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Over the years, countless companies have learned the benefits of hiring a Rose-Hulman intern or co-op student. The students bring a willingness to learn as well as a strong classroom background to your company. They can solve real problems for you that an already overworked staff may not have time for and they also bring a fresh perspective that can shed new light on the way you do business.

What's the difference between an internship and co-op experience? An internship happens for our students during the summer when we don't offer classes. For a co-op experience, on the other hand, a student actually takes time away from classes to gain work experience. Rose-Hulman does not require either of our students, but we do strongly encourage them to gain these relevant work experiences. You may post openings for internships and co-op experiences in our  system or contact us for more information.

Hire a student full-time for a co-op experience

Rose-Hulman students are encouraged to gain real-world work experience to supplement their education in the classroom. One way is to take one or more terms off from school for a co-op experience. The major thrust of the co-op experience is educational as the student gets hands-on, discipline-specific experience. Students do not receive academic credit for their co-op work.

By its very nature, the co-op experience involves cooperation among three parties: your company, Rose-Hulman and the student you hire. We all want to make sure the student gains an opportunity to put into practice what's been learned in the classroom. At the same time, the student should make a real contribution to your company.

How do you qualify?

We have more than 50 companies participating in our co-op program. There are no extensive forms or paperwork required to join them. Following are the basic requirements we ask of employers:

• You carefully develop an employment opportunity that gives the student a learning opportunity that engages him or her in real work assignments.
• The student should have ample exposure to a senior representative who serves as a mentor, providing feedback.
• We ask that you provide fair compensation to the student. Because they are employed full-time, we expect them to be compensated at a rate that reflects their work.
• You should provide full disclosure of the terms of employment to the student before he or she accepts the offer. While you may not know the exact work assignments, you should be able to provide details on job location, compensation, initial expectations and area of work assignment.
• The student's direct supervisor must commit to providing a written evaluation to discuss with the student prior to the end of the co-op experience.

How do you find your student?

We will help pair you up with the students most qualified for your position. You may post openings for internships and co-op experiences in our system or contact us for more information. You may also meet with prospective students during one of three career fairs held throughout the year or you may hold on-campus interviews at most any time.

Learn more about on-campus recruiting

Have questions?
Contact Career Services & Employee Relations

Establishing a relationship with your intern or co-op employee

To make the most of your experience with a Rose-Hulman intern or co-op employee, we suggest you take these steps to establish a good working relationship:

• Early on, advise the student of all issues of confidentiality in the workplace.
• Make sure that all who need to know are aware of the student's arrival date and time.
• Have the student's workplace properly set up prior to arrival including a computer, telephone, email address, and other materials necessary to immediately begin contributing.
• Provide the student with orientation of your organization including physical layout, pertinent personnel and safety issues and practices.
• Discuss with and inform the student of realistic expectations of learning and contributing.
• Assist student with learning objectives for each work term. Situations with expressly stated expectations have greater chances of success.
• Help student to feel part of the team. This involves being aware of the age difference between the student and co-workers, the difference in level of experience and that a student's "purse" is generally much slimmer than a professional's. Encourage interaction but remember that students, for instance, cannot afford to go out for lunch every day.
• Create opportunities for interaction among all students on the premises.
• Make sure that the student's work assignments increase in scope of responsibility and level of contribution and that his/her salary increases accordingly. Please contact our office for the latest NACE salary information.