myCSUSM
CSTEM Cooperative Education Program
The CSTEM Co-op Education Program aims to improve student academic and professional success by forming mutually beneficial and collaborative relationships between university, employers, and students. The program encourages and empowers CSTEM students to obtain future STEM careers by gaining substantial and valuable work experience.
Proposed CSTEM Cooperative Education Program
What is a Co-op?
- A symbiotic relationship between industry and academia.
- You divide up your undergraduate degree into work and study-terms.
Co-op participation is linked to other benefits for students such as improved academic performance, confirmation of career choices, professional networking opportunities (Barry et al. 2016; Tran and Soejatminah 2016), and increased income after graduation (Wyonch 2020).
| Details | Co-op | Internship |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 3-8 months | 2-3 months |
| Pay | Paid as starting employee | Volunteer to low wage |
| Focus area(s) | Entire focus is on work or school | Torn between work and school |
| Tasks | Can set up rotations through various types of jobs | Progress or rotation not typical |
| Training | Trained as regular employee | Little training beyond project |
| Skills | Career planning and financial literacy | Development of limited soft skills |