You earn a future when you earn a degree!

MIS / FINC Gulf Power Co. Pensacola, FL

I have found that I love working in the IT field because there is always something new and exciting to learn about. I also love the feeling that I get when I walk away from a person’s desk knowing that I not only fixed their problem, but I also made a difference in the efficiency of the plant and the processes necessary for it to create a profit. Rheem has been a great employer for me, and I treasure the opportunity that I have had in working in the Networking department. - MIS, 2 nd Work Term

MIS ADTRAN, Inc. Huntsville, AL

I worked in Neptune’s Training department where I assisted with much of the training material and helped students one-on- one in their classes. The most valuable thing that I will get through this work experience is the knowledge of an actual company. With the [Co-Op] experience, I think it will make my classes much easier to understand and will give me an advantage because I can relate it to my actual experience, rather than a hypothetical situation. - OPMN, 1 st Work Term

AERO US Army Space & Missile Defense Huntsville, AL

I continue to see the benefits of my Co-Op job. Through work experience and mentoring, I am gaining knowledge beyond what I would receive from school alone. I am most thankful that I am guaranteed a job offer when I graduate, an option not many other students enjoy. - AERO, 3rd Work Term U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command

A GOOD PLAN Answer the Reporter’s Questions: What? Who? When? Where? Why? How?

“The best preparation for work is not thinking about work, talking about work, or studying for work: it is work.” Former Massachusetts Governor William Weld

WHAT is Cooperative Education? Academic Program Academic Program involves alternating terms between school and work (work is related to the field of study) involves alternating terms between school and work (work is related to the field of study) Balances School & Work Balances School & Work Balances Theory & Practice Balances Theory & Practice 1 year of professional work experience (minimum) 1 year of professional work experience (minimum)

WHAT is Cooperative Education? A “different” way of going to college A “different” way of going to college preparation for future preparation for future sacrifice now for future benefit$ sacrifice now for future benefit$

Typical Work / School Co-Op Alternation Plans * Optional Term(s) - Extra Co-Op Work Term(s), Internship(s), Study-Abroad, Summer Job(s), etc. School TermPlan APlan BPlan CPlan DPlan E 1st Year - FallSchool 1st Year - SpringSchool 1st Year - SummerWork #1 * * * * 2nd Year - FallSchoolWork #1School 2nd Year - SpringWork #2SchoolWork #1School 2nd Year - SummerSchoolWork #2SchoolWork #1 * 3rd Year - FallWork #3SchoolWork #2SchoolWork #1 3rd Year - SpringSchoolWork #3SchoolWork #2School 3rd Year - Summer * *Work #3SchoolWork #2 4th Year - FallSchool Work #3School 4th Year - SpringSchool Work #3 4th Year - Summer * * * * * 5th Year - FallSchool 5th Year - SpringSchool

WHO can participate? Currently 450 students Currently 450 students 30+ different curricula (Art - Zoology) 30+ different curricula (Art - Zoology) 2.20/4.00 gpa (C+ average) 2.20/4.00 gpa (C+ average) Freshman - late Sophomore start Freshman - late Sophomore start must have enough time left in school to work one year (3 terms) must have enough time left in school to work one year (3 terms)

WHEN can students begin? 3 rd semester of Freshman year (summer at end of freshman year) 3 rd semester of Freshman year (summer at end of freshman year) 2 nd Auburn as a transfer student 2 nd Auburn as a transfer student Program is designed for students to begin at end of Freshman year (as late as end of Sophomore year) Program is designed for students to begin at end of Freshman year (as late as end of Sophomore year)

WHERE do AU co-ops work? 160 employers 160 employers small to Fortune 50 small to Fortune 50 examples: Alabama Power Co., NASA Harley-Davidson, Briggs & Stratton, IBM, Kimberly-Clark, Michelin examples: Alabama Power Co., NASA Harley-Davidson, Briggs & Stratton, IBM, Kimberly-Clark, Michelin Industry - Business - Government Industry - Business - Government 90 % work within 200 miles of AU 90 % work within 200 miles of AU (weekend driving distance)

WHERE do AU co-ops work? 25 % work w/in commuting distance 25 % work w/in commuting distance Auburn miles Opelika miles Tallassee miles Columbus, GA miles West Point, GA miles LaGrange, GA miles Montgomery miles Prattville miles

WHY should students co-op? $ for school $ for school $11.75 / hr. avg. for Sophomores $13.50 / hr. avg. for Juniors $13.75 / hr. avg. for Seniors

WHY should students co-op? “Test Drive” your career “Test Drive” your career Improve Technical Skills Improve Technical Skills Develop Teamwork, Interpersonal & Communication skills Develop Teamwork, Interpersonal & Communication skills Break from school - pace yourself Break from school - pace yourself Business vs. Business Education, Engineering vs. Engineering Education, etc. Business vs. Business Education, Engineering vs. Engineering Education, etc.

WHY should students co-op? Become a “First Round Draft graduation (max job opportunities) Become a “First Round Draft graduation (max job opportunities) 12.5 % higher starting salaries 12.5 % higher starting salaries Enhanced Education Enhanced Education Offer more to potential employers than your competition Offer more to potential employers than your competition

“The world cares very little about what a man or woman knows; it is what a man or woman is able to do that counts.” - Booker T. Washington

Please rank order three main benefits you expect to receive from participating in the AU Co-Op Program. Applicants 3 Financial - Résumé building 4 Improve technical skills - Improve non-technical skills (interpersonal, communication, etc.) 2 Career exploration 1 Maximize job opportunities at graduation time - Other (please specify) Co-Op Grads

Co-Op Students get the chance to apply “Problem Solving Skills”

HOW do I become involved in Co-Op? Get an early start Get an early start the longer we know you, the better we can help you the longer we know you, the better we can help you Co-Op Registration Process Co-Op Registration Process register with program & interview with employers register with program & interview with employers Freshman - 2 nd AU Freshman - 2 nd AU Transfer student - 1 st AU Transfer student - 1 st AU

HOW do I become involved in Co-Op?

Co-Op Interview Day Co-Op Interview Day 2 times per year (Fall & Spring) 2 times per year (Fall & Spring) 50 to 75 employers 50 to 75 employers 7 to 8 interviews in one day 7 to 8 interviews in one day

Additional Information about Co-Op Largest Co-Op Program in Alabama Largest Co-Op Program in Alabama 3.00 avg. gpa 3.00 avg. gpa Priority registration Priority registration Co-Op diploma Co-Op diploma Website: Website:

Additional Information about Co-Op Fulltime student status during work terms Fulltime student status during work terms Parent’s Health Insurance Parent’s Health Insurance Student loan payback Student loan payback Financial Aid & Co-Op Financial Aid & Co-Op