Cooperative Education

Cooperative Education at NECC is an experiential course designed to provide training and work experience for students seeking to enter or re-enter a career field. Students gain practical experiences that are related to their academic program and/or career goals. Both Cooperative Education I and II are one-semester, three-credit academic courses, subject to the guidelines of the appropriate academic department and Career Planning. Co-op II is designed to build upon the skills developed in Co-op I.

Professional Co-op Job Developers and Co-op Faculty Advisors assist students with career decision-making and provide job search strategies.

Prospective employers/site supervisors submit job descriptions and select the student that best matches their workplace requirements. Once on the job, the student develops clear and measurable learning objectives in consultation with the work site supervisor and the Co-op Faculty Advisor.

Benefits of Cooperative Education

For Students:

• Provides students with the opportunity to gain work experience in their academic fields, thereby improving their job prospects after graduation.
• Allows students to test a particular career choice before graduating.
• Teaches valuable job search skills, such as resume and portfolio development and interviewing skills.
• Grants a letter grade and three credits per semester for up to two semesters.
• May provide financial assistance under the "earning while learning" concept.
  

For Employers:

• Provides access to a pool of diverse, career-oriented, highly motivated individuals who bring cutting edge ideas, skills and technology from the classroom to the workplace.
• Increases the cost effectiveness of recruitment and training.
• Enables employers to become active participants in the educational process and gain access to the resources of the college.
  
  

International Co-op II

(Available only to students who have successfully completed Co-op I)

Career Planning is currently exploring the option of an International Co-op II experience. Unlike our other Co-op programs, this would afford students the opportunity to work outside the U.S. Ideally, we hope to establish Co-op relationships with U.S. companies who have affiliates in other countries.

For more information about the Co-op program, or to set up a personal appointment, contact:

If your area of study is:	Call:	Or e-mail:
Journalism, Liberal Arts or Psychology	Sue Chory 978-556-3728	schory@necc.mass.edu
Business, Health, Medical or Travel	Sue Chory 978-556-3728	schory@necc.mass.edu
Computer and Information Sciences Electronic Technology Graphic Design	Ginny Anderson 978-556-3736	ganderson@necc.mass.edu