You earn a future when you earn a degree!
MIS / FINC
Gulf Power Co.
Pensacola, FL
I have found that I love working in the IT
field because there is always something new
and exciting to learn about. I also love the
feeling that I get when I walk away from a
person’s desk knowing that I not only fixed
their problem, but I also made a difference in
the efficiency of the plant and the processes
necessary for it to create a profit.
Rheem has been a great employer for
me, and I treasure the opportunity that I have
had in working in the Networking department.
- MIS, 2nd Work Term
MIS
ADTRAN, Inc.
Huntsville, AL
I worked in Neptune’s Training
department where I assisted with much of the
training material and helped students one-onone in their classes.
The most valuable thing that I will get
through this work experience is the
knowledge of an actual company. With the
[Co-Op] experience, I think it will make my
classes much easier to understand and will
give me an advantage because I can relate it
to my actual experience, rather than a
hypothetical situation.
- OPMN, 1st Work Term
AERO
US Army Space &
Missile Defense
Huntsville, AL
I continue to see the benefits of my
Co-Op job. Through work experience and
mentoring, I am gaining knowledge beyond
what I would receive from school alone.
I am most thankful that I am guaranteed
a job offer when I graduate, an option not
many other students enjoy.
- AERO,
3rd Work Term
U.S. Army Aviation
& Missile Command
A GOOD PLAN
Answer the Reporter’s Questions:
What?
Who?
When?
Where?
Why?
How?
“The best preparation for
work is not thinking about
work, talking about work, or
studying for work: it is
work.”
Former Massachusetts Governor William Weld
WHAT is Cooperative Education?

Academic Program

involves alternating terms between school
and work (work is related to the field of
study)
Balances School & Work
 Balances Theory & Practice
 1 year of professional work experience

(minimum)
WHAT is Cooperative Education?

A “different” way of going to college
preparation for future
 sacrifice now for future benefit$

Typical Work / School Co-Op Alternation
Plans
School Term
Plan A
Plan B
Plan C
Plan D
Plan E
1st Year - Fall
School
School
School
School
School
1st Year - Spring
School
School
School
School
School
1st Year - Summer
Work #1
*
*
*
*
2nd Year - Fall
School
Work #1
School
School
School
2nd Year - Spring
Work #2
School
Work #1
School
School
2nd Year - Summer
School
Work #2
School
Work #1
*
3rd Year - Fall
Work #3
School
Work #2
School
Work #1
3rd Year - Spring
School
Work #3
School
Work #2
School
3rd Year - Summer
*
*
Work #3
School
Work #2
4th Year - Fall
School
School
School
Work #3
School
4th Year - Spring
School
School
School
School
Work #3
4th Year - Summer
*
*
*
*
*
5th Year - Fall
School
School
School
School
School
5th Year - Spring
School
School
School
School
School
* Optional Term(s) - Extra Co-Op Work Term(s), Internship(s),
Study-Abroad, Summer Job(s), etc.
WHO can participate?
Currently 450 students
 30+ different curricula (Art - Zoology)
 2.20/4.00 gpa (C+ average)
 Freshman - late Sophomore start


must have enough time left in school to
work one year (3 terms)
WHEN can students begin?
 3rd
semester of Freshman year (summer
at end of freshman year)
 2nd semester @ Auburn as a transfer
student
 Program is designed for students to
begin at end of Freshman year (as late
as end of Sophomore year)
WHERE do AU co-ops work?

160 employers
small to Fortune 50
 examples: Alabama Power Co., NASA
Harley-Davidson, Briggs & Stratton,
IBM, Kimberly-Clark, Michelin

Industry - Business - Government
 90 % work within 200 miles of AU

(weekend driving distance)
WHERE do AU co-ops work?

25 % work w/in commuting distance
Auburn . . . . . . . . . .
Opelika . . . . . . . . . .
Tallassee . . . . . . . . .
Columbus, GA . . . . .
West Point, GA . . . . .
LaGrange, GA . . . . . .
Montgomery . . . . . .
Prattville. . . . . . . . . .
0 miles
7 miles
25 miles
35 miles
35 miles
45 miles
55 miles
60 miles
WHY should students co-op?
 $ for school
$11.75 / hr. avg. for Sophomores
$13.50 / hr. avg. for Juniors
$13.75 / hr. avg. for Seniors
WHY should students co-op?
“Test Drive” your career
 Improve Technical Skills
 Develop Teamwork, Interpersonal &
Communication skills
 Break from school - pace yourself
 Business vs. Business Education,
Engineering vs. Engineering Education,
etc.

WHY should students co-op?
Become a “First Round Draft Choice” @
graduation (max job opportunities)
 12.5 % higher starting salaries
 Enhanced Education
 Offer more to potential employers than
your competition

“The world cares very little
about what a man or woman
knows; it is what a man or
woman is able to do that
counts.”
- Booker T. Washington
Please rank order three main benefits you expect to
receive from participating in the AU Co-Op Program.
Co-Op Grads
Applicants
3
Financial
4
-
Résumé building
-
4
Improve technical skills
3
-
Improve non-technical skills
(interpersonal, communication, etc.)
2
2
Career exploration
-
1
Maximize job opportunities at
graduation time
1
-
Other (please specify)
-
Co-Op Students
get the chance to apply
“Problem Solving Skills”
HOW do I become involved in Co-Op?

Get an early start


the longer we know you, the better we can
help you
Co-Op Registration Process
register with program & interview with
employers
 Freshman - 2nd term @ AU
 Transfer student - 1st term @ AU

HOW do I become involved in Co-Op?
03-02-04
HOW do I become involved in Co-Op?

Co-Op Interview Day
2 times per year (Fall & Spring)
 50 to 75 employers
 7 to 8 interviews in one day

Additional Information about Co-Op
Largest Co-Op Program in Alabama
 3.00 avg. gpa
 Priority registration
 Co-Op diploma
 Website: www.auburn.edu/co-op

Additional Information about Co-Op

Fulltime student status during work terms
Parent’s Health Insurance
 Student loan payback


Financial Aid & Co-Op