Benefits to Students
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Accrue less debt and command a higher starting salary at graduation
Co-op students from the Ingram School
of Engineering earn between $15 and $20 an hour during their co-op work periods, and most of these students help pay their college costs with these earnings. More than a year of relevant work experience brings many benefits to the student when seeking full-time employment:
higher salary, seniority, retirement, vacation and other fringe benefits. -
Find greater meaning in your studies through the alternating pattern of combining practical work experience with classroom theory
Well-chosen training situations provide the
student a real world laboratory in which he or she can test and apply knowledge gained in the classroom. Additionally, academic performance is enhanced by skills learned on the job. Thus, graduation rates increase significantly for co-op students. -
Increase motivation through close coordination of work assignments and study
The student's performance inevitably improv
es when he or she can identify goals in the classroom with work activities. The practical application of knowledge and abilities also helps the students learn more about their strengths, weaknesses and preferred job duties, which help to make
better career choices. -
Develop communication skills, responsibility, maturity and confidence
The demands of full-time employment such
as punctuality, team work, application of skills and sound judgment help to develop more responsibility and increased confidence in a student's ability to adjust when confronted with diverse situations.
of Engineering earn between 
student a real world laboratory in which he or she can test and apply knowledge gained in the classroom. Additionally, academic performance is enhanced by skills learned on the job. Thus, 
es when he or she can identify goals in the classroom with work activities. The practical application of knowledge and abilities also helps the students learn more about their strengths, weaknesses and preferred job duties, which help to make
as punctuality, team work, application of skills and sound judgment help to develop more responsibility and 