Delta College Cooperative Education

(Co-op) Program

New ApplicantOrientation Packet

ORIENTATION SESSION

The Co-op Orientation, like an interview with a potential employer, begins promptly at the specified time.

• Late arrivals will not be allowed entrance

• You will be required to reschedule

The “Cooperative Agreement”

Exists Among:

Delta

Colleg

e Student

SupervisorEmployer

Delta College Co-op Office Staff

Coordinator:

Jeanne Mallak, Co-op Coordinator and Associate Professor

• West Courtyard Level, A007• (989) 686-9022• jamallak@delta.edu

• Department Staff:

Michelle White, Department Manager

• West Courtyard Level, A008• (989) 686-9382• michellewhite@delta.edu

Connie Colvin, Office Coordinator• West Courtyard Level, A008• (989) 686-9474• cjcolvin@delta.edu

What is Cooperative Education?

• Co-op is an academic program providing students the opportunity to gain valuable, real-life work experience while earning college credit

• All co-op positions are paid and part-time (working with your class schedule)

• WE ARE NOT JOB PLACEMENT. The Co-op Program is only for students seeking to gain work experience in their chosen fields of study while earning college credit through a classroom experience coupled with on-the-job applications.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Co-op Timetable

• After your orientation session, you will more than likely have to update your resume and/or application forms.

– Credentials are sent to employers every Thursday; therefore, any updates are due by Wednesday at 4:30 pm for credentials to be sent out that same week.

– Updates are due within a week of your orientation session. If you do not submit your updates, it will be assumed that you are not interested in the program, and your file will be made obsolete (purged).

Communication is Key!

• Keep the Co-op Office informed of any changes to your application (i.e., telephone number, program of study, work experience, etc.) and update your credentials immediately when necessary.

• Communicate to the Co-op Office IMMEDIATELY if you are no longer interested in the program or if you have been hired in a co-op position

• Failure to (1) return a call, (2) reply to an e-mail message, or (3) show up for a scheduled interview will result in your file being made obsolete and participation privileges revoked.

Who Will Contact Me?

• Dow Chemical, Dow Corning, VA Medical Center, and some area businesses will contact you directly

• Delphi Saginaw, TRW Automotive, and some area businesses contact the Co-op Office with a list of candidates they want to interview. In these cases, the Co-op Office will call you.

• You are encouraged to check in with the Co-op Office staff periodically as to where your credentials have been referred

• Co-op placement is not a guarantee. Your chances of placement are based on employer need and your skill set.

How Will You Contact Me?

• Before you are hired, the employers and the Co-op Office will contact you by telephone and/or through your e-mail account.

• Make sure your telephone numbers (especially cell phones) are always up-to-date with our office

• It is imperative you check your e-mail account on a regular basis

• After you are hired, the Co-op Office’s primary source of communication with you is through your e-mail account

• Your Delta account will create a professional and favorable image with a potential employer. If you choose to use a personal email account, make sure the address projects a professional image(e.g. Joe.Smith@yahoo.com)

THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

Scheduling Interviews

If you schedule an interview, you are expected to show up for that interview:

• Be on time, or better yet, early—no more than 10 minutes early

• If you must cancel, do so as soon as possible with the person that contacted you initially

• If you are a no-show for an interview, you will no longer be eligible to participate in the program without approval from a co-op coordinator

First Impressions Make a Lasting Impression

DO

• Show up for interviews on time

• Dress professionally and be well groomed

• Remember you are representing Delta College as well as yourself

DO NOT

• Wear clothing that is dirty, torn, advertises alcohol or tobacco, or is suggestive

• Wear army fatigues, jeans, t-shirts, or hats

• Use inappropriate language, even when trying to emphasize a point

Honesty IS the Best Policy

The resume doesn't get you the job; it only gets you noticed. Therefore, it's important to be honest in all of your communications with potential employers.

• Don’t make false statements or exaggerated claims trying to “make up” for lack of experience or weaknesses. When it is discovered that your resume is falsified, you will lose all credibility and possibly your job.

• Give your previous job titles a name that truly reflects what you did on the job. If you had an “in-house” title, don’t use it unless everyone reading your resume will know what it is. It’s ok to make up your own job title as long as it’s an accurate representation of your responsibilities.

• Don’t exaggerate dates of employment trying to cover up periods of unemployment

Don’t Waste Everyone’s Time

• If you know for certain that you are not interested in a position, do not interview for it; you may be keeping another student who is interested from getting an interview.

• If you aren’t sure about the position, feel free to go on an interview, but let the interviewer know immediately if you end up not being interested.

They Said They’d Call…Why Haven’t I Heard

Anything?• If the employer has established a time line

for which an offer will be extended, wait until that time has passed and then call the employer

• If no time frame has been indicated, two weeks is the appropriate amount of time to wait before contacting your interviewer

I Have an Offer . . . How Do I Decide Whether to Accept?

• Companies expend a tremendous amount of time and money in the hiring process; therefore, it is important to carefully consider an offer before accepting it

• As you contemplate the offer, don’t stop with salary alone. The value of the career experience to be gained, networking possibilities, location, driving distance, and potential for advancement after earning your degree are all important variables to consider before accepting an offer.

• If you decide to decline an offer, inform the employer as soon as possible

• Once you have accepted an offer, the Co-op Program requires you to commit to a minimum of one year in that position.

I Have Accepted an Offer . . . What if Something Better Comes Along?

• Once you have accepted an offer, you:

• made a verbal contract with the employer

• are obligated to stop searching for other positions and reject all future interview requests and job offers

• are required to inform the Cooperative Education Department of the job you have accepted

• Careful consideration of all possible variables should be taken before accepting a position so as not to cause damage to your professional integrity and reputation, as well as the reputation of Delta College and the Co-op Program.

Your decision is final. Make sure you will be able to stand by it!

CONGRATULATIONS!!

YOU’RE A CO-OP STUDENT!

Co-op (CED) Class RequirementsSemester of Co-op

Experience CED Course

Credits Comments

1st 3, 2 or 1 Credits for your first CED course may be pro-rated; the credit hours are dependent upon when you are hired during the semester

2nd

3

3rd

2

4th

2

5th 1 For Delphi Saginaw and TRW Automotive students only

6th 1 For Delphi Saginaw and TRW Automotive students only

• Enrollment and completion of CED (co-op) classes is mandatory

• Co-op classes can be counted toward elective credits at Delta and future educational institutions

• Students are responsible for payment of all tuition and fees for co-op classes

• Failure to enroll in the required classes will result in your termination

• Do not enroll for a co-op class until you are placed in a co-op position; the Co-op Office will send you a letter advising you on your CED course enrollment

Dress for Success

DO NOT:

• bare midriffs

• tight apparel

• suggestive clothing

• alcohol, drug, or tobacco advertising/logos

• army fatigues

• low-riding pants

• excessively worn or faded clothing

• “loud” perfume/cologne

DO:

• Communicate professionalism through your clothing and personal appearance

• use common sense and simple good taste

• neat and clean appearance

• keep clothes clean and pressed

• adhere to the company’s dress code at all times

• when in doubt, ask first or simply do NOT wear it

• 95% of employers interviewed said a job seeker’s personal appearance affected the employer’s opinion of that applicant’s suitability for a job

• 61% said dress and grooming had an effect on subsequent promotions as well

Work Schedules

You and your co-op supervisor will try to workout a schedule that accommodates your school schedule

• Never TELL your supervisor when you plan to work

• While seeking co-op employment, plan a class schedule that allows a four-five hour daily work commitment (e.g. classes from 8am-12pm and work from 1-5pm)

• Once you are established in the position, you can meet with your supervisor to discuss a work schedule that is more acceptable to your supervisor, the department and you

• Avoid scheduling personal appointments during your set work hours

Basic Workplace Behavior

• Personal cell phones and pagers are to be left at home or in your car. Do not take these into the workplace.

• Workplace computers are for company work only. No playing computer games, personal web surfing, or personal e-mails.

Other Employment

• If your co-op employment is at Delphi Saginaw, TRW Automotive or the VA Medical Center, you are not permitted to work on campus simultaneously

• Other employment is permitted; however, it is not recommended.

• Your education and co-op employment take priority over any other employment.

Academic Problems

• Everybody has a tough semester now and then. If you find yourself doing poorly in a class, schedule a meeting with your co-op coordinator immediately.

• Do not wait—we cannot help you after you have dropped or failed a class

• Contact your co-op coordinator before dropping any class

• Your coordinator may be able to suggest some solutions so you won’t damage your GPA or jeopardize your co-op position

This is a real job!

• Every minute you are at work is very important to you and your employer

• develops skills and defines career goals

• You are representing yourself, Delta College, and the company

• Your appearance, work habits, and attitude are always on display; portray yourself as a desirable employee—future recommendations could depend on it

• What you do at work is not a “made-up” job designed to keep you busy; your employer needs you

• Deadlines are important; your job will depend on meeting them

Facts about HarassmentSexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

From The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission                          Last modified on January 15, 1997

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.

Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to the following:

• The victim as well as the harasser may be a woman or a man• The harasser can be the victim's supervisor, an agent of the employer, a supervisor in another

area, a co-worker, or a non-employee• The victim does not have to be the person harassed, but could be anyone affected by the

offensive conduct• Unlawful sexual harassment may occur without economic injury to or discharge of the victim• The harasser's conduct must be unwelcome

If you are being harassed on the job, or have a personnel related situation, talk about the situation with someone of authority (your supervisor, company representative, or your co-op coordinator) so they can take action on your behalf.  Do NOT “gossip” or “chat” about the situation with co-workers because this action can violate privacy laws.

For more information on (sexual) harassment, a 45-minute video is available for your review. Please contact Michelle White in the Co-op Office to reserve a time to view.  You may also visit Delta College’s Equity Office website at http://www.delta.edu/equityoffice.

The Equity Office, located in J-101, is also available to assist you with concerns and/or problems. Contact them at (989) 686-9122.

Discharged from the Job

• Employers may discharge co-op students just as they would any employee

• dress/appearance,

• attendance/punctuality,

• poor attitude/work ethics,

• budget cuts,

• and the like

• If you fail to complete your co-op position, your coordinator will review the circumstances and make a decision on future co-op referrals and placements

• Inform your co-op coordinator immediately if you are terminated from a co-op position

Deserting the Job

• If you leave a co-op position without your coordinator’s approval, you will not be eligible for future co-op referrals or placements

• You will not receive a satisfactory final grade for your CED course

• You may not receive a favorable recommendation for future employment from your co-op employer

WHAT…

FINISHED ALREADY?

Transferring to Another College

When you leave Delta College, your co-op position through the Co-op Program will end.

• The exception:

•Dow Chemical and Dow Corning students may continue their co-op experiences if they are transferring to a local university (e.g., CMU, Davenport, Northwood, SVSU)

•Coordinate your transfer through your employer

•Notify the Co-op Office of your last day as a Delta College co-op and provide your reason for leaving

Exiting the Co-op Program

• Inform the Delta College Co-op Office of your transfer plans or resignation from your position

• Provide end date and reason for leaving

• It is our goal to make sure every co-op experience is beneficial to our students. Therefore, we ask that you complete a “Student Evaluation of Co-op Experience” form upon exiting your co-op position. This form will be mailed to you.

We hope this information was beneficial in providing more information about our program.

Print out the quiz on the last page of this packet, answer the questions, and bring it with you to your orientation session.

Be sure to have your questions ready for the co-op coordinator

See you there!

Co-op Quiz

All answers to the following questions can be found in the orientation packet:

1) True/False - The Delta College Co-op Program is available to all students looking for a job.

2) After attending your orientation session, how long do you have to return any updates before your file is made obsolete?

3) What is the Co-op Office’s primary source of communication with students?

4) What is the minimum time commitment for a co-op assignment?

5) True/False - If I accept a position and another position (the one I really want) is later offered, I am able to quit the first position.

6) True/False - Co-op classes are optional.

7) True/False - Because I am only a co-op student, I may use my cell phone at work, as well as use the company’s computer for personal e-mails.

8) True/False - Additional employment is recommended to supplement my co-op income.

9) True/False - A co-op job is a real job.

10) If you feel you have a harassment issue at work, who is the first person you should contact?

11) True/False - Because you are a co-op student, you cannot be fired from a co-op position.

Name:

Date:Note: Turn in the completed quiz on the day of your co-op orientation