Differences between a Co-op and an Internship
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Often, the question of co-op vs. internship confuses a student. A co-op provides you with more opportunities to combine multiple periods of employment that are directly related to your area of study with different terms of coursework. Internships on the other hand are trainings that are generally undertaken during vacations. The article provides details regarding the two and contains a few questions and answers to differentiate between co-ops and internships.
Not just studying abroad, having some relevant work experience can strengthen your profile when you get out and look for work after the completion of your degree. This is when co-ops and internships come in handy to you. Both co-op and internship give you relevant practical work experience while completing your studies. However, there are some clearly defined differences between the two. This article dives deep into establishing a clear understanding of both co-ops and internships and with specifying the differences between the two.
- What is an Internship?
- What is a Co-op?
- What are the Differences Between Internships and Co-ops?
- List of Universities and Colleges Offering Internships & Co-ops
- Considering Cooperative Education
- Considering Internship
- Differences between a Co-op and an Internship FAQs
What is an Internship?
An internship is a short-term work experience which students in the second year or final year of their college are required to do as a part of their academic course requirement. Those indulging in an internship are able to get practical experience in a field or area in which they hold an interest and wish to pursue a career. Many times students who perform well and appear promising obtain a job offer as well from the company they are interning for. The duration of an internship can be either a few weeks or months. They can be paid as well as unpaid.
The main idea of an internship is to help students use their theoretical knowledge in a real-world set-up. Students tend to gain professional skills such as leadership qualities, communication abilities, problem-solving abilities, etc. while being in an internship. The connections which they build here help them in the long run. An intern always works under a guide or a mentor, who holds some position in the company. That mentor along with sharing his experience with the intern also helps him ace his or her many skills, learn new things and assist them in reaching his/her goals.
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What is a Co-op?
A co-op or cooperative education is a structured education programme which combines practical work experience with classroom learning. Through a co-op, students obtain significant hands-on experience and polish their understanding and knowledge which helps them in the long run. These are mostly paid and students along with acquiring some experience are able to get some compensation.
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What are the Differences Between Internships and Co-ops?
Below are the differences between co-ops and internships.
| Differences between Co-op and Internship | ||
|---|---|---|
| Parameters | Co-op | Internship |
| Duration | Typically lasts multiple terms (semesters or quarters) | Usually lasts for one term |
| Nature | Co-ops are generally full-time | Internships may be part-time or full-time. |
| Academic Integration | These are often integrated with coursework, may require specific classes | These are usually separate from academic coursework |
| Payment | Almost always paid | May be paid or unpaid |
| Flexibility | Less flexible due to structured work terms | Generally more flexible in terms of timing and duration |
- Both are work experiences related to your academic program. Internships are usually one term long. Internships are usually undertaken during summer. Depending on the course, 30-80% of students are required to do an internship.
- Co-ops, on the other hand, are usually multi-term. Work schedules vary depending on when you should be attending classes and when the employer needs you at work.
Are internships and co-ops full-time or part-time?
- Internships can be either full-time or part-time depending on employers' needs. The way every employer chooses to structure an intern program will be different. Some internship programs are very formal and structured while others offer a lot more flexibility to negotiate terms.
- On the other hand, co-ops are always full-time positions.
Are internships and co-ops paid or unpaid?
- Internships can either be paid or unpaid. This depends on employers' preferences, career fields, and job market supply and demand conditions.
- Co-op positions are always paid.
Am I guaranteed a co-op or internship position?
- Applying for a co-op or internship position is competitive, and no college or university can promise either an internship or co-op. Once the employers receive your resume, they evaluate it and compare you to other applicants. Students with higher GPAs and relevant extracurricular experience are most likely to receive job offers. Like any other job search, employers will evaluate your interpersonal, and communication skillsets.
When should I start looking for internships and co-ops?
- For summer internships, you should start looking in the fall and keep looking through spring until you get a position.
- For co-op positions, you should start looking at least one semester before you plan to start work.
Do I write call employers?
- If you are applying through job advertisements, do as the posting instructs. If you wish to contact the employer to ask if they offer internships, you can do one of the following:
- Write an email to a specific individual at the organization and follow up with a phone call
- Call to ask for job openings or the name of the person you should write to and follow up with a cover letter and resume.
List of Universities and Colleges Offering Internships & Co-ops
Given below is a tabular list of various higher education institutes across the world which offer internships and co-ops to international students.
| Internships | Co-Ops |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford, UK | University of Ottawa, Canada |
| King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia | University of Cincinnati, USA |
| United Nations University, Japan | Kettering University, USA |
| Harvard University, USA | Clemson University, USA |
| The University of Sydney, Australia | Lincoln University, UK |
| Institute of Science & Technology (IST), Austria | University of Kentucky, UK |
| Nanyang Technological University, Singapore | |
| University of Michigan, USA | University of Queensland, Australia |
| University of Houston, USA | Delft University of Technology, Netherlands |
Considering Cooperative Education
Cooperative education is good for those who wish to work for a particular organisation for a long time till the time their education is completed. Students will have to work full-time in the same organisation.
Considering Internship
You may want to consider an internship when you want a shorter work experience program within one position. Internships usually only last for the period of one semester, between 10 and 12 weeks, although some internship programs may last longer.
Differences between a Co-op and an Internship FAQs
Q. What is the difference between a co-op and an internship?
A. Both co-op and internships are work experiences which help you attain professional skills, gain hands-on knowledge in the desired field, elevates your resume, provides access to a variety of tasks and departments, and more. Given below are the details of co-op vs internship:
The major difference between co-op and internship is the time frame in which you pursue it. On a usual basis, the duration of internships is one-term long. Whereas, co-ops are usually multi-term. Also, internships may be paid/unpaid. However, co-ops are majorly paid. Another difference is that in internships, you usually work under a mentor. Whereas, co-ops are full-time positions on a usual basis.
Q. What are the benefits of joining a co-op?
A. A co-op (Cooperative education) is a form of work experience, which allows you to work full-time in an organisation. We have listed below some of the benefits of joining a co-op:
- Skill development
- Gaining practical work experience
- Networking
- Social skills
- Connect classroom knowledge to industry practice
- Experience
- Gain confidence
- Provides full-time or part-time employees
- Creates a resource of trained personnel
- Develop your professional behavior
- Discover new personal strengths and skills
- Communication
- Financial benefits
- Greater social support
- Higher achievement
- Elevate your professional resume
- Improved academics
- Reduces the cost of employee turnover
- Responsibility
Q. How many types of co-op are there?
A. Cooperative Education or Cooperative Learning are of three types: formal, informal, and base groups.
In formal cooperative learning groups, you get to work on the intellectual aspects and organize material, explain it, summarizing it, and integrate it into existing conceptual structures. Whereas in informal cooperative learning groups, your professor helps you identify the materials to be learnt, set a mood conducive to learning, help set expectations about material, talks about the lessons to be covered, and ensures that all the students are paying attention. With the help of cooperative base groups, you get to work in teams, give your partners the support, help, encouragement, and assistance each needs to progress academically.
Positive interdependence, individual accountability, promotive interaction, social skills, and group processing are the 5 basic elements of cooperative learning.
Q. Why do people choose co-op?
A. There are several reasons for people to choose co-op over internship. In a co-op, you get a full-time job and you get paid a good amount of money. A co-op also elevates you cv/resume a lot and you get to develop various skills. Additionally, it makes your network very strong.
Q. What type of internship is best?
A. The type of internship which is the best for you depends upon various factors, such as your study schedule, financial needs, personal preferences, and more. On a usual basis, a full-time internship is the best form of work experience in terms of internships. Your role is equivalent to that of a full-time employee and in most cases, you get paid as well. Since you get to work for the same number of hours per week as a traditional full-time job, there's a lot to learn. This helps you create a strong resume, build a professional network, gives you the access to a variety of tasks and departments, and many more professional opportunities. If you meet the employer's expectation, you may also be converted in a full-time employee.
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