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Internship, Co-Op, & Career Guidance

What employment opportunities are available during my academic tenure?

Internships and Co-Ops are both opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in real world environments. They also provide students the opportunity to become familiar with a potential employer. There are many benefits to an internship or co-op:

  • An opportunity to explore a career
  • An opportunity to network
  • Establishing mentors
  • An introduction to the field’s culture and etiquette
  • Acquiring new skills
  • Getting a real-world perspective on an occupation (How much overtime do employees really work? How much time is spent behind a desk versus in the field?)

Internship vs. Co-Op: What is the difference?

Internships:

  • Usually a one time work (10-12 week) assignment, often in the summer
  • Typically doesn’t interfere with classes due to timing, but less training is given due to this
  • Depending on the employer, the position can be paid or unpaid, full or part-time
  • Internships are usually limited to one area of responsibility

Co-ops:

  • Co-ops are a joint venture between the University, employer, and you
  • Traditionally, 3 work terms alternated with school terms, resulting in a 5-year degree program
  • Co-ops are full-time, paid positions
  • More training is offered through a co-op
  • Some co-ops are rotational, offering opportunities across functions

Gateway to a Career: Engineering Career Resource Center (ECRC)

The College of Engineering is home to the Engineering Career Resource Center. The ECRC provides services for students who are looking for full-time and part-time employment, internships, or co-ops. They are responsible for:

  • Providing assistance to locate internship, co-op, and career opportunities
  • Maintaining the CoE job posting and recruiting system, Engineering Careers, by 12twenty
  • Meeting with students to help edit their resume and cover letter
  • Providing mock interviews
  • Hosting the CoE Career Fair (generally held in late September and early February)

Please visit the ECRC website for any questions regarding internship/co-op/career opportunities, to set up an appointment for resume/cover letter editing, and general career guidance.

Company Information Sessions

Student organizations around campus host information sessions for students to learn about corporations. During an information session, a company representative will present information about the company, job opportunities, the recruiting process, and how to get an interview. Typically the session will start with a short presentation or video and then the floor will be opened for questions. Student organizations promote these opportunities via flyers and member emails.

International Travel Policy

The new International Travel Policy (SPG #601.31) pertains to all faculty, staff, and students engaged in University-related international travel. It addresses the health, safety, and security of U-M travelers.

Specifically, the SPG delineates policy regarding the U-M Travel Registry; travel abroad health insurance; emergency evacuation insurance; U-M travel warnings or University travel restrictions; and, international travel involving student groups.

University Travel Registry: All faculty, staff, and students traveling abroad must register their international travel in the Registry before departure. This confidential and secure database provides a convenient tool for the traveler and the department to coordinate travel details. It will also help the University locate you if an emergency situation arises.

Travel Abroad Health Insurance: All students traveling abroad are required to have travel abroad insurance coverage from the University’s authorized vendor. Faculty and staff traveling internationally are covered under the University’s blanket policy with that vendor.

Emergency Evacuation Insurance: All faculty, staff, and students traveling internationally are covered under a blanket policy for emergency evacuation due to political unrest or natural disaster.

University Travel Warnings or Travel Restrictions: This segment delineates policies pertaining to travel to destinations for which the University has issued a Travel Warning, and travel to destinations for which the University has issued a Travel Restriction.

International Travel Involving Student Groups: Includes specific requirements for University-sponsored travel abroad and student-initiated group travel abroad.

Detailed procedures and forms are available online on the Global Michigan site.

International travel is increasingly important to our work. Our students are taking to heart our encouragement to study abroad. The University has developed this policy and the resources that support it in order to make the international travel experience more enjoyable and secure for the entire University community.