-ops, the university works with the students and employers to help get the students hired making the overall process easier. From what I’ve seen, Georgia Tech is the only major co-op school that does this. The others I’ve applied to, Drexel and RIT, provide different experiences so that students can figure out what they like.</p>
<p>DS goes to GT. When we went to the information session about co-ops last year they said that it was for a certain company for 3 or more times. The employer is committing to the student for x times. Unless of course the student can’t perform. They said if you want to work at different companies then you should do internships instead. GT also works to help kids get internships.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.gtip.gatech.edu/”>http://www.gtip.gatech.edu/</a></p>
<p>Here is what they say about co-ops. Note they want you to work 1 year with the same employer.
“1.) What is co-op?
At Georgia Tech, the co-op program is an academic program in which students work at least three alternating semesters in a position related to their major. Co-ops gain at least a year’s worth of experience with the same employer and earn a competitive salary while working. Co-oping allows participants to build a powerful resume, to develop a network of professional contacts, and to gain a truly complete education. Students who successfully complete this form of enhanced education receive a co-op designation on their degree and are recognized for their accomplishment during the commencement ceremony.”</p>
<p>Here is what they say about Internships.
- What is the Georgia Institute of Technology Internship Program?
“The Georgia Institute of Technology Internship Program is an academic program designed to complement a student’s formal education with practical work experience. The internships are single-semester, major related full-time or part-time work experiences that help students better understand the “real world” applications of their academic studies. Involvement in the GT Internship program requires a commitment of full-time or part-time employment for a minimum of sixteen weeks for the fall or spring semesters, or twelve weeks for the summer term. Interns typically work for one semester, with the flexibility of participating in multiple internships, and in some cases, have the option working for two consecutive terms (e.g. spring and summer or summer and fall). Full time work assignments are for a minimum of thirty five hours per week, and part time assignments require at least twenty hours of work per week.”</p>
<p>I go to Tech so I understand this. I’m not engineering, but friends of mine who are, tell me that most people who commit to a co-op don’t finish it and instead jump ship halfway through to move to a better company and get more work experience. This is frowned upon, but it happens all the time. Internships are usually the better option because they pay better and have more flexibility, but they’re also more competitive than co-ops.</p>
<p>On a different note, if you complete a co-op it usually leads to a full time offer.</p>