SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Co-op & Internship Overview
Cooperative Education and Internship Program
Electrical, Computer, and Software Engineering
If you are a student in the Computer, Electrical, or Software Engineering programs, you can incorporate a cooperative educational or internship experience into your academic program. These experiences are considered professional, career-related experiences in an organizational setting for which the student may receive academic credit that applies to the degree program. These experiences are valuable for a student's professional career development. You are responsible for finding the position on your own. You can utilize the resources offered by the Career Development Center (pennstatebehrend.psu.edu/student/cdc) and the University Park Engineering Co-Op Office (www.engr.psu.edu/coop) to find a position.
Cooperative Education Program
Cooperative (Co-op) education programs typically require that you alternate semesters between school and work and therefore extend your to time to graduation, normally to five years. In a co-op program students typically rotate semesters between working full-time and going to school full-time. Sample rotation patterns are available on the Electrical, Computer, and Software Engineering webpage and in the School of Engineering Student Handbook. The choice of particular rotation depends on both the needs of the co-op employer, your personal situation, and the courses you have completed completed. You need to carefully consider the prerequisite sequence for the program as well as the fact that many courses are only taught in the semester listed on the scheduling pattern. It is important that you clearly state your co-op rotation terms in the objective of your resume.
If you are on track to graduate, you will normally take a lighter course load during your senior year due to the substitution of co-op credits for a technical elective. In addition, you may be able to obtain a minor in another field to enhance your education. Popular minors for ECSE students include Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Mathematics, and Physics. If you wish to consider a minor, you should consult your advisor and the appropriate school for further details.
Internship Program
Internship experiences are less formal than co-op rotations. Internships experiences can occur during the academic year or during the summer. During the academic year, internships differ from a co-op in that students work and attend the university at the same time. The amount of time spent by the student at the internship location is approximately ten to fifteen hours during the academic year and ten to forty hours during the summer. Sample internship program schedules are available on the Electrical, Computer, and Software Engineering website and in the School of Engineering Student Handbook.
If you have questions or would like to apply for Behrend Electrical, Computer, or Software Engineering cooperative or internship educational programs please contact the Xuping Xu, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.