Co-ops & Internships

Valuable, practical experience for engineering minds of the future.

Practical, relevant, on-the-job training in an actual company or organization allows future engineers to apply their classroom knowledge, grow as professionals and become more marketable in the global engineering workforce.

Through a working partnership with local, state, national and international organizations, including industries, manufacturing companies, design/consulting firms, research laboratories, governmental agencies and professional groups, the University of Georgia College of Engineering offers the Cooperative Experiential Learning (Co-op) and Internship Program to eligible students.

The Difference Between Engineering Co-ops and Internships

► A co-op position provides students the opportunity to work full-time (40 hrs a week) for an engineering company during a semester while they are still enrolled at UGA in an unbillable credit hour course. Students are able to connect the engineering theory they are learning in the classroom to a paid, supervised employment opportunity with a company. An internship provides students the opportunity to work in a temporary hands-on position (up to 20 hrs a week during a Fall/Spring semester) to further determine interest in a field and provide skill development. Students do not enroll in a course during their internship.

► A co-op provides an agreement between UGA, the company, and you.  While you are participating in a co-op, the Director of Experiential Programs will check-in with you and ask for 2 evaluations of your work from your supervisor during each semester. An internship does not require you to be in contact with the college or university about your progress.

► Ideally, a co-op involves students working at the partner firm or company for three or more semesters during their undergraduate program at UGA, although an exception of only two semesters will be considered when the situation warrants. There are no multiple semester requirements for an internship, although we have had students invited by their employer to intern multiple semesters.

► The UGA Co-op Program is designed to be more representative of a full-time job in the industry. Through working at the firm full-time during the semester, students are fully immersed in their work and operations. Students are able to increase their work load and take on additional responsibilities over their semesters participating in a co-op. Internships, while similar to co-ops, are also comparable to part-time jobs. Interns typically do not receive as much training as co-op students do since they will not be putting in as much time with the company.

► Both co-ops and internships offer optimum experiences and opportunities for students looking for additional preparation in the engineering workforce. Co-op students and interns graduate with more than a degree. They have practical knowledge and a competitive advantage in today's job market. With practical, relevant work experience gained during their college years, students are more likely to find a job in their chosen field as soon as they graduate.

For more information on The University of Georgia College of Engineering’s Cooperative Experiential Learning and Internship Programs, contact:

Director of Experiential Learning and Outreach
Lauren Anglin
1156A Driftmier Engineering Center
lauren.anglin@uga.edu
706-542-1204