Here is some advice, as well as information about assignments, to guide you during your co-op experience…here are a few great resources to reference before and during your co-op experience
How To Succeed During Your Co-Op
General Internship/Networking Tips for Co-Ops/Internships
Develop Objectives and Goals
Think about why your chose your co-op.
- What is the relation to International Affairs?
- What impact might it have on your future? (Read here about some impacts of internships on future careers/plans)
- How can you utilize the experiences you’ve had in academics at Northeastern in your job?
Think about how you can use your background in the social sciences to focus your job experience and contribute. (Read this article about the need for social science graduates!)
- What viewpoint can you bring to your organization that might contribute uniquely?
- What do you want to accomplish, what do you want your impact to be?
Set up a preliminary meeting with your supervisor
- Tell him/her about your goals and what you want to accomplish (Click here to read a short article on some examples)
- Ask him/her what you can do to reach those goals, and what impact you want to have on the company
Connect with your colleagues and network
- You will have the opportunity to be immersed in a professional environment, take advantage
- Ask other employees how to contribute, about their experiences, and about the company
- Networking is priceless for job leads after graduation and even for future co-ops (Networking Tips)
Set up a final meeting with supervisor to discuss your progress and impact
- Ask for an honest assessment of your work, and talk about your goals and what progress you’ve made
- Thank him/her for the opportunity, and make sure to connect with him/her on LinkedIn or other platforms! (Read this Forbes article about the importance of LinkedIn)
Assignments During Co-Op
Mid Co-Op Report: You will be instructed to complete a mid co-op report halfway through your co-op. You will write about your experiences, goals and how you have progressed, and generally evaluate yourself. You will post it onto blackboard on a viewable forum by other co-op students, and then read and comment on other student’s submissions
End of Co-Op Evaluation: You will be directed to an online form to evaluate your experiences at your co-op. You should then tell your supervisor to fill out his/her respective form, in which he/she will evaluate you as an employee.