Employment & Internships

The term "cooperative work experience" (or "Co-Op") refers to a type of educational program that combines classroom instruction with supervised real-world experience.  Depending on the course requirements for the degree plan, students who are enrolled in a co-op course receive two to three credits toward an Associate of Applied Science degree or a Professional Certificate that qualifies.  Cooperative Work Experiences are elective for certain workforce programs, but are required for others.

Strong collaboration between the student, employer, and Collin College makes co-ops viable.  Students may use their current, relevant work for co-op credit or receive aid with job searching; however, the position and employer must first be authorized by a Workforce Program Career Coach or Faculty member.  If a Co-Op is not included in your career program, you can search Cougar Student Jobs for potential internship listings. 

Click here to go to the website to look for jobs where you can work for Collin College. 

What is the difference between Internships and Co-Ops?

Internships:

• No credit awarded to college 

• Can be longer than one semester

• Can be at any time in the program

Co-Ops:

• Usually the last semester before graduation

• Will give student 3 college credit hours

• Required to work 320 hours for the three credit hours

• Required to work 160 hours for the two credit hours

Common to Both:

• Student has to be willing to seek employer and are not chosen by Career Coaches

• Can be either Part Time or Full Time

• Gives student exposure to Industry Experts

• Recommended to seek a paid position

Co-Op eligibility checklist:

• Have chosen a major and are pursuing a certificate or degree to enter the workforce

• Are currently enrolled in at least one three-credit course and have completed at least one full semester at Collin College

• Co-op is listed as a mandatory course (or recommended optional) in the major's AAS degree or certificate program

• 2.5 or better overall GPA

• At the proper time in the degree plan's progression (usually the semester before graduation)

• Have a job lined up (paid or volunteer) related to your field of study

• International students must fulfill extra criteria; more information may be found from the relevant career coach.

Course requirements:

• Work and record 320 hours overall throughout the course of the semester (16 weeks during long semester and 10 weeks over the summer) for the 3 credit hour co-op.

• Work and record 160 hours overall throughout the course of the semester (16 weeks during long semester and 10 weeks over the summer) for the 2 credit hour co-op.

• Prepare and carry out 5 objectives based on competencies while working

• Attend 16 hours of workshops for professional growth and submit evaluation forms

• A 3-5 page reflection paper is required.

• Plan and attend two on-site meetings with your boss and academic advisor.

Getting Started

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility by meeting with your Career Coach the semester before you graduate (at least 8 weeks before the semester ends).

Step 2: After your first meeting with your Career Coach, you will find a job.

Step 3: Before registering for the Co-Op course, meet with your career coach with your completed Employer Statement Commitment Letter and examine the prerequisites. 

* Prior to trying to find a Co-Op or a job, international students must speak with a career coach.

** For eligibility criteria, international students must get in touch with the international student office.

FLEXTECH IT Apprenticeship Opportunities:

FlexTech is a program within Collin College that helps the IT students at collin college with interviews, resumes, and internships. Since getting the first job is always the toughest, this program helps students get those first jobs to help the students create and update their resume.

Dr. Tara Lewis

TNLewis@collin.edu

469-365-809