What is Co-op?

Hands On Experience That Gets You Hired!

Cooperative Education (co-op) is a full-time, semester long job, in your field of study that enables you to apply classroom learning to professional work experience. At Wentworth a co-op must be 30-40 hours per week and generally is completed between the first day of classes and the last day of finals during the semester you are working.

Wentworth offers one of the most comprehensive co-op programs in the nation. Unlike most schools, co-op at Wentworth is a requirement: all undergraduate day students must successfully complete two co-op semesters in order to graduate.

You will have plenty of support to help you achieve your professional goals. Your first step is to enroll in and complete Co-op Institute, a co-op preparation course that is offered in the spring and fall semesters. Additionally, your dedicated Co-op & Career Advisor will work with you on résumé writing, job-search strategies, and interviewing techniques. We provide a Co-op & Career fair or reception each semester including summer, focused workshops, online job search tools, and on-campus recruiting.

Find all co-op policies and procedures in the Co-op Handbook.

Important Upcoming Co-op Dates:

Typically JuniorsTypically Sophomores*Typically Seniors
Co-op Schedule Spring 2024Summer 2024Fall 2024
Semester begins (first official start date of co-op)Tuesday, January 9Thursday, May 2TBA
Last day to report your hireTuesday, January 16Thursday, May 9TBA
Latest employment start dateWednesday, January 17Wednesday, May 15TBA
Co-op assessment due – student & employerWednesday, April 10Friday, August 2TBA
Last day of official co-op semesterWednesday, April 17Thursday, August 15TBA
*Some programs of study follow a different schedule.

Timing

  • With the exception of Architecture, Applied Mathematics, and Data Science all students must complete their required co-ops in the spring semester of their junior year and the fall semester of their senior year.
  • With the exception of Architecture and Applied Mathematics (3-year program), students may complete an optional co-op the summer following their sophomore year. Note that optional co-ops cannot be applied toward the graduation requirement.
  • Architecture majors will complete their co-ops during the summer after their sophomore year and the spring of their junior year.
  • Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, and Data Science student in 3-year programs will complete their co-ops during the summer semester following their sophomore year and the spring semester of their final year.

Benefits

  • Your co-op experiences will be directly related to your field of study, allowing you to tie your coursework to concrete knowledge developed in the workplace.
  • 38% of the class of 2022 were offered post-graduate full-time employment by their co-op employer(s).
  • During your co-op experiences, you earn income and not pay tuition, allowing you to save toward future semesters.

Eligibility

  • Eligibility for co-ops is determined by your class standing and cumulative GPA (check the academic catalogue for your major’s requirement).
  • Review the Co-op Handbook for policies, procedures and general information.
  • International students are not allowed to participate in a co-op in the cannabis industry. It is a violation of federal immigration laws for a foreign national to have anything to do with marijuana cultivation.
  • Although Cannabis has been legalized both recreationally and medicinally in some states, it remains illegal under federal law. Wentworth Institute of Technology is a drug-free campus, consistent with federal law. Wentworth may post co-op positions in the cannabis industry in those states that have legalized medical and/or recreational use of cannabis but cautions that the use and/or sale of cannabis may be prosecuted by federal law enforcement and that any such co-ops, research, or job opportunities could potentially affect your federal student loans, immigration status, or future background checks for security clearances. Any student who chooses to engage in such employment does so at their own risk. Wentworth will approve co-ops that are ancillary to the organization but not for jobs where the students would be handling cannabis (like a dispensary).  Examples, a co-op may be approved if the student is working in the IT department or other business functions within a cannabis organization but will not be approved where the student is touching the cannabis. Therefore, Wentworth advises international students, students with federal loans and students who may seek a security clearance in the future to not work in the cannabis industry.

Resources

Registering for Co-op

Registering for co-op is a two-step process. As co-op is considered a class; you must register for it on LeopardWeb …

Co-op Handbook

Everything you need to know about co-ops at Wentworth can be found in this handbook.

Co-op Action Guide

Use this action guide to make sure you are on track to find a co-op.

Common Interview Questions for Co-op

Prepare for your next interview with this collection of commonly asked interview questions.

Co-op Terms & Conditions

The Terms & Conditions document describes the expectations Co-ops & Careers has for all Wentworth students. It is important for …

How To Be Successful on Co-op

Follow these tips to be successful while on co-op. Your goals while on co-op should be to sharpen your skills, …

 

WHEN YOU SECURE A CO-OP

Please let us know by registering on LeopardWeb and reporting your hire through WITworks. International students who secure mandatory co-ops must follow instructions on the reporting and work authorization process.

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