Values to the Student

• Validation of interests, clarification of career goals, and testing aptitudes by having the opportunity to apply classroom theories with practical applications.
• Improvement of academic performance as course work is perceived as more relevant and meaningful.
• Exposure to specialized facilities and equipment not afforded at the college.
• Increased confidence, maturity, reponsibility and skill in human relations through interpersonal communications during the work experience.
• Greater career satisfaction through being able to sample various professional environments while still in college.
• Accumulation of a semester or more of professional work experience prior to graduating.
• Advantage of earning partial education costs through paid Co-op positions.
• Cooperative Education course credits count as unspecified electives, fulfill the experience-based education graduation requirement, and, with faculty approval, can fulfill up to six credits of option elective requirements.

"In the beginning of my first semester of Co-op Education, I started taking Organic Chemistry I and began to think, 'Where will I ever use this in my life?' A few weeks later I was at my Co-op Education research assistant position at Bristol-Myers-Squibb, looking in the investigator's brochure for a new drug, and right there I saw what I was currently learning about in class. The drug I was researching was listed with its nomenclature, R versus S configuration, and single enantiomer versus a racemic mixture. I was pleasantly surprised that I am taking classes that are completely relevant to what my future occupation will be."

- Carla Peragin
Co-op Student