This document provides an orientation for students starting the co-op program. It outlines the requirements to complete an online tutorial by September 14th and explains that co-ops are full-time paid jobs related to a student's major that allow them to gain professional experience. The document then details the support services available through the Career Center and the steps students should take to find a co-op, including creating resumes and portfolios, attending workshops, searching for jobs, and completing evaluations after finishing their co-op.

1. Welcome to Co-op! The first step of your co-op
preparation is to complete this online tutorial no later
than Friday, September 14.

2.  Co-op requirements and expectations
 Career Center Co-op Advisors
 Working with your Co-op Advisor
 Career Center Resources
 What to do next

3.  Full-time job related to your major and vital part of your
education
 Co-op provides opportunities for you to:
 Integrate classroom theory with workplace practice
 Clarify professional goals
 Apply professional competencies
 Demonstrate career management skills
 Develop a professional network

4.  Clarify learning & career goals related to co-op
 Create a job search strategy to meet your goals
 Develop and refine job search skills
 Evaluate co-op job offers
 Develop & refine professional workplace skills
 Assess your performance & learning through co-op
 Your Co-op Advisor continues to be a support and guide for
you as you transition to the workplace.

5.  Put forth dedicated effort; maintain deadlines
 Many factors influence job search success, including
GPA, experience, motivation, interviewing skills,
resume and portfolio quality
 Job search includes WITworks posted jobs, professional
network, research new organizations
 Wentworth does NOT guarantee employment

6.  Co-op job must be related to your major.
 Co-op semester runs at least 12 weeks and through
the last day of classes.
 You must be employed 32 – 40 hours/week
 Fewer hours requires Co-op Advisor approval
 Spring 2013 Co-op is January 9 – April 16
 International Students contact the International
Student Services Office for CPT or OPT work
authorization.

7.  Be enrolled as a full-time student, in good academic
standing
 Junior (Co-op 400) or Senior (Co-op 600) class
standing
 Cumulative GPA at least 2.0 by start of co-op term
 You must register for Co-op
 Transfer students must complete at least one
semester in residence before the co-op semester.

8.  Complete the Co-op Application (click the
link at the end of this presentation)
 Register for Co-op for the upcoming semester
 Complete all co-op assignments on time.
 Successfully complete your co-op job.

9. Location: Wentworth Hall, First Floor
Phone: 617-989-4101
Office Hours:
 Monday – Friday 8:15AM – 4:45PM
Drop-in Hours:
 Career Center staff member, Daily 1:00 – 4:00PM
 Career Peers – start the week of September 10;
Schedule will be posted in the Career Center

10. Co-op Advisor
 Intake meeting (Prerequisite for accessing jobs on WITworks!)
 follow-up meetings throughout semester
Career Peers and Staff Drop-In
 Career Peers are students trained to provide resume and
cover letter review
 Career Center Staff available for short questions about your
co-op search.
Events
 Mock Interview Day – October 23, 2012
 Information sessions & workshops

11. September
 Create, review and edit resume, portfolio, teaser sheet
 Meet with Co-op Advisor
 Create a spreadsheet to track job search activity and contacts
October
 Apply to jobs; follow up with employers; Create LinkedIn profile
 Participate in Mock Interview Day, October 23
November
 Continue applying for jobs; continue interviewing
 Register for Spring Co-op
December
 Stay in contact with your Co-op Advisor
 Evaluate offers & accept a job

12.  Create or update your resume
 Review and edit support in Career Center
 Portfolio and Teaser Sheet (design students)
 Organize and showcase your visual design work
 Ask professor or design professional to critique
your portfolio or teaser sheet before you start
your job search.

13.  WITworks is the Wentworth job board.
 Your Co-op Advisor controls your access to these
job postings.
 Access via LConnect and complete profile now.
 Search for jobs outside the WITworks system.
 Use your network
 Search employers in your area
 Search jobs posted on other employment sites
 Use a spreadsheet to track your job search

14. • Mandatory Profile fields are
marked with red *
• Personal Information
• Demographic Information
• Additional Information
• Complete all fields and
SAVE

15.  Seek out Opportunities to Network
 Professional events, LinkedIn, former employers, family & friends
 Stay on top of job market news/know your industry.
 Broaden search to other positions in your field;
consider major-related positions in other industries.
 Competitive resume and cover letters (review and edit)
 Set realistic expectations
 Focus on experience rather than salary
 Be prepared to commute up to 1 hour to work
 Extend your search beyond the Metro-Boston area.

16.  Be professional always.
 Learn company policies and procedures (time off,
appropriate use of resources such as email and phone, calling
in sick, etc.)
 Ask questions
 Never cruise the Internet while on the job.
 If issues arise while on co-op, contact your Co-op
Advisor for assistance.
 Serious problems can result in termination of employment
and failure of co-op

17.  Thank your supervisor and work colleagues
for the co-op experience.
 Review and update your resume.
 Complete the student evaluation
 Encourage your employer to review your
performance and complete the Employer
Evaluation online before you leave.

18.  Read email from your Co-op Advisor about special
instructions for your major
 If you have a resume, stop by the Career Center
after Sept 10 for review with a Career Peer
 Log into WITworks and complete your account
profile. Start at Lconnect  Career Services, and
then click here

19. The last step in your Co-op Online
Orientation is to complete the
Spring 2013 Co-op Application by
clicking here:
Spring 2013 Co-op Application
Thank You!