Career Planning, Job Placement, and Cooperative Education Center

 

 

Cooperative Education

A high percentage of students today are working their way through college, and a great many liberal arts students are “undecided” about their educational/career goals. The Cooperative Education program at South Florida Community College is a way of reaching out to students and providing meaningful work assignments that (a) make use of the student’s academic training, and (b) assist the student’s career development. Student’s, the college, and employers work together to provide a plan for students to integrate periods of relevant employment with campus study. The Cooperative Education program is a very practical way of learning. It gives students a realistic approach to the job.

Eligibility Guidelines

All regular SFCC students, full or part-time, with the exception of Nursing, are eligible for Cooperative Education work experience, provided they:

• Demonstrate the ability to profit from the experience.
• Have completed at least 12 credit hours of college study.
• Maintain a C average or better.
• Meet the employer’s requirements.

Those students who have not selected a program major and who would like to utilize Cooperative Education as a means of exploring career options may apply as well.

Student Benefits

• Provides an opportunity for career exploration.
• Increases educational motivation.
• Develops self-confidence and professional skills.
• Helps to defray college expenses.
• Provides useful contacts for future employment.

Employer Benefits

• A dependable source of labor.
• Better utilization of personnel.
• Recruiting and training at a lower cost.
• Establishes goodwill ambassadors through students returning to campus.

Application Process

Students interested in the Cooperative Education program must obtain an application form from the Career Center Office. Students are encouraged to apply before or during pre-registration so that class schedules can be adjusted to fit their needs. It will be necessary to talk with the Cooperative Education Director briefly for program approval.

Cooperative Education Can Work For You!

There is no limit to the variety of locations available for Cooperative Education work experience with SFCC…. Business, industry, government, or professional. Cooperative Education can work in several ways. Some of the successful options are:

• Part-time work with parallel part-time study schedule.
• Full-time work during the day with part-time (or full-time) studies at night.
• Full-time work during the day with full-time, alternating study for the next semester.

Work Schedules, hours per week, and salaries are mutually agreed upon by the employer and student. Although many students are placed by the Cooperative Education staff, it is possible for a student already employed to Cooperative Education (receive college credits) if such a position meets the program qualifications.