Cooperative (Co-Op) Education Program
Build your skills while serving your community
Obtaining short-term and part-time paid jobs with hands-on training/practice related to science and engineering majors while attending university can help students land good jobs after graduation. Co-Op Education Program is one of the options for students to gain that worthwhile college experience.
"As a young black woman in STEM, I have the opportunity to motivate and inspire others, like me, to also pursue careers in STEM … My advice to students thinking about applying to a job or an internship with the Co-Op Program, is to do it!” - Leilani N. Scott Young, CPP Co-Op student at Cal Fire
Co-Op Education Program
Obtaining short-term and part-time paid jobs with hands-on training/practice related to science and engineering majors while attending university can help students land good jobs after graduation. Co-Op Education Program is one of the options for students to gain that worthwhile college experience.
Participation in this program is voluntary and obtaining a cooperative (Co-Op) education assignment is competitive. Co-Op Education Program is a long-term paid education program designed for current sophomore, junior, and entering first quarter/semester senior undergraduate students in science and engineering who want to obtain practical work experience while pursuing a degree. This program prepares students not only for the work force by combining academic knowledge and on-the-job training specifically to their majors and career goals, but also provides employers with opportunities to evaluate students as potential full-time employees, while having them complete meaningful projects.
- Co-Op Education Program job opportunities are generally located in California.
- Students interested in the Co-Op Education Program must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA.
- Co-Op Education Program students hired through the Program are classified as Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises, Inc., employees.
- Co-Op Education Program students are required to attend college at least part-time and can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic year. In summer, they can work 40 hours per week and are not required to enroll.
- Co-Op Education Program students are required to enroll in a Co-Op internship credit course within the first 4 months in the Program and provide proof of passing the course.
- Work schedule is flexible and agreeable between students and industry partners' managers.
Benefits to Students:
- Networking opportunities with those in the industry
- Achieve a competitive edge over others who have not had real industry experience.
- Become professionals who can utilize their learning in the classroom and apply it to the workplace.
- Earn college credit for working in the job field related to career or educational goals
- Gain self-confidence and motivation
- Develop professionalism and leadership skills
- Improve level of job and salary offers upon graduation
- Applying higher education and real-world training and practice
- Co-Op students can prepare themselves successfully not only nationwide but globally for a changing world with growing challenges.
Students interested in the Co-Op Education Program must:
- Complete the Co-Op Education Program Interest form by visiting the Cal State portal.
- Apply online for each available Co-Op Education Program job opening in the Sponsored Program link on the CPP Foundation portal.
- Follow ALL the instructions on each job flyer to submit all the required items.
Cooperative Education Testimonial
Leilani N. Scott Young is a CPP Civil Engineering student and a Co-Op intern at CalFire. Learn how the Co-Op Education Program made an impact not only on her personal life, but as well as her professional life.