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Internships & Co-ops: FAQs

1. What are internships?

2. Can I get academic credit for an internship?

3. What are co-ops?

4. Are internships and co-ops full-time or part-time?

5. Are internships and co-ops paid or unpaid?

6. When is the best time to do an internship or co-op?

7. How do I get started?

1. What are internships?

Internships are work experience related to your academic program. Companies usually offer internships during the summer. Internships can be for credit or non-credit.

2. Can I get academic credit for an internship?

Credit internships are done under the guidance and supervision of an appointed faculty member assigned within your major. Most credit internships are done during the school year while you carry a partial or full course load. The fee associated with your credit internship is included in your regular semester tuition.

Non-credit internships are usually done independently and do not need to be approved by your department. A non-credit internship may be done full-time or part-time during the summer or part-time during the semester.

3. What are co-ops?

Please refer to the UConn Career Services website for specific details concerning co-ops. You must apply, through Career Services, for all co-ops.

Co-ops are structured work experience related to your academic program.

The work cycle for co-ops is typically six to eight months. The fall cycle lasts from July 1 to December 31; the spring cycle extends from January 1 to June 30. However, many co-ops are multi-term and also span the summer months. Schedules vary depending on when you need to be in school and when the employer needs you to work. Students whose co-ops span the summer or January break need not secure the University's permission or submit paperwork to continue work during these periods.

Students working in a co-op position pay a $45 registration fee and a predetermined infrastructure fee, which maintains your full-time student status at the University while you are working. No additional tuition fees are required.

4. Are internships and co-ops full-time or part-time?

Internships can be either. It depends on employers' needs and the way each employer chooses to structure an intern program.

Co-ops are always full-time (i.e., 35 hours/week) positions.

5. Are internships and co-ops paid or unpaid?

Internships can be paid or unpaid. Co-op positions are always paid.

6. When is the best time to do an internship or co-op?

You may do your summer internship anytime during your four years at UConn. Many students find it helpful to do several, beginning as early as the summer between the freshman and sophomore years. This allows you to learn more about your preferences in a work environment and engineering discipline.

Co-ops, because they involve an academic semester, must be carefully planned. The optimal time to participate in a co-op is during the fourth semester. It is necessary for you to work closely with your departmental faculty advisor and the Undergraduate Office to plan this. It is also critical that you notify Career Services in advance of any co-op so you can retain your good standing as an undergraduate student at UConn.

7. How do I get started?

The School of Engineering offers a number of ways to explore internship opportunities.

• One good place to start is our School website. Click here to find company websites and portals that you may browse for opportunities.
• You should also attend the engineering career fairs sponsored within the School of Engineering: Many employers are interested in hiring interns as well as permanent employees.
• In addition, you may wish to visit UConn's Career Services website to review their advice and opportunities.

For co-op opportunities:

• Co-ops entail a very prescribed set of steps. It is important that you refer to the UConn Career Services website for specific details concerning co-ops. You must apply, through Career Services, during the semester preceding your work assignment, for all co-ops.
• Note that you must be a full-time student, have completed 24 credits, and have an overall GPA of 2.0 to be eligible for a co-op.
• Additionally, you must meet with the Internship Coordinator prior to starting your job. Call 860-486-3013 to schedule an appointment to review the paperwork requirements. At this appointment, you need to bring your offer letter, unofficial transcript, and current resume.
• Within the first two weeks of the semester, you and your co-op supervisor must complete specific agreement forms and submit them to Career Services. Additional forms and discussions will be completed during the course of the co-op.

Click here to view relevant topics in the UConn Internship/Co-op Guidebook.