Cooperative education at the University of Wisconsin-Stout
is part of a nationwide college program that integrates career-related work experience with academic course work. The
co-op program supports UW-Stout’s polytechnic designation
by providing students the opportunity to experience an active and applied focus on learning in their professional field.
The success of the co-op program is based on a framework
of collaborative partnerships between employers, students
and the university.
UW-Stout’s Cooperative Education program is centrally
coordinated through the Career Services Office in cooperation with the academic departments of the university.
Faculty provided support and mentorship for the 927 students
enrolled in the co-op program during 2011–2012. Employers
have also shown steady support for the program, with more
than 550 employers providing job sites.
This report details the success of UW-Stout’s Cooperative
Education program in 2011–2012. It provides data from a
survey of cooperative education students, providing several
measures of strength. Students who participated in the
co-op program at UW-Stout reported average earnings of
$13.15 per hour while on co-op assignments. Wages paid
to 2011–2012 co-op students totaled more than $8 million.
Co-op Program History
YearStudents
YearStudents
1982–1983 ................................. 8
1983–1984................................80
1984–1985............................. 216
1985–1986 ............................ 294
1986–1987............................. 426
1987–1988 ............................ 448
1988–1989 .............................532
1989–1990..............................543
1990–1991..............................486
1991–1992 .............................502
1992–1993 .............................596
1993–1994..............................586
1994–1995 .............................541
1995–1996 .............................556
1996–1997 .............................492
1997–1998 ............................... 422
1998–1999 ............................... 420
1999–2000 ............................... 465
2000–2001 ............................... 557
2001–2002 ............................... 589
2002–2003 ............................... 610
2003–2004 ............................... 673
2004–2005 ............................... 720
2005–2006................................ 733
2006–2007................................ 805
2007–2008 ............................... 836
2008–2009 ............................... 734
2009–2010 ............................... 782
2010–2011 ............................... 876
2011–2012 ............................... 927
Since 1982, 16,455 UW-Stout students
have taken part in co-op experiences.
Co-op Locations
Co-op Employment Summary 2011–2012
Students find co-ops across the country
1
4
2
437
3
47
22
13
3
2
1
3
9
2
1
3
1
1
3
3
12
4
1
2
1
5
4
2
5
1
7
9
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
1
1
274
27
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Cooperative Education at UW-Stout
Applied Social Science (BS).........................................................1N/A
Art - Graphic Design (BFA)............................................................413.75
Art - Industrial Design (BFA).........................................................6$16.60
Art - Interior Design (BFA).............................................................1N/A
Professional Communication and Emerging Media (BS).............10$10.23
College of Education, Health and Human Sciences
Food Systems and Technology (BS)..............................................4$9.84
Food and Nutritional Sciences (MS).............................................5$13.24
College of Management
International Co-ops – 5
Top 25 Co-op Employers
Spring 2005 – Summer 2012
1. Walt Disney World
2. Menards, Inc.
3. Harley-Davidson Motor Company
4. TIC - The Industrial Company
5. Target Corporation
6.3M
7. Kimberly-Clark Corporation
8. Greenheck Fan Corporation
9. Kalahari Resorts
10. Kohl’s Department Stores
11. Hoffman Enclosures/Pentair Technical Products
12. IBM
13. Ten-E Packaging Services
14. Western Summit Constructors, Inc.
15. Belmark, Inc.
16. Landmark Resort & Conference Center
17. Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
18. MillerCoors
19. Packaging Corporation of America
20. Conference Chicago
21. Boston Scientific
22. Lands’ End
23. Nosco, Inc.
24. RR Donnelley
25. Beach Point Club
Business Administration (BS)...................................................154$11.58
Golf Enterprise Management (BS)..............................................85$9.33
Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management (BS).....................130$9.66
Management (BS) .......................................................................1N/A
Property Management (BS) ........................................................ 7 $9.00
Retail Merchandising and Management (BS).............................. 45 $12.03
Risk Control (MS) ......................................................................10$17.94
Supply Chain Management (BS)............................................... 18 $16.18
Risk Control (MS) ......................................................................10$17.94
Technology Management (MS) ................................................... 1 N/A
College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Apparel Design and Development (BS)..................................... 11 $13.18
Applied Mathematics and Computer Science (BS).................... 33 $14.20
Applied Science (BS)................................................................ 25 $11.20
Computer Engineering (BS) .........................................................9$17.87
Construction (BS).......................................................................90$14.93
Engineering Technology (BS) ......................................................51$15.98
Graphic Communications Management (BS)............................. 41 $11.48
Information and Communication Technologies (MS).................... 1 N/A
Information Technology Management (BS).................................. 8 $15.67
Manufacturing Engineering (BS)................................................ 47 $16.53
Packaging (BS).........................................................................118$17.31
Plastics Engineering (BS) .......................................................... 11 $16.35
Totals.................................................................................927$13.15
Employers can recruit a UW-Stout co-op student using the form at
www.uwstoutcareers.com/form_coop_position.php
Partial List of 2011–2012 Co-op Employers
2010 33rd Company Property Management
3M l n u
AC & A, LLC
Ace Manufacturing Industries, Inc.
ACH Food Companies, Inc. l n u
Aeropostale u
AFP Advanced Food Products, LLC u
AgSource Cooperative Services
Allen Edmonds l
ALLETE u
American Family Insurance u
American Transmission Company
Ameriprise Financial u
Andy Garcia Productions, Inc.
API Group, Inc. n
Ariens Company u
Arrow Building Center l
Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. l u
Avid Technology, Inc. u
Baldpate Inn, Ltd. u
Bandon Dunes Golf Resort
Barnboard Grill & Saloon
Bartolotta Restaurant Group
Bauer Welding & Metal Fabricators, Inc.
Beach Point Club
Beachside Resort
Bearpath Golf & Country Club
Beaver Creek Reserve
Beaver Run Resorts
Belmark, Inc. l n u
Bemis Company, Inc. l n s u
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. u
Best Buy u
BHL Services n u
Bjorksten Bit 7, Inc. u
Black Bear Golf and Tennis Club u
Blackhawk Country Club
Blain’s Farm & Fleet l n u
Blue Line Sports Bar and Grill
Boldt Company l
Boothbay Country Club u
Bosch Packaging Technology, Inc. l
Boston Scientific l n s u
Brackett’s Crossing Country Club
Braun Intertec Corporation
Brookdale Plastics
Buffalo Phils Grille
Camosy Construction n u
Canoe Bay
Carlson Print Group
Carmel Valley Ranch
Carstensen Group, LLC
Cedar Creek Golf Course
CH2M HILL
Chainalytics l n u
Chippewa Concrete Services, Inc. u
Christopher & Banks Corporation u
Ciri Alaska Tourism
dba Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge
City of Rochester
Cleveland Tubing, Inc. u
College Pro l u
Colony Brands, Inc. u
Color Ink l
Concentric Rockford
Conway Farms Golf Club u
Cornerstone Construction Management
CR Meyer
Cray, Inc. l
Crenlo l n u
Crestview Golf Club
Crosswalk Community Church
Custom Fabricating & Repair, Inc.
Daily Printing, Inc. n u
DDL, Inc. (Distribution Dynamics) l n u
Defiance Machine, Inc.
Delaware North/Sportservice n u
Department of Natural Resources
Destination Kohler l n
Diageo n u
DiaSorin u
Dollar Tree
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
DS SolidWorks Corp.
Dunham’s Sports
Earth Sense Landscaping
Eau Claire Children’s Theatre u
Eau Claire Press Co.
Ecolab l n u
Edgerton Contractors, Inc.
Energy Management Collaborative, LLC
Enterprise Rent-A-Car l n u
Entertainment Cruises
Ethicon Endo-Surgery
Evanston Golf Club
Exel, Power Packaging, Inc.
Expert Tree Service and Science
Extreme Engineering Solutions u
Falcon Lakes Golf Club u
Family Video l
Fastenal Company
Fattalone Companies
FCA, LLC n u
Figi’s u
FIS u
Fisher-Price, Inc. u
Five Star Plastics, Inc. l u
Flag Island Resort u
Flambeau, Inc. l n
Flint Hills Resources u
Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park
FW Murphy
Garnet Hill, Inc.
General Mills l n u
Ginger P Designs
Glenn Hills Golf Club, Inc.
Global Finishing Solutions l u
Graco, Inc. l u
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa u
Great Neighborhood Home, Inc. u
Great Northern Corporation l n u
Greenheck Fan Corporation l n u
Greenwich Country Club
Gusmer Enterprises, Inc. u
Hammons and Associates, Inc.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company l n u
Harrah’s/Harveys/Bill’s Hotel Casino
Hart Design & Manufacturing, Inc.
Hartford (The)
Heartland Business Systems l n u
Heartwood Conference Center u
Heidel House Resort
Hills Pet Nutrition l n u
Hitachi Global Storage Technologies
Hoffman Construction Company l u
Hoffman Enclosures /
Pentair Technical Products n u
Hormel Foods l n u
Horseshoe Bay Golf Club u
Housing Authority of
the City of Menomonie u
HUSCO International l n u
Hutchinson Technology, Inc. l n s u
Hyatt Hotels Corporation s u
IBM u
Illinois Junior Golf Association u
Imagine Print Solutions l n u
Independent Printing Company, Inc. l n u
Inland Label & Marketing Services, LLC l
Innovative Injection Technologies l n u
Innovative Packaging Solutions u
INSTY-PRINTS
Insurance Service Center
Interfacial Solutions
Interlachen Country Club u
Investment Centers of America, Inc.
J & L Electric
J&L Haines Trucking Co.
J. F. Ahern Co. l
J. H. Findorff & Son, Inc.
J.F. Brennan Company, Inc. u
J.M. Smucker Company l n u
J.P. Cullen & Sons, Inc.
JAMF Software u
Japs-Olson Company l n u
JC Norby and Associates
Jennie-O Turkey Store l n u
Jericho Road Ministries
JL Buchanan u
Johander Company
Johnsonville Sausage, LLC l n u
JP Graphics, Inc.
Justice & Freedom, LLCP
Kalahari Resorts l u
Kam Industries, Ltd. dba Cordeck
Kelle Company
Kellogg Company n u
Kelly Scientific Resources
Kenai Peninsula Borough
Kerry Ingredients & Flavours
Kiewitx n
Kilkarney Hills Golf Club
Kimberly-Clark Corporation l n u
Klebs Mechanical
Kohler Co. l n u
Kohl’s Department Stores l n s u
Kraus Anderson Construction Company ln u
LaForce, Inc. l
Land O’Lakes l n u
Landmark Resort & Conference Center n u
Lands’ End l u
Lange Printing Co.
Legacy Design Photographers u
Legend at Bergamont
Leinenkugel’s Brewing Company u
Little Nell
Lofton Label, Inc. u
Long Asphalt Maintenance Co. u
Lucas Film
Lunda Construction Company u
Lutsen Resort & Sea Villas
M.A. Mortenson Company n u
Madden’s on Gull Lake
Mainstream Boutique
Malco Products, Inc.
Manrique Group
Marek Group u
Market & Johnson
Marriott Hotels & Resorts l
Marshfield Clinic l n u
Martinelli Winery
Maurices (Home Office)/All Locations lu
Maximum Graphics l
Mayo Clinic Health System u
McKesson, Inc. l
Medtronic u
Menards, Inc. l u
Menasha Packaging l s u
Mercury Marine l u
Metro Sales, Inc.
Metropolitan Council u
Michels Corporation l
Mid-America Real Estate — MN, LLC
Mikeology Store LLC
MillerCoors l n u
Milwaukee Country Club
Milwaukee Electric Tool l n u
Minikahda Club
Minnesota Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) u
Minnesota Department of Revenue
Minnesota Rubber & Plastics u
Modis
MOM Brands (formerly
Malt-O-Meal Cereal Company) u
Mountain View Country Club
Mountaintop Golf Club
Naked Communications
NASA Glenn Research Center u
NDT Solutions, Inc.
Nelson’s County Market u
Nestle Purina u
Nestle USA, Nutrition Division u
NewPage Corporation u
Next Step Ministries u
Nordstrom u
North Star Golf Club, Inc. u
Northern Tier Energy
Northland Buildings, Inc.
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network u
Nosco, Inc. l u
NWCEP, Inc. Park Falls Area
Chamber of Commerce
Oak Marsh Golf Course
Odyssey Resorts l n u
OEM Fabricators, Inc. l
Office of Senator Ron Johnson
Ohly Americas u
Old Hickory Golf Club u
Olympic Steel u
Olympus Group n u
Omni Hotels and Resorts l s
Orange Lake Resort l s
Oshkosh Corporation s u
Osseo Golf & Recreation Center
Outdoor Services, Inc. u
Packaging Corporation of America l n u
Paragon Distribution, LLC
Patz Corporation
Peninsula Chicago Hotel n u
Perkins l
PGA Championship
Phillips Medisize Corporation l u
Pine Hills Golf Club
Pinewood Country Club
Pinnacle Recycling, LLC
Plastic Ingenuity
Premier Printing, Inc.
Prent Corporation l u
Presto Products Company
Prom Management Group
Promega Corporation l n u
Prop Shaft Supply, Inc. u
Q3 Contracting, Inc. l u
Quad/Graphics l u
Quaker Oats Div. of Pepsico n u
Rachel Contracting u
Ralph Lauren
Rawson Contractors
Realityworks u
Red Wing Shoe Company u
Reebok International, Ltd. u
Reesman’s Service Corporation
Regency Beauty Institute u
Remmele Engineering u
River Run Golf Course
Riverside Machine & Engineering, Inc.
RJA Dispersions, LLC
Rock-Tenn u
Rockville Links Club
Rockwell Automation l u
Rookery Golf Club u
Ryan Companies US, Inc.
Saint Croix National Golf Course
Salamander Boutique
Schiele Group
Schreiber Foods, Inc. u
Schwan Food Company l n u
Scientific Molding Corporation l
Scotts Miracle-Gro n u
Sears Holdings Corporation l u
Sentry Insurance l u
Serenity Packaging Corporation l n u
Shape Products u
Shell Vacations Club
Sherwin-Williams Company l n u
Shippers Supply, Inc. u
Shopko Stores, Inc. l
Smart Data Solutions l u
Solo Cup
Spartech Corporation n u
Spectrum Brands u
St. Jude Medical l n u
Staab Construction Corporation
Starcrew n
Stephen J. Weddle DDS
StoneRidge Golf Club u
Stoneybrook Golf Course, LLC u
Sturm Foods n u
Superior National at Lutsen
Swan Creek Golf Club u
Taco Johns
Target l n u
Ten-E Packaging Services l
Terra Engineering and Construction
Thermo Scientific
Thomson Reuters l u
Three Crowns Golf Club
ThyssenKrupp Waupaca, Inc.
TIC-The Industrial Company l n u
Tin Fish
Toro Company n u
Tournament Players Club
(TPC) of the Twin Cities
Town & Country Club
TPC Sawgrass
TPC Scottsdale
Trane l u
Tuxedo Club
Unison Comfort Technologies
Div. of Greenheck l u
Unisys Corporation
University Directories n u
US Foods l n u
US Monitoring, LLC
Valero
Verizon Wireless
Victor Myers Construction, LLC
Victoria’s Secret u
Viking Electric Supply, Inc. l n u
Virteva, LLC l
Voith Meri Environmental Solutions, Inc. u
W Chicago City Center
W.S. Darley & Company
Walmart Stores l u
Walt Disney World l s u
WAOW/WYOW Television, Inc.
Washburn County Tourism Association u
Waushara Country Club
Wayzata Country Club
Weidner Property Management n u
Weis Builders, Inc. l
Wendorf Construction, Inc.
Western Summit Constructors, Inc. l n u
Westwood Shores Waterfront Resort u
Whispering Springs Golf Club
Wieser Brothers General Contractor, Inc.
Wilds Golf Club
WS Packaging Group, Inc. n u
Xcel Energy
Zentis Food Solutions
Zimmer Spine n u
Zumbrota Golf Club
Zumiez, Inc.
l
n
2011 Career Conference Attendees
On-Campus Interviews
s
u
Open House/Information Sessions
Posted Position on Stout CareerLink
Emily Willman
Kyle Pieters
Camila Checa
Apparel Design and Development
Construction
Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management
Co-op Company: Kohl’s Department Stores
Company Supervisor: Kari Dudash
Faculty Mentor: Gindy Neidermyer
Co-op Company: Miron Construction Co., Inc.
Company Supervisor: Dave Voss III
Faculty Mentor: Tim Becker
Co-op Company: Grand Hotel Marriott Resort,
Golf Club & Spa
Company Supervisor: Jay Dahlke
Faculty Mentor: Edward Harris
Student: “I have never been so satisfied with something I have worked
on, as I have while working for Miron Construction. Watching hundreds of people walking through the building I put so much time and
effort into was incredibility satisfying. Watching the attendees of the
grand opening pointing, smiling and enjoining was rewarding. These
experiences solidified my decision obtain my Construction degree.
This co-op changed how I operate as a professional, and even more
so as an individual.”
Student: “I wouldn’t change a single moment about this co-op experience. The diversity of the experience and environment allowed me
to develop both my professional as well as my personal skills in many
different areas. I was grateful to meet people who have left a mark in
both my professional and personal lives. Ultimately, this experience
proved to me that I am in the correct industry.”
Student: “While having the opportunity to be a co-op student at Kohl’s,
their tagline of “Expect Great Things” rang true not only for the
product I worked on, but for my overall experience. This co-op was
phenomenal. I am ecstatic to say upon graduation, I will be returning
to the Kohl’s Technical Design area.”
Employer: “Emily Willman is a remarkable person who has shown great
talent and ambition for Apparel Design and Development. She will
influence the design world greatly with her hard work and willingness
to succeed. Emily’s contributions were greatly appreciated and she
has strengthened the program here at Kohl’s for other co-op students.
With Emily’s cheerful and upbeat attitude we are excited to have her
back with us at Kohl’s!”
Kerstin Johnson
Professional Communication
and Emerging Media
Co-op Company: Alliance Laundry Systems
Company Supervisor: Julie Socha
Faculty Mentor: Matthew Livesey
Student: “This co-op allowed me to grow professionally and adapt to
company culture. Going into this position, I had a solid foundation
of project-based learning and a desire to learn and excel in this field.
I individually managed and tracked over 150 projects. This allowed
me to perfect my organization and customer relations skills.”
Employer: “Kerstin stepped into our department as if she had always
been with us. She caught on quickly; within a very short time period
we had enough confidence in her abilities to start loading her up on
projects. In three months, she started and completed 115 projects!
We treated her and depended on her as if she were another technical
writer in our department. We definitely felt the loss when she left
us to go back to school. Kerstin is the employee that every manager
wishes they had. Congratulations to Kerstin!”
Employer: “Kyle, better known as “Red”, came to the UW-Parkside
project as a shy co-op student willing to learn. His assignment was
to assist the project superintendent with behind the scenes day to
day paperwork while having an opportunity to see a $30 million
construction project taking shape. Kyle left the UW-Parkside project
as a daily decision maker involved in every aspect of the project as
well as solely running another project at the campus that was acquired
while he was onsite. Kyle was a huge asset to the projects and far
exceeded all expectations.”
Employer: “Camila was a ray of sunshine in all of the departments that
she worked in. She made a noticeable impact at the resort in a short
amount of time. She was a big help to the team during the summer
of 2011. She asked to cross train at the front desk during her days off
and at night. Camila along with the other 10 Stout Students we had
at the Grand during the summer of 2011 made a positive and lasting
impression on our Staff and our Guests. We appreciate all of Camila’s
efforts and wish her continued success in her future endeavors.”
2011 Cooperative Education Meritorious Award Recipients
Students Eligible for Co-op Will Have:
1. Completed a minimum of one semester of full-time
coursework at UW-Stout (12 credits).
2. Enrolled in an academic undergraduate or graduate
program/major.
3. Good academic standing (2.0 GPA).
4. Completed and submitted the Stout CareerLink profile and upload a current resume.
Requirements of Co-op:
1. Receive payment for work experience (hourly/stipend).
2. Work a minimum of 320 hours per term (part-time or
full-time).
3. Position description is approved by the co-op faculty
mentor.
4. Enroll in a one- to eight-credit academic course ending in “49” (for example, AEC-449).
5. Course is graded A – F by a faculty mentor.
6. Include learning objectives and strategies, application
of knowledge, and evaluation of learning outcomes.
Students Can Find a Co-op Position by:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Front Row (left to right): Camilla Checa, Anish Pokhrel, Chancellor Sorensen, Emily Willman, Kyle Pieters; Tiffany Willits.
Second Row (left to right): Sara Beran, Abby Evers, Cicole Burkel, Laura Abel, Kertin Johnson.
Third Row (left to right): Justin Lilley, LeahHauck, Brittney Norgren, Miranda Wellnitz, Caleb Sherman, Rosanne Meier.
Attending the Career Conference held every fall.
Signing up for an on-campus interview.
Attending workshops at Career Services.
Meeting with a career counselor.
Using Stout CareerLink to:
† Post a resume
† View co-op opportunities
† Access these resources:
»EmployOn
» MyWorld Abroad
» Going Global
» Reference USA
» Vault Career Insider
»InterviewStream
† Contact a career counselor for career advice.