Is there a required number of rotations that your have to do? or can you just do one or 2 rotations?

12/5/2005 11:14:03 PM

No requirement at all.

I did 2

EDIT: Well, let me say this: it most likely depends on the employer. If they expect you for 3, then you're expected for 3.

[Edited on December 5, 2005 at 11:46 PM. Reason : .]

12/5/2005 11:45:25 PM

they try to make you do 3 but you can do 1 or 2 or 5 or any other #

12/5/2005 11:46:40 PM

You won't get the stamp on your diploma or whatever if you don't do three.

For all the "rules" they try to tell you... from what I saw its all about the employer.

12/6/2005 12:13:14 AM

They want you to do three rotations with the same company, but you are by no means obligated to (unless you sign a contract with said company, which I have never heard of before). You can do as many as you want, although it may be difficult to get hired if they know you are only going to do one rotation. You will only get the stamp on your degree if you do at least three, but nobody really cares whether or not you have the stamp or not. The more rotations you are willing to do, the better chance you will have of being hired.

12/6/2005 7:20:05 AM

About the stamp on your diploma, its not supposed to be just 3 rotations. But 2 Spring / Fall rotations and a summer rotation. If you work more than 1 summer, then you aren't working for a full year.

The co-op office trys to tell you that you have to do 3 and you have to do other things . . . but its all between you and the company.


Or you could just do one and drop outta the program.

12/6/2005 11:46:32 AM

word of advice-- don't make any decisions based on whether or not you'll get a stamp on your diploma. Co-op as much or as little as you and your employer decide is necessary.

12/6/2005 11:57:04 AM

Most employers see the co-op office as an easy way to get a pool of qualified applicants without having to do a lot of work, and most co-op students see the co-op office as a way to stay on their parents insurance and get gym privlages and athletics tickets while working. Don't let the co-op office convince you otherwise.

12/6/2005 1:21:50 PM

its not even a stamp on your diploma...its just a certificate that says "______ completed the Co-op program"

12/6/2005 1:43:32 PM

my friend got a $10,000 increase in his starting salary b/c he completed co-op. though it's the experience more than the stamp, but they wanted to see that he really did complete the three rotations.

12/6/2005 2:50:20 PM

^What field was he in? Was it with the same company that he did the co-op with?

[Edited on December 6, 2005 at 4:48 PM. Reason : w00t, 11000]

12/6/2005 4:48:24 PM

^^
I think there are some employers where this matters and can have the affect of increasing your salary like that. I know some employers also count it towards official work experience, which is a definite plus towards salary increases/promotions.

that said, I think the vast majority of employers don't care about a stamp on your diploma. Isn't the whole idea of co-op to do something less structured and more practical?

Intend on completing the program, but don't let it tie you down. There are no real penalties for deciding that you don't want to spend a few extra semesters co-oping (especially if that time could be spent working full time).

[Edited on December 6, 2005 at 5:15 PM. Reason : ]

12/6/2005 5:01:47 PM

Quote :

"its all between you and the company."

You tell whatever to the coop office to make them happy and fill out whatever paperwork they ask of you. Anything else is strictly between YOU and your company. If after a Fall rotation, your company wants you to rotate until the end of the summer ... consider it as an option. Thereotically, its better if you do school/work, school/work as you can bring knowledge from both back and forth to each's tables.

I did 2 rotations ... not one interviewer asked if I "completed" my coop ... they saw experience, they asked me about it, they were happy.

12/6/2005 5:58:01 PM