COOP Putting Your Degree To Work www bgsu
CO-OP Putting Your Degree To Work www. bgsu. edu/techcoop
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
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)
Co-op Registration Application Approval Process Student attains a co-op offer and completes the Co-op Registration Application (www. bgsu. edu/techcoop) Co-op Meets Requirements and Approved – Student and Employer Notified via Email Co-op Does Not Meet Requirements and Not Approved – Student Notified via phone/email Student and Employer Notified of assigned faculty representative (student monitors email for site review scheduling etc. ) Co-op Office Reviews Co-op Registration Application (Approved/Not Approved) Approved Co-op Students Program Chair Reviews Co-op Registration Application (Approved/Not Approved) Semester Begins Co-op Office Registers Student for 4 credit hour Co-op Course TECH 2890, 3890, 4890 Student monitors BGSU email and reviews Canvas Course Shell for syllabus, assignments, due dates, other requirements and expectations etc. Student and employer participate in a site review, student submits required assignments and revisions by due dates via Canvas Employer completes online mid -term and final evaluation Faculty representative completes co-op site review report
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
Co-op Search Strategies q Build Your Resume (Get involved) q Create A Basic Cover Letter Template q Prepare/Update Your Portfolio (If Needed) q Develop your list of references q Build A List Of Companies To Contact q Network!!! q Attend Events, Job Shadow, Etc q Meet With The Career Center/Co-op Office q Meet With Your Academic Advisor and Faculty Mentor
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….
Resume Action Words
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
Build a list of Companies • • Where do you want to work • Company? • Location? What type of experience do you hope to get
Network/Get Connected • Research Opportunities • Job Search Data Base (Handshake, Linked. In, Ohio Means Internships and Co-ops, USAjobs. gov, Goin. Global, 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
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.
• Job. Hero • Job. Track
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
Interview Tips • Research Interview Questions • Practice (Big Interview) • Dress for Success • • Men – suit/tie • Women – suit/pant, skirt, jacket, low heel, Say Thank You
Reminders, Hints, Tips,
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