Benefits of hiring Co-op/Interns

What is Cooperative Education?
Cooperative Education is an optional program that gives students the opportunity to integrate their academic studies with work experience. The program benefits students by providing them with meaningful part-time, pre-professional work experience and provides employers with capable and motivated students in a cost-effective manner.

 How does it work?
Employers can post their opportunities by logging onto PolyLINK ( https://poly-csm.symplicity.com/employers), the University's on-line job posting and web-based recruiting system.

What happens next?
Students review your posted position(s) and submit their resumes via your PolyLINK account. Depending on how you have set up your PolyLINK account, resumes can be either emailed directly to you or have them housed in your account for review.You may then selects students to be interviewed and contact them directly.

What are the employers' responsibilities?
The employer must notify Poly’s Co op Office 718-260-3650 when their position is filled so we may ensure that it is no longer being advertised. Employers are expected to provide pre professional, study-related work experience with clearly defined duties, goals, and supervision. Supervisors are asked to complete an evaluation questionnaire at the end of each semester that the student works. The student will provide the evaluation form to his/her supervisor. If problems of any kind arise, the employer should feel free to contact the Co op Coordinator.

Who are the students?
Undergraduates and Graduates from all majors may participate in the Co op/Internship program. All students must be in good academic standing and fully matriculated. Students are assigned a Co op Counselor who monitors their progress and outlines their responsibilities to the employer and to the Co op/Internship program. Students have received Career Counseling and resume critiques before they are eligible for Co op/Internship referral.

How do employers handle compensation and benefits?
Co op/Internship students usually work an average of 15 to 20 hours per week while attending classes, and full-time hours during school breaks or summer vacations. Competitive salaries are established by the employer. In 2007, the average hourly salary for Undergraduates in our program was $15.00. Customary payroll taxes may be withheld and students must be covered by the employer’s worker compensation policy. Students are NOT eligible for unemployment benefits. Students earn a Co op work experience notation on their transcript.

May an employer hire an international student?
Yes, without any extra paperwork for the employer. International students are eligible to work in study-related positions up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session and full-time hours during vacations. After a job offer is made, the student must meet with Poly’s International Student Advisor and be able to provide work authorization documents to the employer. Social Security benefits should not be withheld for these students.

FOR THE EMPLOYER

Highly motivated students Cost-effective employment Recruitment possibilities Technically-trained students An educational/industrial alliance FOR THE STUDENT Opportunity for career exploration Enhanced learning experiences Introduction to workplace culture Supervision and mentoring Competitive salaries

SAMPLE CO-OP/INTERNSHIP POSITIONS

Web Designer Financial Analyst Civil Engineering Assistant Network Developer Packaging Technician Development Intern Assistant to Supervisor Summer Technology Analyst Programmer Mechanical Engineer Intern Engineering Aide Management Intern Information Technology Intern Structural Management Intern Computer Science Intern HR/Staff Developer Intern

REPRESNTATIVE CO-OP EMPLOYERS

Alliance Consulting Bayer Computer Associates DMJM + Harris IBM Keyspan Merril Lynch Northrop Grumman Pall Corporation SIAC Bank of NY Colgate-Palmolive Con Edison Goldman Sachs & Co. JP Morgan Chase Long Island Railroad MTA PaineWebber Port Authority of NY & NJ Xerox