Why is it important for students to pursue and register their co-ops and internships with the Career Center and what are the benefits?
Baking a career path with the Career Center
The Career Center has many resources designed to empower students as they search for a meaningful career.
Co-ops and Internships are two of the many resources made available to pair well with an academic curriculum, giving students experience in their industry of choice. Academic curricula are much like reading a book about baking a cake, while experiential learning perfects the recipe with practice.
What are the benefits of co-ops and internships?
- Trying out different career paths to match career goals
- Developing skills
- Tailoring classes, majors, and minors
- Building confidence
- Bettering insight on job outlook
- Networking opportunities
- Enhancing the ability to negotiate
The key ingredient to having a successful and empowering Co-op and Internship experience at GA Tech is registering with the Career Center
Why registration is important:
Co-ops
- Audit hours are recorded on the official transcript
- Earnings do not affect FAFSA status
- Maintain active student status during your work terms
- Cancelation of housing without penalty if working 25 miles or more from campus
- Support from the Career Center during your work terms
- Eligibility for co-op scholarships
- Eligibility for membership in the Briaerean Honors Society
- Co-op designation on the graduation diploma at the completion of the 3 work terms
Internships
- Internship audit hours are tuition-free
- Audit hours are recorded on your official transcript
- Earnings do not affect FAFSA status
- Maintain active student status during your work terms
- Cancelation of housing without penalty if working 25 miles or more from campus
- Career advisors provide support during your work terms
When your student registers their experience with the Career Center they obtain the following:
- Assistance with navigating the experience- Our team assists with ensuring students are prepared for the experience, supported in every way while working and encouraged to give feedback on their opportunity for future students.
- Making the most out of interning/co-oping- Students are enrolled in a course that encourages participation in a meaningful experience, encouraging reflection, setting of goals, and skill building conversations with their supervisors.
- Keeping track of their professional progress throughout their experience- Timeline, goal tracking, and supervisor notes help our students grow while they are working by strengthening their professional portfolio and supporting introspection.
- Creating a community - Whether it is events to celebrate accolades, networking with peers and alumni, social media, or joining the Briaerean Honor Society, students who register their experience can tap into over a 100 years of community.
- Having Support - We all know that although we all have the best intentions, sometimes things don’t work out and our students need our support and guidance. The Career Center is committed to supporting students through any workplace challenges. Students are encouraged to contact the Career Center if they have any concerns at their workplace.
Please see the following link on how to register an experiential learning experience: