Hello, I am a future aerospace engineering undergrad and I was wondering if someone would be so kind as to explain this to me. The school I plan to go to has a very strong emphasis in co-op and internship programs for undergrads, and I know what an internship is, but how is a co-op different? I know they are both work experiences. Thanks for any replies! And any stories from recent grads or current undergrads on how to get them would be great!
First, there are no hard rules differentiating one from the other - two companies can offer identical work experiences but one will call it an internship while the other will call it a co-op.
That having been said:
An internship is usually over the summer, may or may not be paid (usually is in engineering), and is usually a one-time commitment - you show up for 2-3 months, get paid, and leave with no promise or expectation of returning. You can do internships with multiple companies without prolonging your studies, but will have relatively shallow work experience.
A co-op is usually during and in place of regular academic semesters, is paid, and is usually a multi-semester commitment - you alternate spending semesters at the company and at school, getting paid the whole time. You get a much better look and deeper experience at a single company over 2-3 semesters, but you also prolong your time at school for a like period of time, and depending on university policy may still be required to pay some tuition even while you are away on co-op.
I cannot offer any advice on getting on - I entered school with prior work experience and therefore did neither.
While the two terms are often used interchangeably here are some off the differences:
Coops are almost always paid (especially in engineering). Internships may be paid or unpaid.
Coops are full time jobs lasting 4 to 6 months done while the student is not taking classes. Internships are more likely shorter term and may be full time or part time while the student is in class. Some internships are summer only.
Coops are expected to be productive for their employer. Interns may involve shadowing and training only.
Internships can be productive, and many are carefully designed research projects that a student could complete in an 8-10 week period. The best summer internships that I have seen were research projects that contributed to work that was eventually published with the student being on the author list.
I know a recent student who did two summer internships working in a materials lab, doing testing of new polymer formulations for wire insulation. He had also done a coop that extended through the summer, so he was working from January through August. I believe his school only required a registration fee to maintain him as a current student during that time. He did graduate after 9 semesters instead of 8, but only paid tuition for 8.
To find these positions, start with your career center at school. They should have lists of places where previous students have found coops or internships. You can also do your own searches looking at the websites of companies near school, or in a region you would like to work.
When these were presented at my son’s school they said that an internship will include what the company chooses the experience to be. The quality is up to the company. Internships may also be paid or unpaid. Coops are usually paid and the school had requirements for what the student does. So while a kid could end up getting coffee and such for an internship this wouldn’t be acceptable for a coop. As was previously mentioned there is a tuition charge and credit earned for a coop but not for an Internship. My son has a paid internship for the summer that based on performance may become a coop next semester. I guess we may see if there is a difference.