Your first co-op starts before the job.
Everything a Northeastern student needs to know to walk into their first co-op confident, prepared, and ready to make an impact.
Most graduate students complete one co-op experience. Co-op requirements in Canada may differ.
Co-op is Northeastern’s signature experiential learning program. Alternating full-time work with academic study to give you real-world skills that classroom learning alone can’t provide.
Undergraduate students have the option of completing up to two co-ops over a four-year plan, and can go on co-op after completing three academic terms as a Northeastern student and fulfilling the pre-co-op requirements.
Most graduate students complete one co-op experience after completing 16 in-person semester hours and fulfilling their respective pre-co-op requirements. International graduate students must complete one academic year of studies before going on co-op.
Before you can search for co-op positions, you’ll need to clear a few academic hurdles.
Here’s what Northeastern requires for Undergraduate students.
- Completed at least three full-time academic terms as a degree-seeking student
- Passed the Co-op Preparatory Course with a passing grade
- Maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- No unresolved academic probation (or an approved plan to resolve it)
- At least one academic requirement remaining after your final co-op ends
- Enrolled in a full-time, degree-seeking program (not certificate)
Here’s what Northeastern requires for Graduate students.
- Maintenance of a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
- Completion of Co-op Preparatory Course and a passing grade or approved equivalent
- Minimum of one academic requirement or course remaining in degree program following completion of final co-op experience, unless it is specified in the curriculum requirements of the program.
- Completion of a minimum 16 semester hours for all colleges
- No unresolved academic probation (or an approved plan to resolve it)
- Enrollment in a full-time degree seeking program (not certificate)
- International students must attend one academic year, or its equivalent, and obtain proper authorization from the Office of Global Services before engaging in co-op.
Not sure if you qualify? Your co-op contact can verify your eligibility and help you build a plan if you need to address any outstanding requirements.
This is the course that teaches you how to find a job. You’ll be assigned a co-op contact who will stay with you throughout your entire co-op journey.
What you’ll learn
Resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, job search strategy, and professional values for the workplace.
Your co-op contact
Your coordinator or advisor will be assigned based on your major and college, they provide 1:1 support, help you identify career goals, and approve your job offers.
Resume approval
Before you can apply to any positions, your resume must be reviewed and approved by your co-op contact. Start early.
A resume is a one-page tool designed to get you an interview, not a list of everything you’ve ever done. For your first co-op, the goal is to show potential employers the skills you’ve developed so far.
What to include for your first co-op
- Your college and high school (for first resumes)
- Any work experience, paid or unpaid
- Clubs, organizations, and student leadership
- Relevant coursework and academic projects
- N.U.in program, if applicable
Tips for strong bullet points
- Lead with action verbs, not job descriptions
- Quantify impact wherever possible (“trained 5 new staff”)
- Show how you added value, try not to copy-paste duties
- Tailor content to the roles you’re targeting
- Keep it to one page
Download a template: Northeastern’s Experiential Education and Career Development site has a Pre Co-op Undergraduate Resume Sample you can model yours after. Use Big Interview (free for all students) to build your career profile alongside it.
Once your resume is approved and your eligibility is confirmed, you’ll fill out an intent to search form, and then the hunt begins. The process mirrors a real job search, because it essentially is one.
After your resume is approved
Begin applying on NUworks
NUworks is Northeastern’s platform with more than 25,000 postings and connections to 3,800+ employers worldwide. You can also track interviews and upload materials there.
Ongoing
Consider self-developed positions
Found a great opportunity outside NUworks? You can “self-develop” a co-op position, just make sure it follows the standard cycle and gets approved by your coordinator/advisor.
Location
Think beyond Boston
Co-ops are available in domestic and global locations. If you’re open to relocating, check out Northeastern’s Relocation Resources. Expanding your geography can open up more opportunities.
Watch out
Spot scam postings
If an offer seems too good to be true, it might be. Review Northeastern’s guide on identifying scam job postings before applying anywhere outside NUworks.
No co-op secured? It happens, and it’s not the end of the road. You can pursue internships or other work experiences, return to academics, and reapply in the next search cycle. Stay in close contact with your co-op coordinator/advisor throughout.
Landing an interview means your resume worked! Most co-op interviews follow the same structure as professional job interviews.
Practice with Big Interview
Free for all Northeastern students. Build your profile, practice common interview questions, and get feedback on your answers in a low-stakes environment.
Research the employer
Know what the organization does, who their competitors are, and why you want to work there specifically. Generic answers don’t stand out.
Prepare your story
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure behavioral questions about your past experiences, even if they’re from class projects or part-time jobs.
Book a mock interview
Your coordinator/advisor can help you practice. You can also drop in to Career Development or attend a virtual drop-in to get real-time feedback from a career coach.
Once you receive an offer, a few rules apply that are important to understand before you respond.
- Notify your coordinator/advisor before and after you accept; all co-op positions must be formally approved by them.
- Inform other employers you’ve been interviewing with that you’re no longer available as soon as you accept.
- Do not accept more than one offer. Reneging or retracting an accepted offer may result in removal from co-op participation.
- You’re committing to the full period. Accepting means agreeing to the start and end dates set by the employer.
Once you’re in the role, the real learning begins. You’ll receive a Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade based on your performance and completion of reflections; this appears on your transcript.
Be professional
This is your full-time job. Arrive on time, communicate proactively, and follow through on your commitments.
Ask questions early
No one expects you to know everything. Asking smart questions in your first weeks shows initiative and saves time later.
Build your network
The people you meet on co-op are future colleagues, references, and mentors. Connect on LinkedIn and stay in touch after the experience ends.
Complete your assessments
Students on co-op are required to set goals, confirm their supervisor, and complete both a midpoint and final assessment in consultation with your employer. These are required for your Satisfactory grade, and are available in NUworks.
Your Toolkit for Co-op Success
Big Interview
Big Interview is not only a resource for interview prep, but also offers a variety of career development resources and tools, both for Interviewing and for Resumes.
Forage
Forage offers free, self-paced virtual internships and project simulations created by leading companies.
NUWorks Access
NUWorks connects Northeastern Students with co-op, internship, and full-time job opportunities.
Jobscan
Jobscan helps you optimize your resume and cover letter for any job, highlighting the key experience and skills recruiters need to see.
Personal and Digital Branding
What employers find about you shapes their perception of you, often before you even meet.
Expand Your Network
Networking is critical for your co-op search and beyond. Read more for best practices on how to build your professional community.
Wellness Resources
Northeastern offers a variety of wellness support for all students throughout the co-op journey.
Global Co-op & Relocation Resources
Completing a co-op outside of Boston? Northeastern offers a variety of resources for students traveling to complete their co-op experience.