Cooperative Education Experience (Co-Op)

Five students around a table, working on a group project.  White board has lots of notes.

The possibilities are limitless and the experience is invaluable.

The optional cooperative education experience, commonly known as a "co-op," provides hands on experience in industry and directly relates to academic major.  

Rensselaer's highly-regarded Co-op Program offers students the opportunity to put their classroom skills to work and explore their career paths before graduation.  Students can choose to work for large corporations or help start-ups get off the ground.

A Co-op is a full time, paid experience related to a student’s major/field of study that lasts a minimum of six months and upwards of eight months.

A Co-op is open to all students, all class years, except Freshman, with at least one semester of full time academic study remaining in degree program. Co-ops are traditionally full-time, paid positions.

Search for Co-op opportunities or make an appointment with a CCPD counselor through Handshake.

Co-op Quick Facts

Undergraduate  |  Graduate

Found a Co-op. Now What?

Undergraduate

  1. Download a copy of the Co-op Guide
  2. Forward a copy of the official offer letter and resume to: co-op@rpi.edu
    1. Official Offer letters should contain the following information, on company letterhead OR from an official email address:
      1. Name and address of employer
      2. Specific Start Date/End Date
      3. The number of hours working per week (Co-op requires full-time status)
      4. Hourly rate of pay
      5. Job description
      6. Name and contact information of your supervisor
  3. Schedule a co-op briefing: During the semester, dates and times of the Co-op Briefings can be found in Handshake under Events.  If none are listed, please message us at co-op@rpi.edu to schedule a meeting regarding registration requirements.  The meeting can be done in person, virtually or by phone.  You’ll receive a Work Plan to complete at the Co-op Briefing that must be returned to us.  The Co-op Work Plan includes a section for an approving signature from your Academic Advisor (and ISSS for International Students) before the Co-op can be officially registered.

Graduate

  1. Download the Experiential Learning Guide
  2. Forward a copy of the official offer letter and resume to co-op@rpi.edu
    1. Name and address of employer
    2. Specific Start Date/End Date
    3. The number of hours working per week (Co-op requires full-time status)
    4. Hourly rate of pay
    5. Job description
    6. Name and contact information of your supervisor
  3. Supervisor's Name and contact information
  4. Attend a required co-op briefing (posted in Handshake)
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