What is Co-op?

  • Cooperative education (Co-op) is a three-part working relationship in which a college or a university joins with an employer in a structured, academic relationship that benefits the student, the employer and the institution of higher learning.

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What are the advantages?

  • Access to talented and motivated UHM students
  • The satisfaction of mentoring future professionals through on-the job training.
  • Reduce future recruitment and training costs by developing a pool of applicants that are available to convert to full-time employment.
  • Hiring a Co-op is a win-win situation. The student acquires experience in his or her field of interest and the employer will in turn receive quality work.

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What kind of jobs do Co-op students do?

  • Co-op participants have acquired communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills that are marketable for wide array of Co-op positions.
  • Co-op participants have worked as auditors, engineers, journalists, software testers, buyers, managers, environmental assistants, teachers, and market researchers to name only a portion of our partnerships.

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Are co-ops paid or unpaid?

  • Co-op positions are paid positions.  Co-op students are capable of handling relatively high-level tasks.

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How do students benefit?

  • Gain hands-on experience and apply classroom learning in a professional environment
  • Clarify career objectives by exploring the field from the inside
  • Develop professional work habits and personal confidence
  • Helps students transition from academic to employment life

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Still have questions?

Email coop2600@hawaii.edu or call 956-7007 for Co-op assistance. Go to sece and create an employer profile.