What is it?

Cooperative Education (Co-Op) provides students the opportunity to work at a sponsoring organization while remaining enrolled in their degree programs.

Co-Ops are similar to internships in that they are temporary positions within an organization. However, they differ from internships in the following way:

1) Co-Op is a formal program that requires an agreement between the sponsoring organization and George Mason University.

2) Co-Op positions are always paid and the salary must be a competitive wage.

3) Students can work at an organization part time or full time but they must meet certain hours, criteria, and deadlines. For detailed information on George Mason University’s cooperative education policies, click here.

Why Co-Op?

Earn a competitive wage while attending school. Learn about an organization and the type of work it does as well as what type of work you may be interested in for the future. Get an experiential advantage for when you pursue full-time employment after graduation.

How do I get a Co-Op?

Co-Op positions can be found through several means. Students of the School of Public Policy should read the weekly online SPP Career Services Newsletter as well as register for Patriot Job Web (registration forms can be picked up from SPP Career Services or downloaded from policy.gmu.edu/career – Patriot Job Web link). Sometimes, Co-Op positions are listed on online databases such as the Washington Post.com and USA Jobs.gov. Frequently, Co-Op positions are given to students who have already been interns in the same organization. Human resource managers are the people to discuss the option of turning an internship into a Co-Op position when appropriate.

How do I begin the process of signing up for a Co-Op?

The Co-Op program at George Mason University is managed by the University Career Services office on the Fairfax campus. However, to determine your eligibility and to receive the initial paperwork, students must contact SPP Career Services at
(703) 993-3762.

Once you have been determined eligible and have received your paperwork, contact Debbie Zuiker, the Co-Op assistant at
(703) 993-2365 or coop@gmu.edu. She will give you the next set of necessary forms to be filled out by you and your employer. Once those are completed, set up an appointment with SPP Career Services. For your appointment, you will need all of your completed Co-Op paperwork. You will also need the $25.00 registration fee.

What then?

SPP Career Services will be your liaison from George Mason University. At the end of each Co-Op semester, she will conduct a site or phone visit with your immediate supervisor to ensure that your Co-Op is successful. Any problems that you may encounter at your Co-Op site should be addressed immediately with SPP Career Services at (703) 993-3762.