What’s A Co-op?

Get A Real Job, Industry

You’ve probably heard of internships, but have you heard of co-ops? If you’re an engineering student at the University of Maine, or thinking about becoming one, then it’s a term you’ll probably want to become familiar with.

First Things First: What Is It?

A co-op (short for “cooperative education experience”) is a full-time, paid job that you take on for two total semesters as part of your college experience. It’s longer and more immersive than a traditional internship, and it’s built into your academic plan. That means you hit pause on your classes for one semester (often summer), work full-time at a pulp and paper mill or related industry facility, and then return to campus with fresh experience and a whole new perspective.

Co-op positions vary. While some students have worked on high-speed automation or safety systems, others have worked on process troubleshooting or sustainability projects. You can interview for co-op experiences that match your interests.

Here are more distinct differences between internships and co-ops:

Internships:

  • are often done by first year students (any major) for one summer
  • can be on campus, in a nearby business, and occasionally out of state
  • are typically “exploratory” positions meant to give you a general idea of what a specific field or industry might be like

Co-ops:

  • are a two-semester work experience at the same company and/or location
  • occur as part of your academic plan. Chemical engineering majors usually complete a rotation of summer/spring or fall/summer work experiences, while all other engineering majors co-op for two summers.
  • are paid work experiences
  • can be with any company, in any state (we have co-op jobs with 30+ companies in 50+ locations across the country!)
  • allow you to explore a specific job position and manufacturing facility in depth
  • allow you to work on value-added projects to improve the company’s product quality, operational efficiency, and/or environmental impact
  • prepare you to hit the ground running as a full-time engineer immediately following graduation

Why Are Co-ops Valuable?

We know that students come to UMaine to get a degree—but also to build a future. We require co-ops for most majors because they make your education more hands-on, more relevant, and more impactful. When you graduate, you won’t just be ready. You’ll be ahead.

  1. Experience Real Work: You’re not fetching coffee. You’re building, optimizing processes, solving technical problems, and applying classroom learning in a higher-stakes environment.
  2. Get Paid to Learn: Every co-op through UMPPF is paid. So while you’re gaining career experience, you’re also earning money. Some companies even offer stipends for housing, travel, and more.
  3. Boost Your Resume: Employers love candidates with real-world experience, and co-ops give you exactly that. They also help you figure out what you like—and what you don’t—before committing to a full-time position.
  4. Make Meaningful Connections: During you’re co-op, you’ll meet engineers, managers, and mentors who might be the key to a future job offer. Many UMPPF students are offered full-time positions by their co-op company after graduation.

If the thought of securing a co-op is overwhelming, take a deep breath! UMPPF supports students every step of the way by facilitating interviews, helping to match students to the right co-ops, and guiding each student through the process.