You just landed a Co-op. Now what?

Congratulations! You’ve just landed your first co-op. All your hard work and effort in job searching has paid off, and you’re about to gain valuable real-world experience. After the excitement of the news dies down, a burning question enters your mind. Now what?

I went through the same process when I accepted my first co-op. I was over the moon about officially starting my career as a civil engineer, with no idea how to prepare for my start date. Countless questions and scenarios raced through my head as I tried to think about every possibility. Unfortunately, I had little direction and my expectations on my first day were solely mismatched for the experience. If I could travel back in time and talk to my past self before I started my first co-op, I would instruct him with the following list of tasks.

1. Find somewhere to live

Unless your company is providing you with accommodations or the location of the job site is close enough to home, you need to start looking for a place to live immediately. Three months is the length of a single-block co-op, and nearly all apartment complexes will not lease a unit for that short period of time. Your best bet is to search for a long-term Airbnb rental, or search through the grapevine of your family and friend’s connections to see if they have anyone living in the area. I have seen people sublet apartments from local students in the area while they leave for the summer. In order to arrange that type of living situation, you need to start reaching out to your fellow interns as soon as possible. If you have a double-block co-op, which typically lasts between 7-8 months, you may have some luck at some apartment complexes. Long-term rentals, friends, or family are still your best bet though.

2. Determine the dress code and purchase clothes accordingly

No matter the environment in which you are working, there will always be some form of dress code. If you were not told in the interview what the dress code was, now is a perfect time to follow up with your hiring manager and ask them.

The minimum acceptable attire for an office position is business casual attire. This includes but is not limited to wearing khakis, dress shoes, a collared shirt, and a belt. Your clothes need to fit you properly. Do not wear overly baggy or casual clothing to an office; it makes you look unprofessional and will harm your reputation. Depending on the company and the role, you could be required to wear something more formal than business casual. Your hiring manager or supervisor will be able to elaborate on exactly what they’re looking for when it comes to employee attire. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions if you don’t understand what they’re talking about.

If you’re working in the field, your company will typically provide you with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). Some companies may not provide you with it, so you’ll need to purchase steel-toed boots, a high-visibility jacket, a helmet, and protective glasses at a minimum. Ask your supervisor if you need additional equipment, such as ear plugs, gloves, or harnesses.

3. Scout out the surrounding area around your workplace and new residence

Take some time to research what’s around your new workplace and residence. Where’s the closest grocery store? Any good restaurants? Are there any shopping malls nearby or local shops? Having a general lay of the land before officially moving in and starting work will help you feel more comfortable in your new environment. It also helps having a few ideas prepared if your fellow interns are interested in socializing after work hours. If you’re living or working from home, it’s still worth searching around and seeing if you can find anything new that may have popped up.

4. Schedule having at least one week off before starting your new job

You need to have some time to relax in between major commitments. For summer co-ops, ask your prospective employer for a start date two weeks after finals ends. This gives you enough time to catch your breath and organize the logistics around moving into your new residence. I would still follow this advice even if you’re moving back home, since you may need to lease a storage unit if you don’t have enough space at home.

5. Connect with other interns

For my first internship, the hiring manager sent out an email with the names and contact information of all the interns arriving at the company that summer. Someone quickly added all our phone numbers to a group chat, and we quickly started chatting with each other and introducing ourselves. Having connected with the incoming interns made the beginning of the co-op experience seamless. There was no awkward introductory phase where all the interns were searching for each other; we immediately bonded once we met in person. 

Unfortunately, not all companies do this. If your company has not shared basic contact information of the other interns, do not stalk the internet trying to find them. Once you start your job, ask your supervisor and full-time colleagues if they know about other interns. They will likely guide you in the correct direction, and you can meet the incoming interns that way.

6. Have fun!

With how much RIT emphasizes co-ops, and co-ops being required in some programs, it’s easy to become obsessed about the work experience aspect of your new job. While the real-world experience you will gain is vital, do not forget that this is a terrific travel opportunity as well. It’s not everyday that you get to travel to a new place and stay there for months at a time. You will likely still have evenings and weekends to yourself, so go out and have fun! Make memories with your new intern friends and find engaging activities outside of the office. Your work experience will be greatly enhanced by these social outings.