Co-op Definitions

Wentworth Specific Terms

  • Co-op & Career Advisor: A career development professional dedicated to specific majors who supports students and alumni with co-op and full-time job searches. Provides access to WITworks and many other resources regarding the search; however, it is a student’s responsibility to apply for and secure a co-op position. Different from a Success Advisor or Primary Advisor, who assist with academic questions (i.e., What semester will I go on co-op?).
  • Co-op Terms & Conditions: Describes the expectations that Co-ops & Careers has for all Wentworth students. It is important for students to understand their responsibilities related to the co-op search process, and how students are expected to conduct themselves while on co-op. This document must be read, agreed to, and signed prior to embarking on your first co-op search within the Co-op section of WITworks. It will not be reviewed and approved until you make an appointment with your Co-op & Career Advisor for resume review. View the Co-op Terms & Conditions here: https://coopsandcareers.wit.edu/resources/co-op-terms-conditions/
  • Employer Evaluation: A form on WITworks that must be completed successfully by the Workplace Supervisor towards the end of each co-op term as part of the requirements to receive a passing grade for co-op.
  • Information Session: When an employer comes to Wentworth to speak about their company and/or open job or co-op positions. Often occurs in the evening.
  • Intro to Co-op (COOP 2500): A course that covers topics such as resumes, job searching, interviewing, and how to be successful on co-op. This class is taught by Co-op & Career Advisors and is zero-credit, pass/fail, and free.
  • Learning Goals: Included in the Report of Hire, students must develop three separate learning goals, each of which lists a goal and how the student will accomplish that goal.
  • Leopard Web: Portal accessed through MyWentworth used to register for classes and co-op, or to view transcripts.
  • OCR (On-Campus Recruiting): Interviews set up by Co-ops & Careers where employers conduct interviews either on Wentworth’s campus or remotely for a specific co-op or full-time position at Wentworth (if on campus, typically takes place in the Co-ops & Careers Office).
  • Report of Hire: A form on WITworks that must be successfully completed prior to the co-op term deadline to receive credit for co-op. Once the form is submitted, it must be reviewed and approved by a Co-op & Career Advisor and the workplace supervisor. Any edits to this document must be approved by your Co-op & Career Advisor.
  • Self-Evaluation: A form on WITworks that must be completed successfully by the co-op student towards the end of each coop term as part of the requirements to receive a passing grade for co-op.
  • Student Accounts & Financial Aid Office: Located on the first floor of Wentworth Hall, this department includes the Registrar (information about registering for classes), Financial Aid (information about receiving monetary help with tuition), and Student Accounts (information about billing).
  • WITworks: WITworks is Wentworth’s internal job board where employers post co-op, full-time, and part-time positions. Students and alumni can sign on using their Wentworth credentials to apply for these positions. Access to the co-op portion of WITworks is only available after receiving approval from a Co-op & Career Advisor. Students and alumni can also access helpful handouts, register for job related events, schedule appointments with their Co-op & Career Advisor, and report their co-op hire on WITworks.
  • Workplace Supervisor: This is the student’s direct supervisor at their place of co-op employment. They must have expertise related to the student’s job. In WITworks, the workplace supervisor is listed on the student’s Report of Hire and completes an Employer Evaluation towards the end of the co-op term.

Terms for International Students

  • Curricular Practical Training (CPT): This employment authorization is a benefit of F-1 student non-immigration status that allows students to work off-campus at a required co-op. See ISSE for more information.
  • International Student Services & Engagement (ISSE): This department assists international students with questions about work authorization, visas, and traveling in/out of the United States. Schedule an appointment or stop by with questions during drop-in hours.
  • Optional Practical Training (OPT): Temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Eligible students can apply to receive up to 12 months of OPT employment authorization before completing their academic studies (pre-completion) and/or after completing their academic studies (post-completion). However, all periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.
  • Social Security Number (SSN): A nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary (working) residents under section 205(c)(2) of the Social Security Act. The number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, an independent agency of the United States government.

General Terms

  • Dean/Associate Dean: Each school has a Dean who oversees that school. Some schools also have faculty who act as Associate Deans. Some co-op related forms require a signature from a Dean or Associate Dean.
  • Elevator Pitch or Professional Introduction: A succinct and persuasive sales pitch, often given to potential employers by people looking for work.
  • Letter of Recommendation: A document in which the writer assesses the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the person being recommended in terms of that individual’s ability to perform a particular task or function. Previous employers or professors may write letters of recommendation to help improve your chances of being hired. Recommendations can also be given on LinkedIn. Most commonly needed for graduate school or REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) applications.
  • Networking: Connecting with other people to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one’s career. Networking can occur at events, conferences, or in day-to-day life such as while waiting for a train.
  • Reneging: To go back on a promise such as turning down a job or co-op offer after accepting it. This can damage your professional reputation. See the Co-op Handbook for more information.
  • Salary Negotiation: Salary negotiation is a process where one party (usually the potential or current employee) negotiates their pay, income, earnings, commission, salary, wages, wage remuneration, annual review, or salary raise with another party (usually a representative of the employer, such as a manager or human resources representative).
  • Technical Interview: Typically consists of a series of questions that test technical knowledge in a particular subject. Questions are related to the specific position and/or may test a candidate’s ability to solve problems. They can consist of coding challenges, word problems, peer discussions, puzzles, or brain teasers. Technical interviews are generally used to assess candidates for technical or specialist job positions (such as jobs in IT, engineering and/or science).

See the Co-op Handbook for Additional Definitions
https://coopsandcareers.wit.edu/resources/co-op-handbook/

Updated: 5/2024