Our Co-op Program is a partnership between the community and the University that is designed to provide students with practical field experience while giving employers access to qualified and highly motivated employees. Employers help shape tomorrow's work force while meeting their short and long range needs. 

Through Career Services & Professional Life Development,  you are able to recruit students for co-ops and internships. A co-op/internship is any carefully monitored short-term work or service experience for which a student has set meaningful learning goals/objectives and actively works to attain them. They are both paid and unpaid. They also have varying lengths of duration. Some co-ops are closely monitored and defined while others are based on the learning goals the student has developed. The important difference between an co-op and a part-time or summer job is that the student brings learning goals to the intern experience.

How to Begin a Co-op Program at Your Place of Business

First, develop a job description for the position, including a brief description of work activities, skill and education requirements, salary, and the approximate date and location of the position. Next, post the position with on our eRecruiting website.  If you have any questions, please call Mike at 207-780-4220.

Once you've posted your listing, we will actively promote your position to students  We will  pre-screen the students and have those that are qualified send their résumés to you.

After receiving the résumés, you may contact the students directly for an interview. The final employment decision is up to you. Should the first group of applicants not meet your expectations our office can continue to advertise the vacancy.

What Are the Benefits of Hosting A Co-op?

For employers, this is a cost effective recruiting method. Since Co-op student's must have at least 30 credits (Sophomores),  you will be recruiting high-quality candidates that:

• Have current technical skills and knowledge.
• Are highly motivated and productive.
• Give you the ability to redirect permanent employees while Co-op students work on special projects.

Co-op also gives you early identification of new talent, and training costs and time is greatly reduced if you convert a Co-op employee to a full-time employee. You will also have year-round visibility on campus.

For students, a Co-op position provides the opportunity to apply skills that they have developed through the classroom and other activities to real-world work experiences. It is also an opportunity for them to evaluate the industry and/or position as a career option and for the employer to evaluate them as a potential employee. 

How Much Do Co-op Employees Earn?

Salaries vary depending on the nature of the work and the financial resources available. While internships are both paid and unpaid, typical compensation ranges from minimum wage up to $20.00 per hour. The higher paid positions usually require technical skills and possibly previous experience. Students who accept an unpaid internship want to gain experience in a certain industry or to explore a specific career area but most need to help finance their education through the Co-op program.

How Long Do Co-op Employees Work?

You may hire a student to work on a full- or part-time basis to meet short-, long-term or permanent needs. The student needs to be employed for a minimum of 10 hours a week for 14 weeks.  Full-time internships for USM students are usually May-August, with part-time opportunities during the academic year.

Is There Much Paperwork Involved?

Very little. All we ask is that you submit a written job description, keep in contact with the course instructor and provide a written evaluation of the student's performance and professional growth.

Guidelines For Employers.

• A Co-op job should provide a learning experience in an area which complements the student's career goals.
• The salary should be commensurate with the responsibilities assigned.
• Co-op employees typically begin in entry-level positions.
• Employers should provide job training and supervision as well as orientation to the company's rules and expectations.

Legal Issues

There are several issues that are sometimes raised by student or employers as they relate to the working conditions of Cooperative Education students. Following is the position of the University of Southern Maine Cooperative Education program with regard to unemployment compensation, workers compensation, and employee benefits and insurance.

• Unemployment Compensation

Cooperative Education students are not entitled to unemployment compensation after completion of their Co-op experience because the work experience is part of a USM approved learning experience rather than a long-term employment contract. Additionally, in most cases the student will be continuing to take classes at USM, or will be returning to classes, so will be unavailable for work once the Co-op experience is over. 

• Workers Compensation

Participating employer organizations are told that they are responsible for Workers Compensation for all employees, including paid and/or unpaid internship students, and that they should check with their insurance provider to obtain more information.

• Employee Benefits and Insurance

Cooperative Education students are not eligible for employee benefit packages from participating employers.