Information Systems
Co-Op Experience
Partnering for Student Success
Educate | Mentor | Engage
As you know, today’s job market is extremely competitive for new graduates.
You are looking for more than just a degree from those you hire. You want a
candidate who has both the strong education and work experience in their
desired field. The Information Systems (IS) Co-Op will help students from
the Monte Ahuja College of Business at Cleveland State University achieve
their goals of a career in Computer Information Science or Information
Systems and Technology.
The IS Co-Op is a formal, accredited academic program that integrates
classroom theory with work experience. A student alternates semesters
of work and study, beginning the summer after their freshman year. The
student will complete a minimum of two and a maximum of four Co-Op
semesters. The degree will be completed in five years with the equivalent of
at least one year of meaningful CIS/IT experience.
Why Become a Partner Company?
• Students are prepared with at least two semesters of relevant coursework
• Discover and connect with new talent
• Evaluate skills of students for potential future positions
• Keep the best and brightest IS talent in Cleveland
• Help students acquire real-world experience
• Create a talent pipeline to for your company
Student Responsibilities:
• Complete at least two semesters of IS coursework prior to the first
Co-Op semester.
• Complete a career orientation course prior to the first Co-Op semester.
• Apply to the IS Co-Op program as early as freshman year. Prepare and
begin position search up to one-year prior to the first Co-Op semester
• While at the Co-Op position, work full-time (40 hours per week).
• Complete a minimum of two Co-Op semesters, following an alternating
work/study sequence (see tables at right).
• During the Co-Op semesters, register and successfully complete the
IS Cooperative Education Experience course. Course duties include the
preparation of Co-Op objectives, a final report approved by the employer
and evaluations of the Co-Op experience by the student and work
supervisor.
Employer Responsibilities:
• Provide meaningful, challenging work assignments, closely related to
the student’s chosen CIS/IT field.
• If possible, begin planning your Co-Op needs a minimum of one-year
in advance. The IS Co-Op coordinator can provide numbers of available
students and resumes to assist in your planning.
• Submit a detailed position description to the IS Co-Op coordinator
• Make offers during the semester prior to the student’s availability to
begin the assignment (or earlier).
• Provide full-time employment for the duration of the semester, adhering
to the alternating work/study semester requirement
• Pay a wage commensurate with experience. While the employer makes
the hiring and salary decision, the Co-Op coordinator can provide
current Co-Op salary information based upon industry best practices,
experience and academic classification. Resumes of available students
who meet the position qualifications will be made available and
on-campus interviewing may be arranged.
• Maintain communication with the IS Co-Op coordinator regarding
scheduled interviews, pending offers and job acceptances.
• Mentor, supervise and formally evaluate the student to enhance their
learning and professional development.
Co-Op starting in Spring and ending after the first half of Summer
Year 1 (Freshman)
Year 2 (Sophomore)
Year 3 (Pre-Junior)
Year 4 (Junior)
Year 5 (Senior)
Summer 2
Fall
Spring
Summer 1
Courses
Courses
Courses
Courses
Courses
Courses
Courses
Courses
Courses
Co-Op
Co-Op
Co-Op
Courses
Co-Op
Co-Op
Co-Op
Co-Op starting in the second half of Summer and continuing through Fall
Summer 2
Fall
Spring
Summer 1
Year 1 (Freshman)
Courses
Courses
Year 2 (Sophomore)
Courses
Courses
Courses
Year 3 (Pre-Junior)
Co-Op
Co-Op
Courses
Courses
Year 4 (Junior)
Year 5 (Senior)
Co-Op
Co-Op
Co-Op
Co-Op
Courses
Courses
Courses
If you are interested in becoming an Information Systems Co-Op partner
company, have questions or need more information, please contact the
IS Co-op Coordinator:
Dr. Sharen Bakke
P: 216.875.9803
E: s.bakke@csuohio.edu
Visit the Information Systems Department in the
Monte Ahuja College of Business or online at:
www.csuohio.edu/business/information-systems/co-op-experience
1860 E. 18th St, BU344
Cleveland, OH 44115
P: 216.687.4760
F: 216.687.5448