Co-op program provides real-life work experience
If you’re looking for valuable work experience while earning money as a student, you may want to consider joining the Co-op better known as Cooperative Education in some circles.
A Co-op job allows students to obtain work experience related to their majors, which helps them apply what they are learning in class, said Alicia Aroche, associate director of the center.
If you’re looking for valuable work experience while earning money as a student, you may want to consider joining the Co-op better known as Cooperative Education in some circles.
A Co-op job allows students to obtain work experience related to their majors, which helps them apply what they are learning in class, said Alicia Aroche, associate director of the center.
In all, 75 students registered for Co-op jobs this semester.
“We always want students to know (even) if there isn’t a Co-op position for them at the moment, it doesn’t mean that there are not opportunities out there for them,” Aroche said.
Cooperative Education Sessions
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 1
Virginia Room A
University Student Commons
Galen Parker, senior business administration and management major, works part time in the payment processing department at ClearPoint Financial Solutions in Richmond. He said students should participate in the Co-op program because it helps with their resume-building plus getting work experience.
Krutika Patel, a post-baccalaureate accounting major who participated in the Co-op program as an undergraduate, now serves as a recruitment assistant for the center.
This position also came through the Co-op program.
“The pay is not minimum. You get good work experience, and it could turn into a full-time position,” Patel said.
In addition to gaining valuable work experience, Patel said Co-op students also register earlier for classes along with the honor students.
Aroche said students wanting to become a Co-op participant first must attend an orientation session before becoming eligible to participate in the program.
Students can join as early as their sophomore year and must have a cumulative 2.5 GPA although some employers require a higher GPA. Also applicants must be degree-seeking students enrolled in at least six credit hours.
Furthermore, Aroche said, transfer students must wait one semester to establish a GPA at VCU.
Co-ops are not for credit and a small registration fee is required: $30 for part-time work and $70 for full-time work.
Although the semester will end soon, it is not too late to participate in the Co-op program for next semester. There is at least one orientation session scheduled each month, Aroche said.
