An email question from a sophomore in CS
Reply from Dan Jenkins, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Programs
A student writes (December 1998): > While planning for this summer, > I have been trying to decide between a > co-op and an internship. Originally > I planned to wait until next semester > and make my decision based on the offers > (or lack of offers) I received. If I had to generalize, I would say that co-op is usually more beneficial in the long run than doing straight summer internships. Here's why: The co-op program is coordinated and structured around the needs of our students. We expect certain things from companies hosting our co-ops (technically interesting jobs, supervisory feedback, written evaluations, etc.). We expect our co-ops to be treated as much like co-workers as possible. Summer interns often get stuck with busy work that no one else wants to do. A co-op placement typically involves two work periods, one of which is a non-summer work period. Although summer can be an exciting and active time at some companies, it is also a time when many key people are on vacation. A fall or spring placement, on the other hand, is more likely to put you in the thick of things. Many companies prefer summer internships because there is less overhead and they can put on a good show for groups of students during the summer. We are less interested in our students being "sold on" a particular company, and more interested in them having the opportunity to see what it is really like to work in the field. Another big plus about co-op is that you are part of a special group of students participating in a truly exceptional program. There is a feeling of camaraderie that is hard to describe. Co-op "classes" have a tendency to relate well to one another and keep in touch even after they return to Cornell. This kind of networking can be a real plus, both at school and in the outside world. Even so, summer internships work out better for some students because they can offer more flexibility and a more direct relationship with a company (with Cornell being eliminated as the middle man). Also, if you participate in co-op and go to school in the summer, it is not always easy to squeeze an entire semester into one summer. The classes are smaller and meet every day. And, in general, there is less time to kick back and relax than there would be if you were just working during the summer. > I recently received an offer and must make my > decision before Jan 15th, which is before > the co-op program really gets going. Is it possible to say "yes" contingent upon you not receiving a better offer from co-op? I'm not sure how this would work. I'd recommend that you talk to the folks in the co-op office about it. Good luck with your decision! Dan ========================================= DAN JENKINS (607) 255 0982 or 255 9220 Assistant Director of Undergraduate Programs Dept. of Computer Science, 303 Upson Hall CORNELL UNIVERSITY, Ithaca, NY 14853 fax: 607 255 4428 =========================================
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