This Co-Op Final Briefing meeting lasts for 90 minutes.

If you cannot stay for the entire time, you will need to attend a

different meeting. Call or go by the AU Co-Op Program Office for the time & place of a “make-up”

meeting.

Partners in Success

Your Academic Major

Co-Op Student: YOU!

Co-Op Employer AU Co-Op Program

Final Briefing - Part I

Your responsibilities as an Auburn Co-Op Student

If you will be working Fall 2015,

register for COOP4920 -

Cooperative Work Experience

instead of registering for

academic classes.

You have 2 copies in your packet:

1. For you to initial, sign, & turn in

2. For you to keep as a reminder of your responsibilities as a Co-Op Student.

Initialhere

CHECKLIST OF TASKS THAT MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED

1. Before leaving for each co-op work assignment, obtain a program outline from your Academic Department, and confer with your Academic Advisor on classes for your next school semester(s).

1. Encounter difficulties with registration, availability of course offerings, and slowed progress toward graduation.

CHECKLIST OF TASKS THAT MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED

2. If working in a state different from the state in which your car is registered and/or from which your Driver’s License has been issued, come by the AU Co-Op Office and have our staff complete a Motor Vehicle Reciprocity form for you .

2. Possibly be fined by the state and/or city where your co-op job is located and be required to purchase a car tag and Driver’s License from that state.

CHECKLIST OF TASKS THAT MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED

3. Before leaving campus, go by the AU Office of University Scholarships & the AU Student Financial Aid Office to discuss your unique aid situation. Each student’s aid situation is different. You need to know exactly what is required of you to insure continued receipt of aid assistance in the future.

3. Run the risk of not receiving scholarship funding and/or other forms of financial aid in the future.

* As a co-op student, you must register for a non-credit, non-graded class titled

COOP-4920: Cooperative Work Experience

for each co-op work semester.

CHECKLIST OF TASKS THAT MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED

4. Within one week of beginning work, complete and return to the Co-Op Office your Work Term Addresses form.

4. The AU Co-Op Program Office will be unable to reach you.

or, on the website at

auburn.edu/co-op

Students

Current Co-Ops

Work Address

CHECKLIST OF TASKS THAT MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED

5. Within one week of returning to school, come by the Co-Op Office and: Complete and return 2 copies of Student Work Report.Give us your school address.Check-in with us and sign off on your Co-Op Alternation Schedule.

5. Face the possibility of being dismissed from the Auburn Co-Op Program.a

b

c

a

or on the website at

auburn.edu/co-op

Students

Current Co-Ops

Work Report

b

Date and Initialin this column

CHECKLIST OF TASKS THAT MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED

6. Pre-register for your next co-op work semester or school semester.

7. Before going back to your final work semester, go by the AU Registrar’s Office and your Dean's Office for a “credit check”.

6. Be charged a late registration fee by AU Student Financial Services.

7. Run the risk of not graduating on time because of lack of completed required course work.

Your Student Financial Services bill (ebill) must be kept up to date.

If your bill remains unpaid, it prevents you from being registered during a

Co-Op Work Semester

* You will not be able to report to

work for the co-op work semester.

Got a job?Complete

this section.

Don’t have ajob? Complete

this section.

Have received, but not acceptedany job offers.

Everybodycomplete this

section.

Please pass the signed Checklist (green sheet) to your right.

One copy of this Checklist is for you to keep to remind you of your responsibilities as a co-op student.

Registration

Students will register online by way of Banner / Tiger-i

AU Co-Op Program office will send an e-mail message to your Auburn account (userid@auburn.edu) reminding co-ops when registration begins.

Spring Semester only:Students in school Spring

Semester & working Summer Semester must register for both

the Summer Semester “COOP4920 - Cooperative

Work Experience” course & Fall Semester academic classes.

If you plan to take a course at a college other than AU during a co-op work semester, see your Academic Advisor before leaving campus for:

Permission Letter required for “Transient” status

Final Briefing - Part II

Co-Op Student on the Job

Your First Days @ Work

Grooming . . . Haircuts / Hairstyles Appropriate Dress / Attire Personal Habits

– handshakes– shyness vs. taking initiative– learning people’s names (Dr., Mr., & Ms.)– be courteous to EVERYONE

Your First Days @ Work Express appreciation and thankfulness.

(Thank You = “magic” words) Avoid gossip & company politics Upbeat attitude vs. complaints / gripes Have patience with yourself and others Attitude

– you influence others– “attitude of gratitude”– positive, upbeat, “can do” attitude

Making the Most of Your Co-Op Work Term

Observation– people – methods– Models / mentors

ore than 30 years ago, someone told me when first starting a job, get the lay of the land before becoming a superstar.

The best approach is to first do a lot of observing; be as helpful as you can without being obnoxious, overly ambitious, or assertive. Try to become a team player as soon as possible. People will recognize your strengths without your broadcasting them all over the organization. If you have strong self-esteem, people will find that out without your telling them.

After you have been accepted in the organization, GO FOR IT. And, by the way, the way to receive a lot of recognition and credit is to give away as much of it as you can. George Green, President and General Manager KABC Los Angeles

Making the Most of Your Co-Op Work Semester

Instructions– concentration– make notes– ask questions until instructions are

clear– repeat instructions back to supervisor

(active listening) Learn from whom to seek help

– express appreciation– “spread the word”

Making the Most of Your Co-Op Work Term

Your reputation– accurate work– good judgment– open minded– team player– ethical– respectful– serious about work– pride in the work you do

Needs more experience Too glib (showing little

thought, preparation, or concern)

Not a tactful person Not assertive enough Needs more self confidence Needs to think situations

through before making decisions

Begins work before he is totally clear on instructions and has to frequently re-do his work

Needs to improve in tact and diplomacy

Doesn’t listen well enough yet Isn’t proving he is management

material Content to do just average work Argumentative Cocky Inattentive Shy Needs maturity

Actual Negative Remarks:

Making the Most of Your Co-Op Work Semester

Mistakes– report them to the Supervisor (if you

“mess up . . . fess up”)– accept the blame– move toward a solution

Telephone Etiquette– speak distinctly– identify yourself and department– personal calls (brief, permissions, etc.)

Making the Most of Your Co-Op Work Semester

As a Newcomer– towards the bottom of the Organizational

Chart– “gopher”– make everything a learning experience– lower level tasks lead to tasks involving

greater challenges

What To Expect . . . 1st Work Semester – Serves as an

orientation.  Students become familiar with their assigned organization and the activities of the company in general.  Supervisors and other full time employees provide specific instructions for work assignments.

2nd Work Semester - Work assignments will vary in level of difficulty, complexity and responsibility . . . depending on the student’s demonstrated abilities.

3rd Work Semester & beyond - Co-op completes work assignments and projects with minimal direct supervision.

Making the Most of Your Co-Op Work Semester Company Rules

– safety rules– start and stop times– “lunch hour”– use of phones, e-mail, Internet access . . .

personal use vs. business use? $alary concerns

– personal– how are $alary increases determined in

your company?

Making the Most of Your Co-Op Work Semester

Every night ask yourself this question: “Have I made a profit for my employer today?”. If the answer is “yes,” you’ll still have a job tomorrow. If it’s “no,” get your résumé together.

An employee can’t merely be an expense to his/her company, but an investment that pays dividends. The bigger the dividend, the brighter your future.

Don’t expect a raise because you’ve been at your job a given amount of time. Raises are given because you are worth more then you are currently being paid. Be worth more than you’re making, and you’ll soon be making what you’re worth. So do more than you are asked; get to the office a little early; stay a little late; and if you run out of assignments, make up your own. You might come up with the big idea even your boss failed to think of.

Buddy Weiss - President, Weiss Advertising

What Your Boss Wants YOU to Know before starting work . . .

Don’t make excuses Don’t aim for perfection Anticipate problems Handle problems yourself Be punctual Take being at work seriously Don’t be a squeaky wheel

What Your Boss Wants YOU to Know before starting work . . .

Choose your battles carefully Don’t hold a grudge Deal with the decision-makers Understand boss language Learn what others are doing Get along with co-workers Be discreet

What Your Boss Wants YOU to Know before starting work . . .

Develop a sense of timing Don’t lie Read industry publications . . . be

informed Get to know your peers Make no assumptions

Co-Op Program Housekeeping

E-mail is your friend . . . check userid@auburn.edu e-mail for info. from AU Co-Op Program Office

Stay in touch with us on all major problems, decisions, etc.

Control of program is with Auburn Student Financial Aid &

Scholarships Low grades this semester?

You should have already read your Co-Op Handbook. If you have not, read it before going to work.

The handbook contains very important info. about being a Co-Op Student.

Final Words

Job Offers– Accepted / declined co-op job offers? We

need to know!– Are you clear concerning when and where to

report to work? Alternation Schedule (Work / School plan)

– your unique work / school plan– changing work / school rotations

Your employer will not automatically inform the AU Co-Op Program Office if you are offered and/or accept a job. It is your responsibility to inform the AU Co-Op Program Office of all job offers and/or job acceptance.

If you are not successful in landing co-op employment as a result of applying for jobs this semester:

Work with us again next semester  It often takes more than one semester to

secure co-op employment

Do not go back through the Co-Op Registration process

Call the AU Co-Op Program office during the very beginning of next semester to set up an appointment with your Co-Op Coordinator. 

We will update your file, verify your eligibility, and then allow you to use the AUCo-OpLink system to again apply for co-op positions.

You earn a future when you earn a degree!