Show Cooperative education has abundant opportunities Terry Dillon Staff Writer ITLE VIII funding for TITLE T cooperative education at runs out at the end of the year which may affect the quality of services available available available avail avail- able says Doug Thom Thorn a counselor for the program But it is not too late for students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents to take advantage of the abundant opportunities right now Students seeking the on-the- job experience in their field of study should make an appointment appointment appointment ap ap- ap- ap or drop by the Jo Job Placement Center to find out more College credit for working plus pay makes cooperative education a safe bet no matter what your career path looks like The experience can help you get past the catch 22 of job seek seek- ing in which employers want proven know It is also a good idea to find out for certain certain certain tain if you are going to like your profession before you focus years of study on a single discipline There are even jobs available available available avail avail- able at Disney World in Orlando Orlando Orlando Or Or- lando Florida for students who are willing to work full time for credit plus board and room One student landed a construction trades job in Japan where he learned he would rather be in business The experience wasn't wasted however because now he is going to combine the two areas to become a contractor To fully benefit from coop coop coop co co- co- co op at least the basic level courses in the desired field must have been passed satis satis- The student should also be prepared to go out and look for positions not listed by the Cooperative Education office Essentially any job opening can be co If a student uses imagination he or she should be able to hustle up the perfect job experience Em Employers like the idea of hiring someone who they know will also be graded by their work performance which could give you the edge over competing job seekers op Co-op has been building a network with the business community by filling job openings with qualified and enthusiastic participants A reputation for success pays paysoff paysoff paysoff off for both the college college- through job placements and increased student knowledge which translates back to the classroom and for the Salt Lake community as a whole because an educated work workforce workforce workforce force is desperately needed As many as 70 of Cooperative Education students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents get offered permanent positions from their op co-op employers The temptation to drop out before completion completion completion comple comple- tion of the degree is discouraged discouraged discouraged dis dis- dis- dis however as future advancement and pay increases increases increases in in- creases would be undermined by such a decision Also working full time while trying to finish at night school unnecessarily prolongs completion of the degree There are two ways of doing co One way is to work part time in the area of interest while attending classes classes classes clas clas- ses for a half day or full time employment may be alternated alternated alternated alter alter- with full time class work every other quarter Again the actual hours on the job are credited toward completion of the major whether employment is full fullor fullor fullor or part time Cooperative Education is isone isone isone one of the reasons that is such an innovative school Because the availability of this program is uncertain in inthe inthe inthe the upcoming years students should take the initiative now before it becomes to- to late |