Cooperative Education

The answer is no. You are not placed into a co-op position, but rather you apply and go through the same hiring process you would when you look for a job after graduation. The Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education does guarantee we will help you in any way we can with your search.

Standard academic credit is not given for co-op. However, you earn “credit” in that your department assigns a grade of “Satisfactory” (S) when you have met all of their requirements and have successfully completed your co-op assignment.

You do not pay tuition or any institute fees while on co-op even though you remain eligible to utilize all the facilities and services of the Institute.

It is ultimately up to the employer, but they often base it upon comparable co-op salaries and a candidate's experience. There may be room for negotiation. Your employer also determines eligibility for benefits, if any.

Check out the latest co-op salary data

Jobs, which are listed through Career Connect, are “approved” co-op positions. If you obtain a co-op position on your own and are not sure if it is acceptable, see your Career Services Coordinator, faculty advisor, or department chair before accepting the job. Keep in mind that if the job meets the criteria, it doesn’t matter if a company calls the job an internship or temporary employment.

A single co-op block is the same length as an academic term. You may, in fact, work longer depending on your exam schedule the preceding term and on your employer’s needs. A double block is two consecutive terms of work, without a break in between. Many students are scheduled for double blocks; others may choose to double block. Confirm with your academic department before committing to a double block to ensure your work does not interfere with courses. You and the employer negotiate the start date and the expected end date of the work period.

Maybe. Some co-op jobs are located in the Rochester area. Depending upon your program, there may be many or very few positions in Rochester. There is high competition for these positions. It is not advisable to limit your job search to any one specific area. You will enhance your chances of landing a position if you are geographically flexible. You should seriously consider all co-op opportunities in your career field for which you qualify, regardless of location.

Many out-of-town employers provide some help in finding temporary housing. The assistance varies: some companies will provide a list of possible apartments and room rentals; some will pay for a hotel for a few days while you are looking; some have co-op housing already arranged. It is a good idea to check with the colleges in the area because residence hall space is frequently available, especially in the summer. It is appropriate to discuss your housing concerns with an employer once an offer has been made.

Yes, but start early! Visit our International Experience page for more information.

Maybe. Some employers, especially those located out of state, will pay for all or part of your relocation expenses. It is important to have a clear understanding of your obligation before accepting a co-op position if extensive travel expenses are anticipated.

Yes. According to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, salaries/wages paid to co-op students are fully subject to applicable federal income taxes. They are also subject to applicable state income taxes. Any type of personal income should be assumed taxable unless IRS regulations specifically declare it to be “excludable” (i.e., tax-exempt). There is no exclusion of co-op wages in current regulations. International students are required to pay federal and state income taxes but not FICA (social security tax). It should be understood that the above information/advice is provided only as a convenience for you and is not legally binding. Students seeking further info should contact the Internal Revenue Service.

Cooperative education is for a limited time only and with established start and end dates. Eligibility for unemployment compensation is governed by state law, and in most circumstances co-op students are not eligible for unemployment compensation at the end of their co-op experience. In the event that a student is terminated from a co-op position prior to its originally scheduled end date, eligibility for unemployment compensation, if any, will be determined by the specific facts of the termination and applicable state laws.

Currently, in the State of New York, co-op students are not eligible by law for Unemployment Insurance Benefits resulting from their co-op work experience.

See your career services coordinator as soon as you feel anxious about your co-op job search. We can evaluate your search, make suggestions, and provide additional services that will assist you in meeting your goal. As a last resort, if co-op is mandatory for your program, a discussion with your academic department may be in order. Depending upon the circumstances, it is possible that your co-op will be delayed or waived.

No. Once you have completed all your degree requirements, you are no longer eligible for RIT’s co-op program. Co-op is part of your experiential education while you are studying at RIT.

Some programs do not require completed co-ops as part of their degree requirements, but there may be an option to co-op if students wish to get this experience, and it does not interfere with a student's sequence of classes. For example, most of the programs in the College of Art and Design offer co-op as one of their Experiential Learning Options. Click on your degree in this list of RIT degree programs to learn about co-op requirements or options.

Yes, fill out the student work report the best you can, this will also give you a reference point when completing the December evaluation. Most departments will grade the first block at the end of the summer and the second one in December.

Yes, you may continue to work for the employer part-time. If you would like to receive additional co-op credit for the part-time status, you may need to talk with your academic advisor to make sure you can register the experience and earn additional credit towards co-op completion. Some departments have a part-time co-op registration code in SIS, which will allow students to register for coursework and a limited number of credits. If you do not need additional co-op credit, you can continue to work for the employer.

Yes, please update any changes to your supervisor, salary, and/or start and end date in Career Connect. Career Services must have the correct supervisor to send the employer evaluation so that you will obtain credit for the experience. Co-op salary is important, especially if you are doing a double block and receive an increase after completing the first block.

If you need to change your supervisor information, visit www.rit.edu/supervisorupdate.

Regardless of your individual end date, student work reports and employer evaluations are sent toward the end of each semester.

Note: If the Co-op Evaluation System says “Company Opt-Out,” it means your employer does not complete RIT’s co-op evaluation form. There is no negative impact on you due to their company policy.

Sometimes co-op students finish projects much faster than their supervisor anticipates. Other times projects are delayed for reasons out of the employer's control. Some ideas are to talk with your supervisor about additional projects that you can work on or ask if you could shadow or help out in other areas. Proposing a project to your supervisor is another great way to show initiative. Finally, you may consider asking your supervisor if there is an additional skill set that you could teach yourself that may be helpful to the company. LinkedIn Learning is a great resource for adding to your skill set. If you need help navigating your situation please schedule an appointment with your career services coordinator.

This can be a challenge as co-op supervisors are often very busy. You may wish to start by letting your supervisor know that you are unsure of who to go to with questions when they are not available. Your supervisor will likely provide you with another person to go to when they are not available. You can also ask your supervisor to have regular, brief check-in meetings to keep you on track. Finally, is there another manager or teammate that you are comfortable asking for assistance? If you need help navigating your situation please schedule an appointment with your career services coordinator.

Great question and glad you asked! Vacation time will need to be requested in advance and approved by your co-op supervisor. Vacation time, when approved, would be without pay.

Talk with your supervisor and follow the employer's vacation request policy. You do not have to report time off to Career Services. This does not count against you in regard to the number of hours/weeks you need to fulfill your co-op requirements.

The first step is to let your supervisor know. Your supervisor will let you know which department to reach out to. Depending on the size of your company you may have a payroll office otherwise you will most likely be directed to reach out to human resources for assistance. If you continue to need help navigating your situation after you have done this, please schedule an appointment with your career services coordinator.

Typically if an employer is asking you to help out on a few weekends it is because they are in need of assistance: a big project coming due or are short-staffed. If your schedule allows for you to do so and you are willing to, it would reflect positively. It is OK to ask if this is a one- or two-time occurrence. If they are looking to change your schedule permanently and you are not interested in this option, it would be best to have a conversation with your supervisor about your availability. If you need help navigating your situation please schedule an appointment with your career services coordinator.

The first thing you should do is talk with your supervisor. Sometimes assignments change due to the needs of the employer, so to get a better idea of your role, start by talking with your supervisor and coming up with a plan. When you meet with your supervisor, please have a copy of the job description or what you thought your responsibilities would be so you can review it with him/her.

Unfortunately, the cost of living and your expenses doesn’t constitute a raise. Most companies budget a co-op salary ahead of time, so it may not be in the budget to give you a raise based on that reason alone. However, you may talk to your supervisor about a salary increase during your review period. At this time, you need to prove why you earned a raise based on the quality of work you have done for the employer thus far. If you are on a double block at the end of the first period, you can demonstrate the projects you have worked on and the value you have added to the team.

Of course, the decision to quit should not be taken lightly. Your career services coordinator can help you work through any issues you may have that are causing you to want to quit before the agreed-upon end date and possible ramifications. Often we can work together to improve a work situation so you can complete your co-op. In rare instances, it may end up being the best course of action.

When you are registered for co-op in SIS, you are considered a full-time student. You have access to many of the same services and resources as you do when not on co-op. Access to the RIT Health Center services is an exception as it is fee-based and covers office visits and many of the basic services students may need from Counseling and Psychological Services and the Student Health Center. You can choose to pre-pay the fee for the semester you are on co-op by submitting a request directly to the Student Health Center, or you can choose to get charged for individual visits. (Please note you need to physically be in New York State to receive services).

Counseling and Psychological Services will work with students to the best of their ability while you are on co-op. In the event that they are not able to meet with you for support, Case Management can assist you in finding services that meet your needs. 

Accessing Services:

• Students who are on co-op in New York State and have the ability to get to campus can use Counseling Services at RIT. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Schedule, change, or cancel an appointment using a secure message on the RIT Wellness Portal or contact us at 585-475-2261. (Please note the Student Health fee only covers the fall and spring semesters. To access services during the summer, students may need to pay additional fees)
• Students who are out of state or cannot get to campus can contact Case Management at 585-475-3963 or casemanagement@rit.edu for assistance with identifying services in their local area. Case Management can also assist students with finding financial support to access services.
• Students can contact the after-hours line at 855-436-1245 for immediate assistance. 

For more information, visit the Counseling and Psychological Services website at https://www.rit.edu/counseling/get-support.

You have a few options. Every employer has policies against discrimination and harassment. You should be able to find these policies by contacting your employer's human resources (HR) department. This information is often located online but feel free to contact HR if you can't locate it. If you have concerns about what may happen to your complaint and you are uneasy, you can contact the Title IX Office at RIT. You can share what is happening without providing identifying information (who, where, when) and staff in the Title IX Office can review options with you. You may also reach the RIT Ombuds Office if you are looking for a confidential resource.

Dealing with a challenging co-worker or supervisor can be difficult, but there are steps you can take to address the situation effectively. The most important thing to do is to remain calm and plan a professional response. Schedule a time to speak with someone in Career Services who can assist you in creating a plan of action. Check out our Building Professional Relationships handout with additional information.

Feeling like you're not being taken seriously due to gender bias in a male-dominated field can be disheartening, but there are steps you can take to address this issue and assert your value and expertise. Assertive communication practices may help you advocate for yourself. Our Building Professional Relationships handout offers some strategies to boost your confidence. To practice the communication techniques provided or to discuss ways to navigate your specific situation please schedule an appointment with your career services coordinator.

We understand that internships and co-ops can be demanding, both professionally and personally. Navigating a new environment and routine can be a challenge for anyone, especially when you are also separated from your familiar support systems. Seeking support is the best first step you can take.

1. Reach out to RIT’s Counseling and Psychological Services for support. They can inform you of resources available to you or direct you to Case Management where they will help you connect with local resources.
2. Consider reaching out to your supervisor if you feel comfortable. Your employer may be able to provide resources through an employer wellness program or assist you in identifying support services in your new community.
3. Stay connected with your support network as much as possible. Connections with family and friends are important for our well-being. Schedule regular check-ins with your support network or invite your friends to a special online get-together. You have access to Zoom–use it to help you stay connected. Consider inviting friends or family to visit or plan a weekend to visit home. Make sure to work with your co-op supervisor and follow employer policies if you need to take days off to travel or take a mental break.
4. Practice healthy routines and self-care: Make sure you build time to relax, exercise, and engage in activities you enjoy. Develop a routine that allows for eight hours of sleep each night and make sure your diet includes healthy options to give your body the nutrients it needs to be your best self.

Please remember that it's OK to ask for help and that you're not alone in facing these challenges. Your well-being matters and we are here to support you throughout this experience.

Making friends in a new city can be challenging. There are many strategies you can try to find new friends closer to your age. That being said, as you enter your professional life you are more likely to be entering spaces that are multi-generational. Don’t underestimate the value of becoming friends with professionals in your workspace. Developing relationships with your older co-workers could lead to invaluable connections and mentorship opportunities that could help you advance your career.

Here are some tips to help you build friendships in and out of the workplace:

1. Workplaces are more multi-generational than the classroom but don’t underestimate the value of making connections with your co-workers. Ask people to connect for lunch in order to learn more about them and their roles.
2. Stay connected with your existing network. Your friends and family can help ease feelings of loneliness as you adjust to a new environment. Schedule phone calls, virtual hangouts, or plan weekend visits. 
3. Join a structured activity. Look for events in your community that meet on a regular basis like a yoga or fitness class. 
4. Look for young professional networking events. Local chambers of commerce often run or collaborate with young professional groups that offer events to promote social engagement in the community and skill development for new professionals.