Co-Op Ed Internships for Rehabilitation Students

1. Co-Op Ed Internships for Rehabilitation Students

2. What is Co-Op? Cooperative Education (Co-Op) internships create educational partnerships among Montana State University Billings, the business community, and students. It is a unique academic program that allows students to earn academic credit while combining classroom learning with practical work experience.

3. Course Numbers & Credits The internship is a restricted-entry course. Co-Op Ed will register you for the course after all necessary and completed paperwork is submitted to Co-Op Ed in LI 100. REHA Internship Course Numbers Credit Hours Each undergrad REHA internship is 6 credits = 270 hours of work The Council on Rehabilitation Education, Inc. (C.O.R.E.) requires a supervised clinical experience to total 600 clock hours over the course of a student’s preparation for the Master’s Degree. These hours do not include the weekly hours at the counseling clinic.

4. Steps to Obtain an InternshipStarting the Process… Getting Started: • Register with CareerLink at www.myinterfase.com/msubillings/student/ • If you have registered in CareerLink, please edit your profile and be sure the “Miscellaneous Information” section is completed/updated. • Upload your résumé in CareerLink (to be critiqued by Career Services staff and then corrected). Upload final copy. • Set up an appointment with Mandy, Co-Op Ed Specialist. • For your initial appointment, bring a list of internships you are interested in pursuing from www.msubillings.edu/cooped/or your own list of possible sites. • Contact Mandy Brottem, Cooperative Education Specialist, at 406.657.1717 or mbrottem@msubillings.edu with internship questions. • Contact Erica Holle, Office Manager, 406.657.2168 with CareerLink questions.

5. Steps to Obtain an InternshipContinuing the process… Securing an Internship: • Contact potential sites to set up interviews. You are responsible for pursuing internship leads. Getting Registered: • Contact your faculty supervisor for specific academic requirements. He/she will act as a mentor/supervisor throughout the Co-Op Experience. • Undergrads: Complete the REHA 496 Goal Packet and make required copies. • Grads: Download the Grad REHA 596 Field Manual and complete the contract, activity log, etc. • If you obtained your internship through Co-Op Ed it is not necessary to submit a job description. • If you developed your own internship, you must include your job description that has been approved by your faculty supervisor. • Complete the Learning Agreement, with signatures of employer, faculty, department chair, and Co-Op Ed. All areas must be filled in! *Download from the Career Services & Co-Op Ed web site. www.msubillings.edu/careers/cooped/students.htm

6. Steps to Obtain an InternshipCompleting the registration… The following must be completed prior to registration: • Register in CareerLink with MISC. section completed. • Upload critiqued & corrected résumé into CareerLink. • Upload job description into CareerLink (if not obtained through Co-Op). • Submit complete REHA 496 Application Goals or Grad 596 Field Manual Contract with goals. • Submit completed Co-Op Ed Learning Agreement. The last day to register for your internship is the “Last Day for Registering/Adding Classes” as determined by the University Calendar. Please plan accordingly.

7. REHA 496 Goal Statements & REHA 596 Field Manual • REHA 496 Goal Statements must be completed and approved PRIOR to registration. • Original to Faculty Supervisor • 1 copy to Co-Op Ed, LI Room 100. • REHA 596 Field Manual includes: • REHA practicum/internship goals & objectives • Required hours and expectations • REHA practicum/internship contract & evaluations • REHA 596 Field Manual Contracts must be completed and approved with signatures PRIOR to registration. • Original to Faculty Supervisor • 1 copy to Co-Op Ed, LI Room 100

8. Internships =Jobs! • Just the Basics… • Dress professionally • Be on time • Be prepared • Practice good hygiene and good office etiquette. • Résumé, cover letter, and thank you note are key.  • The last day to register for your internship is the “Last Day for Registering/Adding Classes” as determined by the University Calendar. • Site must be confirmed and documentation must be completed prior to registration. • Internship postings are available online, but you are free to develop your own. • Keep in mind that applying for an internship is similar to applying for a job.

9. CareerLink www.myinterfase.com/msubillings/student/home.aspx Co-Op Ed Learning Agreement www.msubillings.edu/careers/cooped/studforms.htm REHA 496 Goal Packet www.msubillings.edu/careers/cooped/studforms.htm REHA 596 Field Manual www.msubillings.edu/careers/cooped/studforms.htm Finding the forms you’ll need Obtain copies of forms and view current internship opportunities at: www.msubillings.edu/careers/cooped/students.htm

10. Questions? Contact Mandy Brottem at 406.657.1717 or mbrottem@msubillings.edu