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Co-operative work experience (co-op)

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What is Cooperative Work Experience Education?

 

Co-op is an academic course that allows you to earn elective credit for learning that takes place at your job or internship. You can earn up to 16 Co-op units.

COOP FAQs


How do I enroll in Co-op Education?

Step 1: Complete and return a Co-op Application before the start of term. There are two ways to get a Co-op application:

1. Download the Co-op Application.

2. Pick up an application from Career & Employment Services, located in the                     Student Services Center, Room 138.

Once completed, you can drop off the application, return it by mail, or scan and email it to: careerservices@dvc.edu.

Step 2: Get your section number. We will send your Co-op section number by email.

Step 3: Enroll. You can enroll on onilne using WebAdvisor or at the Admissions and Records office. Refer to the Schedule of Classes for the time and day of the one-time mandatory Orientation sessions.

Step 4: Attend an orientation* on the first day of class and pick up a Student Handbook from Career & Employment Services.

*ALL students must attend an orientation session. Student who do not attend will be dropped from the course. The remainder of the course is hours by arrangement with your Co-op instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Why should I enroll in COOP?

2. How do I enroll in COOP?

3. Do I have to have a job/internship before enrolling in Co-op?

4. Do I have to attend an orientation?

5. What if the orientation time conflicts with another class?

6. What is the difference between all of the Co-op courses?

7. How many hours do I have to work?

8. How do I write objectives?

9. My boss has questions about Co-op. What should I do?

1. Why should I enroll in COOP? Why not? Recent data shows that 58% of students who participate in work experience education are offered full-time positions with higher starting salaries upon graduation. In addition to developing key employability skills, COOP is a great resume builder and is CSU transferable.

2. How do I enroll in COOP?

3. Do I have to have a job/internship before enrolling in Co-op?  Yes. A student's course number and objectives are very specific to a particular job. If you need help finding a part-time, full-time or internship position, please visit Career & Employment Services or register for our online job board to search for jobs posted specifically for DVC students!

4. Do I have to attend an orientation? Students that are new to COOP must attend an orientation session prior to the start of class. Returning students who successfully completed COOP with a B or higher in the term prior to the current term are excused from orientation.

5. What if the orientation time conflicts with another class? No problem! Please contact Career & Employment Services so that we help you to determine an orientation time that meets your schedule. 925-586-1230 x2435.

6. What is the difference between all of the Co-op courses? Great question! There are three COOP Courses offered at DVC. Which one you take depends on how your position is linked to your career/academic goals and also how many hours/week that you work. To sum it up:

• COOP 160 is for students whose jobs DO NOT relate to their college major or career goal.
• COOP 170 is for students whose jobs RELATE to their college major or career goals.
• COOP 170A is for students in a volunteer position or internship.

7. How many hours do I have to work? Another great question! The number of hours that you work dictates the number of units that you can receive. Not all COOP Courses are offered for the same number of units so it really does depend on which course you are eligible to take. Come on in to C&E and we'll help you determine how many hours would work for you!  

8. How do I write objectives? Your questions just get better and better! Your objectives are realistic and specific goals that you set out to accomplish during your enrollment in COOP. You will work with your faculty member and also your site supervisor to determine what objectives would help you meet the requirements for the course. If you are already working at your COOP site, we encourage you to start thinking now about what projects you might want to take on, training that you would like to receive or other ideas that you have to make your workplace more efficient.

9. My boss has questions about Co-op. What should I do? First we recommend that you read the COOP site for employers to better understand the program. Then we recommend that you share this information verbally with your supervisor and also refer him/her to the site. If s/he has remaining questions about COOP, please encourage him/her to contact Career & Employment Services.

 


 

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