Career Services - FAQ's

What is a co-op/internship?

Students attending Mercyhurst College have the opportunity to participate in Cooperative Education/Internship experiences. Co-op is the combination of classroom and on-the-job work organized in an educationally sound manner and coordinated so that experiences in business, industry, government and various public agencies become an integral part of a student's college education. Students who participate in the Co-op/Internship Program usually come away from their experiences more professionally and personally developed.

Students can complete from three to four co-op experiences during their four years at Mercyhurst. By meeting all the departmental requirements for a co-op, students can earn up to 12 hours of academic credit toward graduation.

What are some kinds of co-ops?

There are two kinds of co-ops. One is limited to the junior and senior years. A student is in school for a period of either three or six months and then participates in an on-the-job assignment for the same period of time. Although students are employed full time, they are considered students by both employers and the college. Employment may be available locally or in a student's home area.

The second option is open to students who have completed a minimum of 57 credit hours. A student in this plan remains in school and is employed on a part-time basis at a co-op/internship site. On rare occasions this experience is available to third-term sophomores.

Do I get academic credit for my co-op?

Grading options for Cooperative Education experiences are "Pass With Distinction" awarded to students for A-level work; "Pass" for those students doing satisfactory work; "Low Pass" for students doing less than satisfactory work; and "Fail."

How do co-op/internships work?

The student, on-site supervisor and the co-op coordinator establish measurable learning objectives which co-op students must meet or exceed during their on-the-job experience in order to receive academic credit. Once students are placed in a cooperative assignment, the coordinator makes periodic visits to the companies where students are employed to discuss their progress. The coordinator uses on-site visitations and an Employer Evaluation Form to determine if students are successfully combining the theory of the classroom with practical experience.

What are the benefits?

Students get to blend their acquired classroom theory with unique practical experiences. They gather an understanding of the professional work world. They solidify invaluable networking contacts. They gain specific experience to be incorporated into a resume and an interview. Finally, students may be able to request from their immediate supervisor a letter of recommendation which will strongly support their application for future full-time employment.

I am looking for a career, how can Career Services help me?

The Career Services Office has a career resources library which is continuously updated to provide the latest information on present and future career trends. A newly acquired, computer-based guidance system lets students explore a multitude of career options and receive immediate input from trained career counselors.

How can I improve my interviewing techniques?

The Career Services staff meets with students and alumni to hone their interviewing skills. Staff members are trained to detect both positive and negative abilities and to discuss them confidentially with the prospective applicant. A student may schedule a mock interview to simulate the setting in a role-playing environment.

Does Career Services have job search strategies?

Whether you are an alum, a graduating senior or a current student looking for part-time work, the Career Services staff will help with your employment search. Through one-on-one sessions with career counselors, students quickly map out strategies which help them make productive job-choice planning.

When are Career Services Workshops?

The Career Services staff offers numerous career-related workshops throughout the academic year. Resume construction, cover-letter writing, job-search strategies and interviewing techniques are a few of the seminars conducted by the professional staff.

What resources does Career Services have that I can use?

The Office of Career Services provides numerous services to students and alumni and has an extensive resource library which is constantly maintained and updated. If a publication is available, the office staff will see to it that the publication or resource is researched and purchased.

How can alumni help students?

Mercyhurst College alumni can become involved with the students of today. Any amount of time an alum can give to the mission of the college and the direction of the Career Services Office will be enthusiastically welcomed. The following is a list of some of the possibilities of alumni giving:

• on-campus recruiting
• full- or part-time employment
• co-op/internship
• presentations/workshops
• Career Fair