What is a Co-op?
Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a structured educational program, blending classroom learning with practical work experience. It provides structured and progressive work experience through multiple semesters of work. Co-op positions are always paid. Undergraduate students register for one academic credit for each semester they are working, which allows them to maintain their full-time student status. Many students working under the Co-op Program are engineering students, but openings are available for other majors as well.

Key Features:
There are two Co-op work options:

Alternating- Students alternate between full-time semesters of work and full-time semesters of academic study. To complete the program, three alternating semesters of work are required for undergraduate engineering students; two are required for undergraduate students in non-engineering majors and graduate students. Note: Back-to-back semesters of work are considered to be valuable work experiences, but cannot be included as part of a student's co-op program. The University Cooperative Education Program is designed around the premise that the timing of the students' work experiences and academic coursework facilitates a developmental relationship and greatly enhances the overall educational experience. Back-to-back semesters of full-time work do not allow for the necessary period of academic coursework and, therefore, cannot be included as part of the co-op program. They are, instead, considered as extended internships and included as part of our Internship Program.

Parallel- Students work an average of 20 hours per week within commutable distance of the Gainesville area, while continuing to attend class full time. To complete the program, six semesters of parallel experience are required for undergraduate engineering students, and four are required for undergraduate students in non-engineering majors and graduate students.

Program Requirements:

• Maintain a 2.0 GPA at UF (some employers may require a higher GPA).
• Complete at least 30 semester hours at UF prior to the first work term. Transfer and graduate students must have completed at least one semester at UF prior to their first term.
• Verify with your academic advisor that there is sufficient time remaining in your academic program to complete the required number of co-op work assignments.

• Complete the mandatory online Co-op Orientation, which details program registration, and how to obtain a co-op position.
• Register with Gator CareerLink.
• Set up a file with the Co-op Office, located in the Career Resource Center.
• Review the current semester’s co-op openings in the online Co-op Database and review work reports, available in Section 9 of the CRC Library.
• Conduct research on organizations by reviewing employer literature in the CRC Library and through the Internet.

• The Career Showcase, held each spring & fall semester, or one of the CRC's many other Career Fairs.
• Check with your academic department for possible contacts.
• Contact companies on your own through e-mail, via phone or personal networking contacts.