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Maximize Your Education with Co-op Experience

Explore how Co-op integrates academic coursework with work experience, ensuring a successful career start. Discover why Co-op is crucial, its requirements, registration process, and job search strategies. Learn resume and cover letter tips, network effectively, build connections with companies, apply strategically, follow up, and excel in interviews. Utilize resources like the Career Center, Co-op Office, mentors, and advisors to enhance your professional journey.

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Maximize Your Education with Co-op Experience

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  1. CO-OPPutting Your Degree To Workwww.bgsu.edu/techcoop

  2. What is a Co-op • Co-op is a 4 credit hour course • integrates academic coursework with work experience in a student’s field of study. • 1-3 semesters of Co-op are REQUIRED for Graduation (Dependent on major) • Co-op is an integral part of your education and provides a jump start to your career! 4 credit hours for each co-op course

  3. WHY CO-OP? • To integrate class lessons with work experiences • To become established and oriented to your profession • To develop connections with employers • To develop communication skills • To develop problem solving/critical thinking skills • To improve motivation, enthusiasm, ambition and confidence • To ensure that you are going into the right profession • To help you get experience so you can get a job  • To finance your education • To keep program content and faculty up-to-date and relevant with current trends and developments in industry

  4. Co-op Requirements (fall, spring, or summer) • Co-op position must be related to your major • Full-time, 40 hours/week for one semester OR Part time, 20 hours/week for two consecutive semesters • Supervised and working at a professional location • Paid a reasonable wage (Fair Labor Laws)

  5. Co-op Registration Application Approval Process

  6. Co-op Search Strategies • Build Your Resume (Get involved) • Create A Basic Cover Letter Template • Prepare/Update Your Portfolio (If Needed) • Develop your list of references • Build A List Of Companies To Contact • Network!!! • Attend Events, Job Shadow, Etc • Meet With The Career Center/Co-op Office • Meet With Your Academic Advisor and Faculty Mentor

  7. Resume Tips and Requirements • Employers first impression (no errors, no first person, no picture of yourself, ) • What do you know? Sell yourself • Industry Skills, knowledge, software, experience, involvement • Use resume action words • Present – Organize, create, manage, schedule… • Past – Organized, created, managed, scheduled… • Experience in, familiar with, understanding of…etc. • Avoid personality words and general terms like easy going, good listener, etc. • Update every semester or more….

  8. Resume Action Words

  9. Cover Letter (Intro) Tips and Requirements • Communicate with the Employer • Create a cover-letter (intro) template (customize as appropriate) • 2-3 paragraphs, 2-3 sentences each • Greeting • Information about position you hope to obtain • How you found or were referred to position • Research the company and mention something about why you are interested in their organization and the position • Why you are a good fit • Mention attachments/enclosures, request future correspondence, meeting, etc, • Say thank you

  10. Build a list of Companies • Where do you want to work • Company? • Location? • What type of experience do you hope to get

  11. Network/Get Connected • Research Opportunities • Job Search Data Base (Handshake, LinkedIn, Ohio Means Internships and Co-ops, USAjobs.gov, GoinGlobal, etc..) • Company Career Page • Job Fairs • Professional Organizations, conferences • Family, Friends, Faculty, Peers, etc/ • Cold Calls • Networking Events…… ½ of available jobs are posted… 15% of resume/application are successful without follow up and networking

  12. Apply/Communicate/Follow Up • Customize cover letter for each opportunity • Customize resume as beneficial • Start early (1-2 semesters ahead), don’t give up… • Make 5-7 employer connections each week • Research the company, get connected to an individual, call, request job shadow, information interview, connect with company/employees on social media, • Apply, email, as appropriate • Follow up, phone, email, networking events, etc. as appropriate • Track connections etc.

  13. JobHero • JobTrack

  14. Follow Up Example Good Afternoon Ms. Employer, I'm writing to follow-up regarding my initial message sent on September 20, 2016, to ensure you successfully received my message and resume, and to answer any questions you may have. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss your company and to get connected with you soon. Thank you for your time and consideration on my behalf. Sincerely, Student BGSU College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering Senior, Construction Management 419-867-5309 student@bgsu.edu

  15. Interview Tips • Research Interview Questions • Practice (Big Interview) • Dress for Success • Men – suit/tie • Women – suit/pant, skirt, jacket, low heel, • Say Thank You

  16. Reminders, Hints, Tips,

  17. Resources Career Center, Co-op Office, Faculty Mentor, Advisors,

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