Undergraduate Co-op

Students are fully supported in preparing for and getting the most from their co-op experience. Each student is connected with an academic advisor, co-op coordinator, and if applicable, a global co-op coordinator. The student’s co-op coordinator will guide them through the co-op process and help to identify various positions that best match their skills and career interests.

Preparation:

Students start with a required 1 credit, semester long co-op course that provides them with the tools needed for successful co-op searches. These include resume writing, job search strategies, interview preparation, professional and ethical behaviors, co-op policies and procedures and identifying learning outcomes. Students are also encouraged to identify and describe their skills, work values and motivators and to apply this knowledge to their personal and professional lives.

Flexible Undergraduate Degree and Co-op Options:

For undergraduates, the first co-op opportunity begins in the second year or beyond, and there are options to complete up to two co-ops in the course of a four-year program or up to three co-ops in the course of a five-year program.

Coop Patterns

Note: there are 8 equivalent semesters of class for Bachelor of Science degree

Job Search:

Co-op students use Northeastern’s internal jobs database NUworks to identify and apply for jobs during the search process. Students learn how to use the system during their co-op class. Students are also encouraged to search for opportunities outside of NUworks through networking, LinkedIn, and other jobs websites. Jobs found outside of NUworks must be reviewed and approved by the co-op coordinator. Employers will contact candidates directly to arrange interviews and to make job offers. Students are asked to stay in close contact with their coordinators throughout the search process.

Reflection and Evaluation:

Students are asked to reflect upon their co-op experience both during and after the completion of their co-op. This provides students with the opportunity to be thoughtful about their experience, their learning outcomes and how the experience integrates with their classroom studies.

Is co-op mandatory in the College of Engineering?

All Northeastern undergraduate students must complete one form of experiential learning. Although co-op is not required, it is strongly encouraged. Most College of Engineering students complete two or three co-ops during their time at Northeastern.

How does the co-op process work?

Students begin the co-op process by registering for the mandatory co-op preparatory course or equivalent, where they are assigned a co-op coordinator/advisor*. The co-op prep course is a class taught by co-op coordinators/advisors that provides students with the tools, skills and values necessary to obtain and excel in a co-op position and in their future job searches and employment. More information about a co-op coordinator/advisor can be found below.

After successfully enrolling in and starting the mandatory co-op preparatory course, students will be able to begin to apply for co-op positions, as long as all eligibility requirements (listed below) have been met, and their resume has been approved by their advisor/coordinator. Once approved, students can search within Northeastern’s job platform NUworks or find co-op positions using other resources. Read on to learn more about NUworks.

The co-op search process mimics a typical job search; students will review and apply for jobs with their resume, complete applications, interview, and accept offers. A student’s co-op coordinator/advisor will be able to provide guidance throughout the application and interview process.

Once students have received a job offer, they should let their co-op coordinator/advisor know. All co-op jobs must be approved by a student’s co-op coordinator/advisor. Note that reneging on an accepted job offer is not permitted and may result in consequences that affect co-op eligibility and  participation.

*Note: Coordinator/advisor assignment timing may vary depending on their status as a graduate or undergraduate student, and their degree program.

When will I be assigned a co-op coordinator?

A co-op coordinator will be assigned to each student at the beginning of the semester when the co-op class is taken.

When will I receive my co-op pattern?

College of Engineering students will receive their co-op pattern by the end of their first year.  This pattern determines when the student will be on co-op and/or classes, and remains with them throughout the degree program.  Students who transfer into Northeastern will meet with their academic advisor to determine their co-op pattern.

What kinds of co-op jobs are available?

Co-op jobs may vary by semester depending on industry demand.  The co-op coordinators evaluate all opportunities to ensure appropriate learning experiences for our students.  Jobs span a wide range of industries including aerospace/aviation, biomedical, consumer products, defense, power/energy, robotics, construction/HVAC, healthcare, consulting, finance, manufacturing and technology.  The NUworks system also allows students to apply to co-op positions outside of the College of Engineering, as appropriate.

Coordinators work individually with each student to determine the types of jobs that match the student’s skills and career goals.  Eligibility for each job depends on criteria established by the job description and competitiveness of the applicant pool. Previous experience, grades, communication skills, technical aptitude, and professional and emotional maturity also play a factor in eligibility. Students are required to dedicate substantial effort to their job search and work with their co-op coordinator in a professional and collaborative manner.

Where are co-op jobs located?

Many jobs are located in the Greater Boston area, however, students are encouraged to “think globally” by applying to jobs outside of the area as well. NUworks has postings all over the country and the world.  We encourage students to work with their co-op coordinator to explore jobs outside of NUworks as well to widen their job search into different geographic areas.  The College of Engineering has a designated co-op coordinator for global co-op searches to further assist with this process.  All student-developed jobs must be approved by the student’s co-op coordinator.

Can international students do co-op?

Many international students participate in the co-op program.  International students must receive authorization from the Office of Global Services (OGS) before taking part in any co-op experience.

International students should review the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) requirements on the Office of Global Services (OGS) website. Students on F-1, J-1, and other visas that allow curricular practical training (CPT) are permitted to go on co-op under a co-op coordinator’s supervision. Upon acceptance of a job, international students are required to complete a CPT Authorization Request Form and follow the instructions to gain needed work authorization. During the process, students should work closely with their co-op coordinator and the Office of Global Services (OGS).

While many employers hire international students or permanent residents, some (such as government contractors requiring US security clearance) are unable to do so. International students may consider a “home country co-op,” returning to their country of origin during the six-month work period. This does not require CPT authorization, and for some students it provides a welcome opportunity to work closer to home. Students considering this option should discuss it with their co-op coordinator as early as possible.

Am I guaranteed a job?

Getting a job in the real world depends on personal skills, experience, and professionalism, and can also be influenced by external factors such as market conditions and the size of the applicant pool. Co-op coordinators work to prepare students for a competitive job search process by:

• Requiring a level of professionalism before the job search begins.
• Working individually to improve job search skills and employability.
• Forming relationships with employers to develop new job opportunities and improve the quality of existing ones.

Even with those supports, the decision to hire rests with employers. In competitive job markets, students with weaker experience, grades, communication or job search skills may have difficulty obtaining co-op positions. Co-op coordinators will work closely with these students to identify positions that will be the best fit.

What kind of salary can I expect to receive?

College of Engineering co-op coordinators provide salary guidelines to employers, however employers make salary decisions based on the type of position, location, student skill sets, industry and their internal budgets.   Salary is one of many factors students consider when accepting a job offer.  Students are strongly encouraged to discuss all factors of concern with their co-op coordinator.

Are all co-ops full time?

Co-op experiences vary, but most co-ops are full time work experiences. Students must maintain full-time status for co-op experience credit. For more information on maintaining full-time status, please refer to the Academic Catalog pages for undergraduate students.

Can I take class while on co-op?

Undergraduate students may enroll in a course while on co-op, provided the course meets specified requirements and does not interfere with the student’s participation in their co-op experience. If you are interested in taking a course while on co-op, please review the “Undergraduate Coursework During a Co-op” section of the Student Co-op Policy Guide and discuss your plans with your co-op coordinator.

Can I work for the employer more than once?

Yes, however, before accepting a position with a previous co-op employer, consider the role for potential new learning and professional growth and discuss these with your coordinator.

Can I work remotely while on co-op?  

Students may work on a partially remote (hybrid) or fully remote basis, as required or allowed by the employer. Students are encouraged to read the job descriptions carefully to understand the employer expectations prior to applying to and accepting a position.

For students on a visa, please consult the Office of Global Services for more information on engaging in remote co-ops. For any remote co-ops, students on a visa must make sure they are maintaining on-ground presence required by the visa status. For some remote roles, students will need to enroll in EXED6945 to meet the on-ground visa requirements.

Please view the “Undergraduate Co-op Eligibility Requirements” in the Student Co-op Policy Guide and the Academic Catalog.

Access the Undergraduate Co-op Handbook for detailed information on the co-op program.

Please view the Student Co-op Policy Guide and the Academic Catalog for a comprehensive list of co-op policies.

We have provided this set of job descriptions to first-year undergraduate students to explore the different majors. These examples are taken from actual co-op job descriptions, but are changed to preserve the identity of the company, and do not represent currently available positions.

• Bioengineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Northeastern University requires professional and ethical behaviors throughout the entire co-op process and sets forth explicit policy and procedures required for the continued success of our students and the co-op program. Northeastern University standards, process, and policy are communicated to all students in the Introduction to Cooperative Education course as part of their preparation for the first co-op experience, in the Academic Catalog, in the Student Co-op Policy Guide, as well as by their individual co-op coordinator. The aforementioned avenues establish co-op professional expectations of the student throughout the co-op search process and during the co-op term, establish co-op policies and procedures, and address co-op related issues that may involve performance and the expected duration of co-op.

If a situation arises that may warrant special consideration, students should speak directly with their co-op coordinator to determine whether the matter is eligible for review by the university-wide Co-op Appeals Committee. The Co-op Appeals committee consists of Co-op Directors, Co-op Representatives, and Co-op Assistant Vice Chancellors.

All appeals must be made by completing and submitting an appeals form and must demonstrate one of the following grounds for petition:

Extenuating Circumstance: Significant, unforeseen, and/or unavoidable events or conditions beyond the student’s control substantially impacted a student’s ability to participate in or complete a cooperative education experience and the student would like an exception to be able to participate in or complete their co-op as intended. Please note: All petitions must explicitly reference the extenuating circumstance and the student must clearly demonstrate how these circumstances directly affected the cooperative education experience and the outcome/resolution they would like. The Appeals Committee cannot consider a student’s financial information as part of the student’s extenuating circumstances.

Policy/Procedural Error: A cooperative education policy or procedure was not properly followed, which adversely impacted the student’s ability to participate in a cooperative education experience. Please note: A petition cannot be submitted solely on the basis of dissatisfaction with a policy or procedure; it must explicitly reference a policy or procedural error.

Academic Need: An exception to an existing cooperative education policy is necessary to address a documented academic requirement or constraint that would otherwise substantially affect the student’s ability to progress toward or complete their degree. Please note: An appeal cannot be submitted solely on the basis of academic preference, convenience, or a desire to accelerate or extend degree completion. The appeal must clearly identify the academic need, confirmed by the students’ academic advisor and/or any other relevant University representative(s), explain why it cannot reasonably be addressed through existing academic options, and specify the exception and outcome/resolution being requested.

New Information: New information has become available after the Appeals Committee decision that could not reasonably have been available during the original petition AND may be sufficient enough to alter the original Appeals Committee decision. Please note: this constitutes a rare exception and you must clearly articulate the new information while explicitly providing a justification for its unavailability at the time of your original petition submission.

Reinstatement of NUworks Access: A student whose access to NUworks has been removed may request consideration for reinstatement by demonstrating circumstances that warrant renewed access and a commitment to complying with all applicable cooperative education policies and processes. Please note: The student appeal must include a written reflection explaining: (1) the circumstances that resulted in the loss of access; (2) the specific cooperative education policy or expectations the student did not meet; (3) what the student learned from the experience and what they would do differently; and (4) the specific steps the student has taken, or will take, to remain in compliance if access is reinstated.

The Co-op Appeals Committee has standing meetings to review appeals but may expedite an appeal for early review if they determine that a decision must be made before the next scheduled meeting, but that decision is to be determined by the committee. The decision of the committee will be considered final. For instructions on submitting an appeal, please contact your co-op coordinator.