"I spent a semester abroad in a co-op at BMW in Steyr, Austria. I worked on a planning project to restructure the plant's overseas distribution methods - from getting the engines across the ocean to changing the way they are loaded into containers in Steyr. The best part was being in contact with employees at BMW plants around the world." - Kristen Beattie '05

A Clarkson education emphasizes real-world experiences; the co-op program builds on that concept.

In the Cooperative Education Program (co-op), students leave the classroom for a semester and go to work for a company – putting classroom studies to use in a productive work environment. Students build and refine their technical and business skills as young professionals. They also get to test drive a company, helping them determine which career paths are right for them.

The decision to go co-op is an experience important for most students and it pays off throughout your academic and professional career. In recent years, the trend in business and industry is to hire entry-level employees from the pool of students who have worked in a co-op with the company. Remember that for a company, a co-op experience is comparable to an 8-month interview. By the end of the co-op, company personnel will be familiar with your personality, work habits and strengths as a young professional. If you do a good job, you may leave with an invitation to work for the company as a full-time employee upon graduation. Regardless of the benefits, it’s a great experience!

It's really only common sense. The best place to get real-world professional experience is in the real world.