Employer Co-op and Internship Information

Career Services
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Join UW-Stout's Co-op & Internship Program

The following table explains the Co-op & Internship Program Framework/Requirements for each course track.

 CO-OP COURSE
(SUBJ-X49)

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FIELD EXPERIENCE COURSE
(SUBJ-X98 OR SUBJ-X97)

Work experience is at least 8 weeks and students enroll in Fall, Spring, and/or Summer terms 

Students do major-related work within the guidelines of their Academic Program

Earn 1 credit per term - course enrollment must be concurrent with work experience

Students work in positions located on-campus, off-campus, in-state, out-of-state, and internationally

Paid (W-2 only)

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Unpaid & Paid (i.e. W-2, 10-99, Stipend)

32 hrs per week / 320+ hrs per term

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Weekly hrs vary / 80+ hrs per term

Full-time student status awarded

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Student status determined by enrolled credits

 

 

Program Benefits to our Employer Partners

Bottom line  
Hiring a co-op or internship student is an effective way to develop high quality future employees while keeping cost down

Innovation  
UW-Stout polytechnic approach allows students to bring innovative ideas, energy and a fresh perspective to the workplace

Year-around access 
Our Co-op and Internship Program allows for employers to fill positions all year students can enroll any term or combination of terms (Fall, Spring and Summer)

Return on Investment (ROI)  
Develop a pool of qualified candidates building a pipeline to potential professional employees with an improved employee retention

Partnerships  
Engagement in our Co-op and Internship Program allows organizations an opportunity to develop deep partnerships with UW-Stout. Your feedback is essential to our academic program success. Many of our Co-op and Internship hosts serve on Program Advisory Boards.  

Recruitment Timeline

For Employment to BeginStart Recruiting
Spring Semester (January-May) 
Summer Semester (May-August)
September
Fall Semester (September-December)January

Career Services is also flexible to meet employer and student needs. 

 

Employer FAQ

WHAT ARE THE BASIC EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYERS?
  • Supervision: Students are expected to gain practical experience in their field of study and should have a supervisor who has expertise in the same or similar field.
  • Hours: Hours typically vary from 10 – 40+ hours per week. Co-op students work 32 hours or more per week will maintain full-time student status at UW-Stout.
  • Location: Students are expected to work on-site (COVID-19 exceptions are acceptable).
  • Classification: It is up to the employer to determine the proper classification for the student.  
  • Technology/Equipment: Employers are required to provide any technology/software/equipment the student will need to perform their job.
WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SITE SUPERVISOR?
  • Provide a supervised work experience related to a program offered by UW-Stout.
  • Provide a position description that reviews the student’s job responsibilities. UW-Stout professors must approve the position for credit. While the description can be brief, some specifics are very helpful.
  • Communicate with your student regarding work schedules, supervision, safety regulations, appearance, personnel policies, and other procedures.
  • Supervise and evaluate work performance of student (UW-Stout will send an online performance evaluation twice per semester).
  • Communicate with professors and Career Services staff for purposes of evaluation and program improvement or in the case of dissatisfaction with student performance.
  • Provide a safe work environment and a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.
DOES MY POSITION QUALIFY AS A CO-OP OR INTERNSHIP?

Any position can qualify as a co-op if it meets the following criteria: co-ops must be paid, 32 or more hours per week over at least 8 weeks, totaling a minimum of 320 hours of work experience, and related to a UW-Stout major. Any position can qualify as an internship if it meets the following three criteria: paid or unpaid, minimum of 80 hours over at least 8 weeks, and related to a UW-Stout major.  If you have questions on whether your position will qualify, please contact Career Services.

DOES THE EMPLOYER PROVIDE HOUSING?

Housing arrangements are the responsibility of the student. Several employers provide assistance which may be an attractive benefit to applicants.

WHAT ABOUT SALARY AND BENEFITS?

Students working in paid positions should have fair salaries, competitive, and commensurate with wages paid to full-time employees for similar assignments with consideration for training and experience. Optional benefits are determined by the employer.  We collect student wage information by program annually, learn more about our annual report here. You may also want to reference the U.S. Department of Labor’s – Internship Program Under Fair Labor Standards Act

 

WI Employers - Co-op and Internship student wages are considered excluded for Unemployment Insurance purposes if the student is registered for academic credit through the University. Refer to Wisconsin State Unemployment Insurance Statute 108.02(15)j1 at https://my.unemployment.wisconsin.gov/, or call the Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance: Tax and Accounting Department at 608-261-6700.

HOW MUCH PAPERWORK IS INVOLVED WITH HOSTING A CO-OP/INTERN?

UW-Stout strives to keep paperwork minimal for our employers. Employers will need to provide a position description upfront. Throughout the work experience, site supervisors will be asked to complete two online performance evaluations per semester (mid-term and end of term).

Can start-up companies participate?

Yes:  A legitimate employer partner, including a start-up/entrepreneurial, is defined as an operating business that has progressed sufficiently in their business development process so that they can provide:

  1. Business Name & Address
  2. Company website or verifiable web presence
  3. Identify a key contact w/ e-mail address
  4. Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) and State EIN (when required by the State)
  5. Proper Licenses and Permits to operate (local and state level)
  6. Provide supervision of student by a professional with experience
CAN I HIRE AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT?

All degree-seeking international students with an F-1 Visa status are eligible for the Co-op and Internship program. The Office of International Education (OIE) at the University of Wisconsin-Stout has been granted authorization by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for students in F-1 status. International student employees hired by an employer will provide CPT, I-20 documentation stating their eligibility for the approved work period. CPT authorizations are location and date specific. These students are not required to obtain additional or separate work authorization. International Reform and Control Act requirements apply when hiring international students. For more information, please refer to General Resources I-9 Central available at https://www.irs. gov/individuals/students/students-page-foreign-students

 

Get Started – Post Co-op and Internship Positions

To post Co-op and Internship Positions, please utilize UW-Stout Career Services' industry-leading career services technology, Handshake, to connect with our students. 

  • Post professional, co-op, and internship positions at no cost
  • Request on-campus recruiting interview schedules
  • Register for campus career conferences hosted by our office
  • Connect with our students an alumni 
  • Sign in or create an account in Handshake

Sample Position Descriptions

If you have already hired a UW-Stout student, please complete our Position Description Form. This form is required for course enrollment.

If you have a position in mind that does not fit these qualifications, please e-mail Director, Bryan Barts, bartsb@uwstout.edu to determine how you can best partner with UW-Stout.