Cañada College
COOPERATIVE EDUCATION: A DEFINITION

Cooperative Education is a working partnership between the student-employee, the college, and the employer which enables students to earn college credit for learning on the job. The program creates a working-learning environment which is not normally possible in a college classroom.

BENEFITS

Cooperative Education has provided previous student-employees with a number of important benefits. Students have indicated the program increased their interest and motivation toward their jobs, and when objectives were completed they enjoyed a strong sense of achievement. In addition, their relationships and communication with their supervisors improved significantly.

For many student-employees, participation produced tangible results. Job promotions, more interesting and challenging assignments, salary increases, and greater job security resulted. Students also improved their grade point averages (GPA)while earning transfer units, up to 16 units toward their degrees, or up to 8 units toward a certificate.

However, the greatest long-term benefit of Cooperative Education is learning to set and reach challenging goals. A person who consistently sets and meets goals on the job or at school greatly increases his or her chances for success. This is a very important concept to put to use. When goal-setting becomes a habit, it will have a positive influence in many areas of one's life!

QUALIFYING FOR THE PROGRAM

To qualify for Cooperative Education, your college major or occupational goal must be related to your job responsibilities. In addition, you must be enrolled in a minimum of seven (7) units including Cooperative Education during the semester in which you are enrolled in the program. For example, if you anticipate earning 4 units of Co-op credit, you must be enrolled in an additional 3 units of course work. During the summer session the 7 unit requirement is reduced, and enrollment in any other course in addition to Co-op is sufficient.

To participate in the program, you must find your own job, which may be a paid or volunteer position. If you don't have a job at the time of registration, you must find one within the first two weeks of the semester. Self-employed students are eligible to participate if they can provide someone to objectively evaluate their work, and verify their hours.