Internships and co-ops can provide students with practical experience and can be crucial stepping stones for future career opportunities. The national average for intern and co-op students to be offered full-time employment after their experience is 63.9%. Internships and co-ops will continue to be the center of career development for students and key recruitment strategies for employers for years to come.
Internships
-
What is an Internship?Internships are typically short-term work or service experiences related to a student’s major or career goal. They allow students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Internships involve students working in a professional setting, under a supervisor/mentor. Internships can be paid or unpaid, and students may or may not receive academic credit for their internship.
-
Do I Need to Do an Internship?At NDSU, internship requirements vary by major or program. Some programs require students to do an internship and others encourage students to find an internship. Some programs offer credit for internships, others do not. It’s important to understand your program’s requirements before securing an internship. Click here for details about specific major requirements.
Cooperative Education
-
What is a Co-op?Co-ops (or cooperative education) provide students with multiple periods of work or longer work experiences of full-time, discipline-related employment. Co-op programs allow students to transition seamlessly from the workforce back to the classroom. Most co-ops are paid experiences and many involved some form of academic credit. Many students doing co-ops take a break from other classes during the semester(s) they complete the co-op. The “co-op” terminology and practice is more commonly found in industries related to STEM fields.
-
Do I Need to Do a Co-op?At NDSU, co-op requirements vary by major or program. Many programs within the College of Engineering encourage students to participate in a co-op, but not all programs offer program-specific credit for those experiences. It’s important to understand your program’s requirements before securing a co-op. Click here for details about specific major requirements.
“Put yourself out there and apply for positions that might seem out of reach. You never know what might happen!”
Max Salzer – Mechanical Engineering
Why should I participate in an internship/co-op experience?
- Internships are one of the main recruiting tools employers use to recruit their early talent positions.
- Test a career decision before graduation.
- Gain a competitive edge in the professional job market.
- Gain “real life” experience and understand workplace culture.
- Develop social capital through networking, experiencing new things, and learning in a professional setting.
- Earn money to help with college expenses.
- Network with professionals and make industry connections.
- Improve resume writing, job searching, and interviewing skills.
Will other students be working there?
It depends on the employer. Smaller businesses are less likely to have multiple interns, while larger companies may employ large numbers of students each term from all over the United States.
What kind of employers or work sites can I intern at?
You will find a broad range of opportunities. Some are large corporations representing a wide scope of career fields, while other opportunities could be with small businesses, nonprofits, or startup companies. Many government agencies also offer a wide variety of positions for all majors.
Check out this list of popular employers.
How do I find an internship or co-op?
Check out our Search for an Internship page on ways to find an internship.
