Southeast Community College - Nebraska

Various academic activities at SCC outside the classroom enhance a student’s overall learning experience.  One of the most popular, and most rewarding, is the Cooperative Experience.

Cooperative Experience, commonly known as a co-op, is a structured educational strategy integrating classroom studies with learning through productive work experiences in a field related to a student’s academic or career goals. It provides progressive experiences in integrating theory and practice and has an important role in transitioning the student from school to work. Co-op is a partnership among students, SCC and employers, with specific responsibilities for each party. Students in SCC’s Cooperative Experience program are paid during their employment.

• Provide the student with training, supervision and work experiences related to career or academic goals.
• Help the student achieve his/her learning objectives with work experiences that include an appropriate learning environment and productive work.
• Evaluate the student’s performance at designated time(s).
• Notify SCC of any changes made or needed in the Cooperative Experience training agreement.
• Compensate the student for the work performed.

• Adhere to the policies of the employer, just as any other employee.
• Competently perform assigned work and complete agreed-upon objectives.
• Complete all necessary records for Cooperative Experience files.

• Recognize Cooperative Experience as an educational strategy integrating classroom learning and progressive work experiences, with a constructive academic relationship between teaching faculty and co-op faculty or administrators.
• Develop a structure for multiple work experiences in a formalized sequence, with study leading to degree completion of a Program of Study.
• Formally recognize the co-op experience on student records (e.g. grade, credit hours, part of degree requirement, notation on transcript, etc.)
• Provide pre-employment preparation for students, as well as ongoing advising.
• Maintain contact with the employer and the Cooperative Experience student during the term to ensure a successful experience.

• Utilize well-prepared short-term employees while cutting recruiting and training costs.
• Provide real-world work experiences to students who are serious about learning and working and who have accumulated knowledge and classroom experience.
• Provide an opportunity to hire the student upon graduation
• Enhance the partnership with SCC.
• Provide input on the quality and relevance of SCC’s curriculum.

• Increase confidence and positive self-image through a worthwhile on-the-job experience.
• Increased opportunity for employment after graduation.
• Understand the relationship between classroom theory and workplace practice.
• Fulfill the “experience required” stipulation associated with many job openings.
• Gain new or advanced skills.
• Develop a professional network.
• Help clarify career goals.
• Enhance interpersonal skills.
• Income to assist with college expenses or to support personal financial responsibilities (co-op) or
• Earn college credit (internship).

• Help in the recruitment of new students.
• Help retain current students.
• Provide wider range of learning opportunities for students.
• Enrich the program’s curriculum.
• Enhance its reputation in the employment community.
• Improve the job placement rate of graduates.
• Enrich partnerships with business and industry.