Employers Employer's Co-op Guide

Employers approved for participation in the Cooperative Education Program at the University of Pittsburgh have the following responsibilities:

General:

1. The co-op program is a three-way partnership involving the school, employer, and student. We ask that you apprise us as soon as possible of any issues regarding work schedules, job performance, layoffs, and permanent job offers upon graduation.

   Assuming that the student's work performance is satisfactory and economic conditions are viable, the employer is expected to provide the minimum three alternating work periods required for successful completion of the co-op experience.

2. Job assignments must be related to the students major field of study. Diversification is encouraged to afford the student a range of training and experience. The technical level should increase as the student demonstrates competency and progresses through the program.

3. Please do not encourage or allow the students to switch from the cooperative education program to summer, permanent, or part-time employment. There is a philosophy to cooperative education that the rotation between school and work benefits both the student and employer due to the progression in academics coupled with exposure to the work environment.

   Requesting that the student work part-time while on a full-time academic rotation, or accept permanent employment while still an undergraduate puts the student in academic jeopardy and is not in the spirit of the program. We realize there may be some exceptions to this guideline, and ask that you keep the co-op office apprised of any deviation to the original co-op schedule.

4. We ask that you do not approach u5/4/07non-minority, only female or only male students for co-op positions with your organizations. We are committed to placing our co-op students without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicaps or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam Era.

5. It is fundamental to the University of Pittsburgh Cooperative Engineering Education Program that the students alternate work periods with academic sessions. Deviation from the original work-school rotation cycle should be made only with agreement from the University of Pittsburgh. This includes students working double rotations or requests from employers to complete an assignment on a part-time basis.

6. Students on probation for one term may still participate in the program as long as they have permission from:

   • The Cooperative Education Office

   • Their Undergraduate Co-op Coordinator

   • The Company of Employment

   Failure to notify and receive permission from any of the above parties will result in immediate removal from the program.

   Any student on co-op probation is not eligible to work two consecutive terms. He/she must return to school after the first work rotation.

   Any student who receives less than a 2.0 for two terms will be suspended from the Cooperative Engineering Education Program. A student on probation who begins a work term may still be dismissed even if he/she is already at the work-site. The employer reserves the right to either terminate or continue employment of the dismissed student.

7. Employers are expected to allow the Co-op Coordinator and/or the Director to visit the work site and review the program.

8. Employers may receive requests for "at work" photographs of co-op students. The photographs are for various publicity activities.

Specific:

1. Employers are expected to submit requests for co-op students well in advance of the projected beginning work date. They must complete and return to the Co-op Office the "Employer Information Form" prior to the referral of students for employment consideration.

2. Written job offers with details and conditions of employment should be issued to the students with copies to the appropriate university and company officials.

3. If you have difficulties contacting candidates by telephone, please do not hesitate to contact us at (412) 624-9826 to assist you. Students often have hectic, irregular schedules; therefore, it may be easier for us to reach them.

4. Initial work assignments should include an orientation to company policies and procedures.

5. Employers are expected to assign students to qualified supervisors who share an interest and enthusiasm for developing new employees.

6. Each co-op student must be evaluated by the employer on the form provided by the Engineering Co-op Office. The completed evaluation form should be discussed with the student and returned to the Co-op Office within the specified time period.

7. Approximate start dates for co-op work assignments are May 1, September 1, and January 1.

Co-op positions are considered professional in nature and may therefore require overtime, weekends, or irregular hours. We do not allow students to work part-time for other employers while on a co-op rotation without the written consent of the co-op employer.