Penn State Abington
Bob Avanzato
Assoc. Prof. of Engineering
email RLA5@psu.edu
last updated: February 14, 2008

Engineering Co-op and Internship Program

General Information | Procedure | Sample Resume | Contacts & Links | Q&A

Penn State University College of Engineering offers two programs to provide students with job opportunities. One program is a co-op program which is available to sophomores and beyond, and another program is an internship program which is available to freshmen and beyond.
All engineering and computer science majors at Penn State Abington are eligible to participate in the Penn State College of Engineering Cooperative (co-op) program starting in their sophomore year. Abington freshmen are eligible to participate in the engineering internship program (see details below).
Penn State offers one of the largest optional co-op programs in the United States.
Over 300 companies are involved in the engineering co-op and internship program at Penn State. Companies such as IBM, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Unisys, GE, Merck, Microsoft, Dept of Transportation, Honda, Toyota, Ford, SEPTA, etc. hire Penn State co-ops and interns.
Co-op and intern opportunities exist in the Phila. area, throughout Pa., throughout the U.S.A, and international.
Co-op consists 3 semesters of work in a career-related field. Students generally alternate between a semester of work and a semester of school. Co-ops can occur during the fall, spring, or summer. Generally, students stay at the same company for each of the 3 work rotations (but there are exceptions). When students return to a company, they are provided more responsibility. Students on co-op generally graduate in 4 ½ to 5 years.
An internship is generally a single summer experience, with no expectations to return. Although students may apply for multiple internships during their undergraduate years.
The first opportunity for a co-op job is the summer following the sophomore year. Students must apply during the spring semester to obtain a co-op in the summer. If students are interested in a fall co-op, then they apply in the summer (or spring). If students are interested in a spring coop, then apply during fall semester.
The first opportunity for an internship is the summer following the freshman year.
Co-op and internship students generally earn between $12 and $25 per hour . Average salary is approximately $15 per hour. Students are generally responsible for living expenses during co-op and internship. Income may affect student loans. All co-ops are paid opportunities. Internships are generally paid, but internships may also be unpaid.
Co-op and intern opportunities can greatly enhance your career and provide income to pay for education as well. Companies often use their co-ops to identify candidates for full-time hire after graduation.
Co-op and internship work is real engineering work. You will not be making coffee or making copies. You will work with real engineers and you will participate in real engineering work such as design, data analysis, testing, programming, quality control, manufacturing, CAD, etc. Of course, the actual work depends on your major and the company. You will be given all of the technical assistance you need to complete your tasks.
Engineering and Computer Science majors at the Abington campus have the same co-op and intern opportunities as those students at UP. Many interviews are scheduled at University Park location, but Abington students often request a phone interview or on-site interviews. This means that you will not be required to travel to University Park to attend an interview or meeting.
Co-op is an academic program and students will be registered for a special course (1 or 2 credits) during the coop. The co-op credits can be applied to graduation, and the number of credits that apply depend on the particular major. Students will be responsible for covering the tuition and fees for the 1-credit course. The University Park co-op office will handle the registration of the coop course once you have received an offer. You do not enroll in the coop course until after you actually accept a coop position. This will all be handled by the coop office.
The co-op program is administered from University Park. There is a real Co-op Office and staff workers in the Hammond Building a UP. The co-op director at UP is Rick McClintic rdmcop@engr.psu.edu . The UPark staff is very helpful. The Abington campus co-op advisor is Bob Avanzato rla5@psu.edu The Abington campus has access to all of the coop information.
The co-op and internship application and job-searching process is web-based, so that students from any Penn State location can participate. See www.engr.psu.edu/coop/
There is no obligation when you sign up to look for a co-op or internship position. You, the student, pick the companies to which you want to apply. You can apply to as few or as many companies as you like. Obviously, the more companies to which you apply, the better your chances of obtaining a position.
The engineering internship program available to every engineering freshman student and sophomore student at Abington. That is, freshmen can only apply to the internship program, but sophomores can apply to both the internship and coop program.
The internship program is also operated through UP Co-op office. Internships are generally engineering jobs that are one semester (or summer) in duration (while co-ops are generally 3 semesters of work). Internships are usually in the summer and are generally paid, but can also be unpaid. All freshman and sophomores may apply for an internship. Freshmen are eligible for internships during summer after freshman year. Sophomores may apply to both internships and co-op (this is recommended; maintain 2 resumes). Follow the same directions below for internship or co-op. Contact Jennifer Hicks jhicks@engr.psu.edu at UP for questions about internships.
Abington students are not required to attend any meetings or workshops at UP (even if it says so!). If you have an interest and opportunity to attend a UP event, you may optionally do so.
Many Abington students just like you have been successful in obtaining co-op and internship positions. You need to get involved and apply as soon as possible.
The minimum GPA for co-op and internship is 2.0. Although a high GPA is an advantage to obtaining a coop or internship, the employer looks at the "big picture" such as communication skills, previous experience, personality and people skills, and so on. Just go for it. Even if you do not get a job, the more interviews you go on, the better chances you have of obtaining a good job in the future.
The Penn State co-op and internship program does not guarantee a position in industry, however the program strives to connect students to industry opportunities. The majority of students who actively pursue co-ops and internships, work on developing a good resume and good interviewing skills, will eventually obtain positions.
Co-ops and internships do not require any previous work experience. The whole point is to get some job experience.
Use a "buddy system" to get started in this process. Select a friend who is also an engineering major and work together on the co-op and internship application process. Share experiences with resumes, on-line applications, getting forms sent out, etc. This will keep you motivated and on track. On of the most common reasons students do not participate in co-op and internship is that they claim they do not have time or they simply procrastinated. A co-op job and internship is one of the best ways to prepare for the future -- and you get paid for it -- do not make any excuses.

Procedure -- What to do to get started? (You should apply at beginning of semester; it does not cost anything to apply)

Decide when you wish to start a co-op (or internship). Generally, a student looks for a coop (or internship) the semester just before the job would start. For example, if you want a co-op (or internship) job in the summer, then apply and search for opportunities during the start of the spring semester. If you want a co-op job for the spring, then search in the fall. You should start the co-op process at the beginning of the semester to get access to all of the job opportunities. Typically, most freshmen and sophomores at Abington are looking for first co-ops and internship jobs for the summer.
Prepare a resume in MS Word (have someone review it!!!). Keep it simple. Make sure the resume contains no typos or errors. Click here for a sample resume. (Move on to other steps while this step is being completed. ) You do not need a cover letter to apply for co-op and internship jobs. Show your resume to Bob Avanzato or another engineering professor. Please also visit the career office in the Lares Building at the Abington campus to receive free help in creating your resume and handling interviews. Karen Carli and Carol DeBunda (Lares Building) will be able to assist you in job preparation.
Submit your name and student id to the Abington campus co-op faculty advisor or email directly to the University Pack co-op office indicating that you are interested in pursuing a co-op or internship (or both) position. This should be done immediately and can be done before you finalize your resume.
You will receive an email indicating that you now have access to the Co-op/Internship information on ANGEL (cms.psu.edu). You should go into Angel, find the co-op information, and follow the directions. You will be asked to fill out an agreement form. If you have any questions, contact the co-op office at UPark for assistance.
You may upload a new version of your resume at any later time. If you are applying for both a coop and an internship (this is recommended for sophomores), then you should have 2 versions of your resume on the job website. One version of your resume will say "coop" in the objective, and the other version of your resume will have "internship" in the objective. See resume link for a sample resume
Review job listing on the job co-op website once or twice per week during the entire semester.
Select job opportunities that interest you on the job website. Your resume will automatically be sent to this company. Mark "interested" to send resume to company. Then click "finished". Pick as many or as few companies you wish. The more jobs you select, the better your chances of obtaining a job. Some companies also want you to fill in a separate application on the website for their records -- do this if required.
Wait to hear if you have been selected for an interview. You will be notified by email and/or phone. Keep selecting jobs on the job website during this time.
If you are selected for an interview at UP, then request a phone interview. You must contact UP co-op office immediately to arrange a phone interview. If you arrange a phone interview, then you will not need to drive 4 hours (one way) to University Park. Requesting a phone interview will not hurt your chances of getting a job. Of course, if you can make arrangements to go to UP for an interview, then you may do this -- but it is not necessary.
Read co-op handbook and contact co-op office to get details on procedure once you have received an offer.
It is not necessary for Abington students to attend any mandatory co-op workshops or seminars at UP location. Of course, if you have the time and transportation, it is helpful to visit UPark for any meetings or events. If you have any questions, contact Bob Avanzato at Abington, rla5@psu.edu

SUMMARY of Procedure for co-op or internship

Forward your name, student id, and email to the Co-op office at UPark or at Abington indicating you are interested in co-op and/or internship. If you are interested in a job for the summer, do this by the start of the spring semester (during the first one or two weeks of the spring semester). If you are currently a freshman, then you can apply for a summer internship only (not a coop). If your are a sophomore, you should apply for both the internship and the coop. (See contact name below)
After you register, log into Angel (cms.psu.edu) and find the co-op/internship group. Open up the information on Angel , and fill out any information, and follow directions for logging into job web system. You will receive an email from the co-op office explaining what to do.
Create resume and upload resume to job co-op website. You can get help in creating or reviewing your resume at the Abington campus. See Abington co-op advisor for details. Be clear about the objectives. Your resume for coop jobs should clearly state you are interested in a "coop" job. If you are interested in an internship job, then the résumé objective should say "internship" and not coop. Most students keep two versions of the same resume -- one for coop and one for internship.
Look for jobs (co-ops and/or internships) twice per week on the job co-op website. See handbook and Angel group for more details.
If you see a job you like, select the job on the web, and your resume will automatically be sent to the employer.
Wait to hear if you have been invited to an interview. Continue to apply for other jobs while you are waiting.
Some companies have a set date for the interview (if you have not been contacted by this date, then you were not selected for an interview. Keep searching.)
If you are invited to an interview, then contact the coop office at UPark to request a phone interview if you cannot attend the interview at UPark.
Go to the interview (or conduct phone interview). Be prepared to answer questions and ask questions (see Q&A below). Dress appropriately if in-person interview. Be on time!
If you get an offer and accept the offer, then notify co-op office at UPark immediately. They will help you setup the co-op or internship.
At any time, if you update or improve your resume, then send a new copy to the co-op website.

Contacts and Links

Engineering Cooperative Education Office (UP)
Rick McClintic (Director of Coop Program) rdmcop@engr.psu.edu
205 Hammond Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 863-1032
Fax: (814) 863-7496
Email: coop@engr.psu.edu

SEND YOUR REGISTRATION REQUEST EMAIL TO:

coop&internshipprogram@engr.psu.edu
Subject line of email should say "Registration request for Natalie"

Include your first name, last name, major/intended major, and PSU email address in the body of the email.

Natalie will then add you to our Angel Group and email instructions to them on the next step.

Penn State Engineering Coop Web Page (UPark)
http://www.engr.psu.edu/coop

Penn State Abington Campus Co-op Advisor
Bob Avanzato
Associate Professor of Engineering
Penn State Abington
Room 202 Rydal Building
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7358
RLA5@psu.edu

Questions and Answers (Q&A)

FAQ#1 Do I have to attend the co-op workshops and seminars scheduled at University Park?

While you are encouraged to participate in all co-op related activities, it is not required that you attend the workshops and seminars at University Park. It is understood that many of the Abington students have work and school commitments that can interfere with travel to UPark. (It takes approximately 4 hours to drive to University Park from Abington -- one-way). Penn State Abington can provide you with all the necessary information. (Of course, if you have the time and transportation, it is helpful to visit UPark for any meetings or events.) Please contact your co-op coordinator, Bob Avanzato, if you have any questions regarding events at University Park.

FAQ#2 How can I get my own co-op position?

Co-op positions can be acquired by students through friends, parents, relatives who work at companies with opportunities. It is also possible to identify local companies through want-ads in the local newspapers and on the Internet. Check with the Coop/Internship office at University Park to determine if there is already a relationship with the company before contacting them. All co-op positions must be approved by the Co-op/Internship Office at University Park. Most students do not find their own co-op jobs -- they rely on the many job listings that will appear on the co-op and internship website.

FAQ#3 What are the typical salaries for co-op positions?

We expect the co-op positions will be offering compensation in the range of $10 to $25 per hour. The salary offered to a student will depend on academic qualifications, resume, prior experience, interview skills, location of company, etc.

FAQ#4 Will the student pay for living expenses if the co-op opportunity requires relocation?

Yes. Students are responsible for living expenses if relocation is required. Generally, companies offer assistance in locating temporary housing if necessary. In some cases, companies will offer housing stipends, but this is not always the case. The salary earned by students on a co-op will more than cover any living expenses.

However, companies will generally compensate students for travel to an interview or to visit the company if needed.

Please consider a co-op even if requires relocation. Some students turn down offers requiring relocation because the students do not want to pay for living expenses. This is generally a mistake. The job opportunity will make strengthen your resume and provide you with useful career building experiences. It is also a learning experience to live away from home and meet people from another location. Talk to your family about the possibility of relocation so you will be prepared to make an informed decision.

FAQ#5 Is it better wait until I am a junior (when I will have more skills) until I apply for a co-op job?

No. There are many benefits to applying to the co-op program as early as possible (i.e. when you first are eligible). For one, even if you are not successful in obtaining a job, you will gain some valuable experience in the interviewing process. Second, your resume clearly communicates the extent of your knowledge. Companies are fully aware of the limits of your knowledge and skills, and will provide you with assignments that are compatible with your level of training. The companies will provide the necessary training and assistance required for you to complete your assignments.

FAQ#6 Can I do all 3 of my co-op assignments during summers only?

No. Generally the work assignments alternate between work and school, and it will not be possible to schedule summer only work for all of the 3 required work assignments. Also, companies are interested in co-op support throughout the year, so they are less likely to hire summer-only co-ops. It is possible, depending the needs of a company, to do 2 summers worth of co-op. For example, say you started your first co-op in the summer of 2008. Then you went to school full-time in the fall of 2008. Perhaps you could then arrange a "double coop" whereby you returned to work in the spring of 2009 and continued into the summer of 2009. This schedule will depend on the needs of the company.

FAQ#7 How can I strengthen my resume through extra-curricular activities?

It is highly recommended that Abington students consider membership in the Abington Engineering Club (see Dr. Howard Medoff for details). It is also possible for students to acquire leadership roles in the club. Club activities include field trips, invited speakers, workshops, social events, etc. Freshman as well as sophomores are encouraged to become members.

Also, electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science students should seriously consider membership in the IEEE (Institute for Electronics and Electrical Engineers; www.ieee.org) professional organization. We have a student branch of the IEEE at Abington and the branch counselor is Bob Avanzato, Room 202 Rydal Building (email rla5@psu.edu). Networking and educational opportunities are available as members of professional societies. As members, students also receive literature describing current trends in industry and presentations of real-world applications of engineering theory. Students are encouraged to participate and support the annual robot design contests offered at Penn State Abington each year.

Mechanical, aerospace, civil, architectural engineering students should consider membership in the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Professional Society. Prof. Howard Medoff is the coordinator of the Abington branch of the ASME Chapter.

Another opportunity at Abington is to participate in a research activity with an Abington faculty member through the ACURA (Abington College Undergraduate Research Activities) Program. More information can be found at the ACURA website. Many Abington freshmen and sophomore engineering and computer science students have participated in ACURA research over the years.

FAQ#8 If I want to get a summer coop, when should I apply during the spring semester?

You should begin the application process (sign and mail form, create and upload resume) in January/February of spring semester for a summer coop.. Job postings will appear in late January and early February and continue throughout the semester. IMPORTANT: Job posting will stay on the coop website for only a week or two, then the posting will be removed. For example, a job at IBM might appear on the coop website between Feb 1 and Feb 10. If you have not registered for coop, and looked at the website, and selected IBM between Feb 1 and Feb 10, then you will have missed the opportunity to apply to IBM. This is also the case for other companies. The reason for this is so that companies can schedule interviews throughout the semester. This means that if you wait until March or April to register for coop, you will have missed the opportunity to apply to dozens of companies. Register early. It does not cost any money to register for co-op and look for jobs. Remember, once you have registered, you must manually pick the companies on the coop website to which you want your resume sent. If you do not manually select the companies on the website, then your resume will never be sent to any companies.

FAQ#9 What is the difference between a co-op and an internship?

Internships are generally one summer or semester (total of 3 months) in duration, while co-ops generally consist of 3 semesters of work (total of 12 months). Co-ops are almost always paid, while internships are either paid and unpaid. Freshmen are eligible for internship during the summer after freshman year. Sophomores may apply to both internships and co-op. This increases the chance of getting a job opportunity. This is recommended and sophomore students should maintain 2 resumes. One resume objective says you are looking for an internship, the other resume says you are looking for a co-op. The other information on your resume is the same. . As far as the actual work is concerned, and internship is similar to the first work period of a co-op. The advantage of a co-op is that in a co-op you return to the company for 3 work periods and you are given more responsibility. Both experiences are valuable.

FAQ #10 What happens if I get a co-op position during the school year, but I already have a dorm contract or an apartment commitment?

If you obtain a co-op position, the University will allow you to be officially removed from your dorm contract. This procedure is done through the co-op office at University Park. If you have an apartment commitment, then you should attempt to sublet your apartment obligation to another student for the semester. Contact the co-op office at University Park for advice about advertising your apartment.

FAQ #11 What kind of questions do employers ask students during interviews for a co-op and an internship?

Here are some typical questions (these questions vary from one employer to another)

How would you describe yourself and your interests?

Why did you pick your major?

Why did you pick Penn State?

What are your favorite subjects? Why?

What are your career objectives?

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Why are you interested in this company? (You should do some basic research of the company before the interview)

Explain some of your responsibilities at your previous jobs (if any).

What type of computer skills do you have?

Have you ever worked in a team? Explain. How did you resolve conflicts between team members?

Why do you have some low grades? (if applicable)

Also, it is important that the students ask questions to the employer. Here are some examples. (Do not ask about salary during first interview)

What type of work will I be doing?

What specific skills are required for these tasks?

Will I be working in a team?

How will I be evaluated in my job?

What types of computer skills will I be expected to know?

What types of new skills will I be learning or be exposed to?

What type of company orientation will be given?

FAQ #12 How can I get help with my resume?

Use the sample resume as a template.

Also, check this older copy of the co-op handbook that contains several resume examples

Keep your resume simple. Use 10-point or 12-point font. Keep your resume to one page if at all possible.

Include any job experience (even if it is non-technical such as McDonalds; this shows responsibility)

Do not lie or exaggerate on your resume.

You can show your resume to Prof. Bob Avanzato at Abington campus for comments. Do not email your resume to Prof. Avanzato. It is recommended that you visit with a hardcopy of your resume during his office hours.

You can also bring your resume to Carol-Anne Minski or Carol DeBunda in the Career Center in the Lares Building at Abington campus. You should also consider attending any resume building workshops at Abington.

FAQ #13 What are my chances of getting a co-op or internship as a freshman or sophomore?

Roughly, you have between a 25% and 75% chance of getting an interview and job when you apply for your first summer co-op or internship. Many factors influence these odds. Factors include your academic performance, the quality of your resume, your interviewing skills, the economy, how many companies you apply to , etc. For example, some students only apply to jobs that are in the local Philadelphia PA area -- this obviously limits the number of companies to which you can apply, and decreases overall your chances of getting a summer co-op or internship. Some students wait until the middle or the end of the spring semester to apply for a position in the summer -- this is not good. By waiting until middle or the end of the semester, you have missed many opportunities at many companies. The key is persistence. Keep applying for coops and internships every semester. Start early in the semester prior to when you want to start your job. If you go on an interview and you do not get the job, then do not be discouraged. You learn a lot every time you go on a job interview. If you get one or two interviews during your freshman or sophomore year, this will be a great accomplishment. Overall, the vast majority of engineering students who want to co-op will have the opportunity to coop at some point while they are at Penn State -- we just cannot guarantee it will happen the first summer. Once you have completed a co-op or internship, you now have some interesting technical experience to place in your resume, and now you have a better chance of getting a future co-op or internship or full time job.