Co-op Employer and Recruiting Information

Cooperative Education is the integration of classroom theory with practical work experience where students alternate attendance at school with periods of professional employment. A three-way partnership is designed between the cooperating employer, the Auburn University Co-op Program, and the participating students to merge professional opportunities with student talent and resources to achieve many goals.

Some of the ideals upon which the program is based are:

1. Students’ work should be related as closely as possible to their field of study and interest within the field.
2. Employment is considered to be a regular, continuing, and essential element in the educational process, and some minimum amount of employment and a minimum standard of performance must be included in the requirement for the Co-op Certificate presented by the school.
3. The work experience will ideally increase in difficulty and responsibility as the student progresses through the academic curriculum and shall parallel as closely as possible progress through the academic phases.

We invite you to join us as a Cooperative Education employer to support these ideals.

Secure Future Hiring Needs
Co-op employers are not required to hire co-op students into full-time positions upon graduation, but oftentimes co-op students go to work full-time for their co-op employers after finishing their degrees. By hiring co-op students, employers give themselves a pool of acclimated, company-trained candidates to fill full-time positions.

Extended Interview
The co-op program offers a unique opportunity for employers to evaluate co-op students for an extended period of time. Through the process of hosting students for three work rotations, employers can observe students and determine their potential for future success within the organization.

Build Your Brand
By hiring co-op students and ensuring that they have challenging, positive work experiences, you will gain ambassadors on campus who can tell others about their fantastic work semesters. Some co-op employers even involve their current co-op students in on-campus recruiting events to help spread the word about opportunities with their organization.

Starting a Co-op Program
Having decided that you wish to hire Auburn University co-op students,

1. The first step you should take is to contact the AU Co-op Program Office staff to arrange an initial planning session. The Co-op Program Staff will discuss the program with you and determine how the program can best work for you.
2. Plan the work assignments. Know what you want the student to do before they arrive.
3. Determine qualities (academic and personal) desired in a co-op applicant. We all want to place the right student in the right job. Only students meeting your requirements will be referred to you.

Tips for a Successful Co-op Program

1. Work with students to make them feel like they are part of the team and community at your company
2. Incorporate meetings and exposure with senior leadership to build critical soft skills
3. Have students present their projects to management for leadership experience
4. Incorporate a 3rd semester or capital project in their last working rotation
5. Incorporate professional development and skills training into students’ work life
6. Excellent supervision and mentoring throughout work rotations
7. Students tend to be satisfied with more structure, so providing a structured work experience will most likely lead to higher performance

Co-op Work Term Calendar

Summer 2022 (12 weeks)

Report to Work       Monday, May 9

Evaluations Due     Friday, July 29

Work Term Ends     Friday, August 5

Fall 2022  (20 weeks)

Report to Work     Monday, August 8

Evaluations Due    Friday, December 2

Work Term Ends    Friday, December 23

Spring 2023 (20 weeks)

Report to Work     Monday, January 9

Evaluations Due    Friday, April 21

Work Term Ends    Friday, May 5

Summer 2023  (12 weeks)

Report to Work     Monday, May 8

Evaluations Due    Friday, July 28

Work Term Ends    Friday, August 4

Students will participate in a 3-semester rotation (typically a Fall, Spring, and Summer semester) for a total of 52 weeks, equivalent to 1 year of experience prior to graduation.

Auburn Academic Calendar: http://www.auburn.edu/main/auweb_calendar.html

Employer FAQs

1. Are all students required to participate in the Co-op program?

 No, Co-op is a highly recommended but optional program offered at Auburn University.

2. What are some of my responsibilities as an employer?

Co-op work terms should provide meaningful employment exposure related to the student's field of study. Employers are responsible for providing full-time, paid employment for 3 alternating semesters. To ensure the success of the program, continued collaborative efforts with the Co-op Coordinators are necessary. Co-op employers must also complete the student’s SkillSurvey evaluation after each work term.

3. How do I apply to recruit co-op students?

Students are available year-round and there are three work terms per year– fall, spring, and summer. You can apply for co-op student recruitment by contacting the Co-op office.

4. What are the benefits of hiring a co-op student?

There are several benefits of hiring a co-op student. Students can provide solutions to staffing needs and they are available year-round to work. Students are also eager to learn and will bring creative and fresh new ideas to the workplace. Companies can also use the Co-op Program as a recruitment tool to pre-screen future employees.

Co-op Salaries by Major

• Overall Averages
• First Term Averages
• Second Term Averages
• Third Term Averages

Housing Information

47% of co-op students either receive a housing stipend or have housing provided by their co-op employer.

Average housing stipend received: $667.64

 For all questions, please reach out to Edie Irvin, Assistant Director of Co-op + Internship.