Graduate Catalog 2010-12
Cooperative
Education Program
Cooperative Education is a program offered through the Center
for Advising & Career Exploration (CACE), located in Willard Hall. This
program integrates classroom study with career-related work experiences. Co-op work
experiences are paid, full-time, six-month positions related to academic and
career interests. Co-op is an optional and, in most cases, non-credit program.
CCSU's program combines five months
of on-campus study with six months of paid Co-op employment. Thus, students
apply textbook learning to on-the-job training. The money earned often helps
students finance their University educations.
Co-op students are assigned to an
Advising and Career Exploration Specialist who guides their career development
and develops appropriate Co-op placements. In the Career Development Seminar
students receive instruction in skills that make the difference in today's job
market: résumé writing, interviewing techniques, career planning, and
job-seeking strategies.
Through participation in the Co-op
program, students can graduate with up to two years of career-related work
experience and, possibly, with a job offer. A sizeable number of Central
Connecticut State University's Co-op students are offered permanent positions
with their Co-op employers upon graduation. Nationwide, graduates of Co-op
programs are hired at higher salaries and promoted faster than other employees.
For students unsure of a career, Co-op is a no-risk way to test job options.
For those set in their goals, Co-op provides a direct route from campus to
career.
How Co-op Works
- Co-op work blocks run from January
through June (Group A) and from July to December (Group B).
- Students may participate in one, two,
three, or four Co-op work blocks.
- Students must enroll in a Co-op Career
Development Seminar during the semester prior to the first work
experience.
Enrolling in the Co-op
Program
Once
enrolled at Central Connecticut State University, the first step in becoming a
Co-op student is to visit the Center for Advising & Career Exploration
website at www.ccsu.edu/cace. Students should call 860-832-1615 to meet with a
Specialist to formally enroll in the program. This gives students an
opportunity to ask questions. Students should plan to enroll in the program at
least one semester prior to the first planned work block. Group A students must
apply no later than the third week of the fall semester; Group B students must
apply no later than the third week of the spring semester. Applying a semester
in advance of the work block ensures: 1) a place in the program; 2) sufficient
time for the CACE staff to develop appropriate Co-op positions; and 3)
sufficient time for students to complete the Career Development Seminar prior
to their work experiences.
The Career Development
Seminar
The Career Development Seminar is designed to teach students
life-long career skills. They learn to write a résumé, interview effectively,
make career decisions, explore occupations and discover where the jobs are in
their fields. This one-credit course is taught by the CACE staff.
Cost and Eligibility
The Co-op program is available to all full- and part-time
students in good academic standing. Participating students are required to
pay a $200 administrative fee each semester they are working in the field as a
Co-op student.
