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What Is Cooperative Education?
Cooperative Education (Co-Op) internships create educational
partnerships among Montana State University-Billings, the
business community, and students.
This unique academic
program allows students to earn academic credit while
combining classroom learning with practical work
experience.
What
Do Co-Op Interns Do?
Local, state and national employers are matched with
MSU-Billings students who bring fresh perspectives and
enthusiasm to the workplace. Interns can be assigned to a
variety of special projects and duties that blend academic
requirements with company goals.
Employers develop a job description which outlines duties
and responsibilities to determine the role an intern will
play within an organization.
Cooperative Education is first and foremost an educational
program. Work environments that provide a relevant learning
experience are win/win for both employers and students. [No
more than 20% of the intern's responsibilities may be
administrative/clerical in nature.]
Why Should I
Participate in Co-Op Internships?
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Employers give back
to the community while creating a local workforce.
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Interns provide a
fresh source of ideas, talent, energy, and enthusiasm.
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Hosting an intern
saves on the costs of recruitment and improves personnel
selection by using actual on-the-job performance as a
basis for permanent hiring decisions.
Paying Co-Op Interns
Under
the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1997,
“Commercial businesses may not ever legally utilize unpaid
volunteers.” Employers benefit by attracting the best
applicants and maintaining a sense of accountability. The
more one looks like an employee, the more one will think and
act like one. The amount of compensation is established by
the employer in accordance with Montana Wage & Hour
guidelines. Certain charitable non-profit organizations may
be exempt from the FLSA. Please contact the Cooperative
Education office for details.
How Many
Hours Do Co-Op Ed Interns Usually Work?
Our students are committed to both their academic
responsibilities and the work they do at their internship
site; balance and flexibility is the key to success in both.
Students are required to work a minimum of 45 hours to
receive one academic credit. On average, students complete a
3-credit internship during a semester; this averages to
working approximately 10-12 hours per week during a 13-week
semester.
EMPLOYERS
NOTE: By choosing to recruit with MSU Billings, your
organization agrees that no student or graduate will be denied
work or subjected to different treatment on the grounds of
race, color, national origin, age or sex.
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