Employer Information
The Russ College of Engineering and Technology's Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) is centralized for all departments. Employers need only contact us to request credentials on available candidates in engineering, industrial technology, and computer science.
What do students expect?
- Degree-related and paid work experience
- Supervisors who understand the co-op concept
- Performance evaluation and feedback
- A good-faith commitment to work at least two quarters
Back to Top
What do employers expect?
- Russ College candidates meet or exceed the following minimum requirements: 2.5 engineering and overall GPA (2.75 for chemical engineering)
- 45 earned credit hours (minimum) at the time of placement
- A good-faith commitment to work a minimum of two worksite quarters (most students work for three or four)
- A friendly co-op staff who will provide credentials in a timely manner, coordinate on-campus interviews, prepare and post job notices, maintain company literature and job descriptions, and assist employers in contacting students
Back to Top
When do students work?
Ohio University is on a quarter system with 10-week sessions. The 6-week break between fall and winter quarters, however, extends each of these quarters to 16 weeks. The 6-week break alone does not count as a co-op work period. Because students receive academic credit for each work assignment, the work period must be at least 10 weeks. Students work either alternating or back-to-back quarters, usually spring/summer or summer/fall.
Back to Top
How do I participate?
- The Co-op Office in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology now uses eRecruiting®, a web-based, 24/7 comprehensive career management system.
- Print out instructions on creating your eRecruiting® account.
- Here's the web site where you create your eRecruiting® account: http://russ.erecruiting.com/er/security/login.jsp.
Back to Top
What are Co-op students paid?
Co-op students earn more than interns or summer part-time help. Pay is determined by many factors: company, major, number of work assignments, academic rank. The average hourly pay is about $14.55. Employers who pay a lower hourly rate, however, may help with tuition, books, housing, transportation, or travel expenses. Rates of pay are determined by the employer, typically two-thirds of what a beginning bachelor’s degree graduate would earn.
Back to Top
What are the employer’s responsibilities?
- Guarantee a degree-related job
- Employ the student at least two quarters
- Provide an orientation for the student: policies, procedures, responsibilities related to the position
- Provide a supportive supervisor: set goals and make a plan
- Provide feedback: complete the evaluation form provided by the co-op office and discuss with the student
- Contact the co-op office if problems arise
- Assist the co-op office in ensuring that students are registered with the University during each work quarter
Back to Top
