From Student to Professional throughCooperative Education

University of Hawai‘i at MānoaMānoa Career Center

2600 Campus RoadQueen Lili’uokalani Center for Student Services #212

www.sece.hawaii.edu

Co‐op: Workbased Learning• Education based• Career related• Structured & long‐term 3 way partnership‐university, employer, & student

• Paid 2012 Co‐op Student of the Year, Carolynn Kitamura, PHNSY Civil Engineering Student; 2012 Co‐op Supervisor of the Year, Chad Fukumoto, PHNSY Co‐op Supervisor

Why students pursue Co‐op?• Career clarification• Apply theories learned in class

• Obtain career‐related work experience, job search skills

• Develop a professional network 2011 Co‐op Student Student of the Year,

Gina Tsui, Queen's Nursing Co‐op Student; 2011 Co‐op Supervisor of the Year,Hazel Pascual, Queen's Nursing Co‐op Preceptor

A Partnership!Employer• Para‐professional 

work experience• Supervisor for 

training and orientation

• 10 ‐ 20 hrs/week• Minimum 2 

semesters• Sign an education‐

based agreement

University• Outreach to 

Employers• Application process• Refine career and 

job search• Work with you 

during the Co‐op placement

• Evaluations• Monitor academic 

performance & progress

Student• Continuous 2 sem. 

Commitment• Fall & spring or 

spring & summer or summer& fall

• E‐journals (weekly/monthly)

• Complete evaluations• Maintain academic 

progress & grades• Possible credit (i.e. 

ENGR 493)

Participate in Co‐op Eligibility• Review Co‐op program and participatory requirements• At least half‐time enrollment at UH Mānoa *Half time status may 

NOT apply to international students• Classified student in good academic standing with a minimum of 25 

undergraduate credits• Minimum 2.0 (undergrad) or 3.0 (graduate) cumulative GPA• Officially declared a major• Have at least 2 full semesters before graduation• International students must present an off‐campus work clearance 

from the International Student Services to Mānoa Career Center

Co‐op Semesters & Work Cycles There are 3 semesters in Co‐op: Fall, spring, and summerWork cycle • Train and attend school concurrently• Work 10‐20 hours per week• 40 hours per week during Summer & Breaks: Winter/Spring

Co‐op Participation Activities • ENGR 493 Fall/Spring semesters• Learning objective• Observation• Reflection• Evaluation

ENGR 493 (1 credit) • Report on their work experience• Reflective Journal Blogs • Weekly for first co‐op semester/ Monthly 

for second and consecutive semesters• Share their work experience and reflect on 

their experience in the context of their work style as they prepare to become professionals

ENGR 493 (cont.)• Student Presentations (summary of 

co‐op experience)

Summer: Professional Development

• Weekly Discussions• Topics: Skills employers want in new 

employees, professionalism, transferable skills, ethical issues, tips to navigate a new work environment

• Students to share common experiences 

Evaluations• End of semester (Fall/Spring/Summer)• Helpful for students• Feedback on performance in work 

environment as a pre‐professional engineer

• Opportunity to discuss together with student or Co‐op counselor

Federal Internship & New GradPathways Program• Intern (Student) Prepare Federal Resume in Advance Timeline to apply is short

• Recent Graduate (Full‐time)

Summer Internship Application Period

Federal internship deadlines• October/Early November Background check is necessary as part of 

recruitmentGeneral internship deadlines• Late February to Early April Begin search now and frequently; bookmark for 

2015 open recruitment updatesKey Search Words: intern/internship/Co‐op

Mānoa Career Center

QLC 212 Resume and cover letter

reviews

Interview preparation

Mock interviews

Job/Internship search tips

Co-op Program

F/T vacancy listings

Grad school planning

956-7007 • careers@hawaii.edu • http://manoa.hawaii.edu/careercenter