Internship vs. Co-op

Internship vs. Co-op

I often have students who ask " What is the difference between an internship and a co-op?"
To help answer that question, here is my answer...

By definition Internship means one work period (usually a semester timeframe) at one company. An individual might do an internship at one company in the summer and then the next summer do another internship at a different company.

By definition Co-op means multiple work periods (usually a semester timeframe) at the same company. Typically the individual will work a semester, go back to school and study a semester, then work another semester all at the same company.

If you obtain a position at a company they might call you an intern or a co-op. Many companies use the two terms interchangeable.

Please Note: If you want academic credit from UB for your work experience AND you are an undergraduate engineering or computer science major, you will have to register for co-op credit, because that is the name that we use at UB. So whether you return to that same company or not for a second or third work period, it won't matter, it will still be called co-op credit on the UB campus. If you are a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, It is possible for you to obtain an internship/co-op position at a company and not register for academic credit, that is your choice. (Although some companies require that you receive academic credit for your internship/co-op experience at their company. In that case you will need to follow those company rules or you will not get to keep that internship/co-op.) (If you are an international student on F-1 status, you must register for credit in order to participate in an internship or co-op work experience.)

Another question I get is: "I am a sophomore engineering student- would I be eligible for co-ops?"
As a sophomore engineering student, yes you are eligible to obtain an internship/co-op position at a company and request to receive academic credit for it. If you request to receive credit, you will be assigned a faculty member who will review the tasks required for the internship/co-op position and decide if it is credit worthy. The faculty will determine if you will obtain a positive, educational experience from the internship/co-op then it will be approved and you will receive credit. Also, in order to receive credit you will need to write a paper and give a presentation to your faculty member and other co-op students at the end of your experience.

Best,
Holly M. Justice - Engineering Career Counselor

PS:
Check out the UB Engineering Career Institute (ECI)
http://www.eng.buffalo.edu/stuemp/