1. Retro-Active Credit
2. Using My Current Job
3. Academic Credit & Non-paying jobs
4. Searching For A Placement
5. Sites Other Than Monstertrak
6. Searching On Company Sites
7. Limit on Internships or Co-ops
8. Required Student Status
9. Placement Assistance v. Guarantees
10. “480” course via distance learning
11. Registration & Notification
12. On-the-Job Issue
13. Permanent Jobs
14. F-1 Visa Holders
15. MBA Candidates
16. Non-Degree Student At UMB
17. When to Start the Process
18. Student Expectations/Benefits 
19. Employer Expectations/Benefits

     

     

1. Can I receive credit for a co-op or internship after I have already completed one?

No. The College of Management’s “480” internship class (three credits) must be taken concurrently (at the same time) with your co-op or internship. The “480” class has regularly scheduled meetings, readings, discussions and projects and you would need to participate in these activities alongside your work assignment in order to receive academic credit. 

2. Can I use my current job to do an internship or credit?

Unfortunately not. While your current job may provide you with a worthwhile opportunity, we do not offer any credit for work experience. An internship must be at a company other than your current employer. 

3. I don’t meet the pre-requisites for the College of Management’s “480” internship, but need to get credit since the company is a “for-profit” and they are not paying me. Do I have any options?

If you are minoring or double majoring in another UMass department, you may be able to receive credit through said department. If this isn’t the case, you should exclusively seek out paid internships or co-ops for now, and politely inform the for-profit employer why you are unable to accept the unpaid position.

4. Do I have to get the internship through the UMass listings on monstertrak.com, or can I also search on my own? 

By all means, use every option that is available to you! Network, talk to folks, seek out company websites that are of interest to you. Other resources include: free career magazines with job listings (in the CM Career Center), job search sites, faculty, friends, family, etc. Also visit Career Services’ Hotlinks for recommendations on great internship and job search websites.

5. In addition to monstertrak.com, what other web sites have been useful to students in seeking out co-op or internship listings? 

The Internet has many good sites out there for college students seeking internships and co-ops. Many allow you to customize your search. Try our Hotlinks for recommendations on great internship and job search websites. Most allow you to search right away; a few require that you register as a user.

6. What about applying directly through company web sites?

Many companies post jobs on their own websites and some will only accept resumes or applications online (PWC, for example). To find current listings, go the company’s home page, and then look for “Jobs”, “Careers” or “Employment”. Click on that section and then look for “Campus Connection”, “College Recruiting”, “University Relations”, “Co-op & Internships”, or “MBA” or “Undergraduate”. From there you should be able to view student openings. After you choose a job, you’ll be prompted to either upload you résumé or complete an online profile (or both). Whatever the instructions are, be sure to follow them exactly. 

7. Can I do more than one co-op or internship during my undergraduate program?

You can, indeed. Obviously, you can only take the associated “480” class once, but you can continue to do internships or co-ops right up until the time you graduate. The more relevant work experience you have the more marketable you will be upon graduation!

8. Is it possible to do an internship or co-op after I graduate?

No. The option to do a co-op or internship is only available to you while you have student status. However, many companies will hire post-graduates for short-term projects or internships.

9. Am I guaranteed a co-op or internship placement?

The College of Management’s Career Center dedicates a significant amount of time and resources so as to increase the quantity and quality of opportunities available to CM students. In addition to job listings, there are career fairs, resume and interview workshops, and career counseling and guidance to help you effectively find an appropriate internship or co-op. However, UMass, as with other colleges and universities cannot guarantee placements. There are simply too many factors that influence job availability.

10. Can I take the “480” course via some type of distance learning if I obtain an internship or co-op that is not within reasonable commuting distance of UMass Boston?

Possibly, but this is very restricted. The CM Career Center evaluates these requests on a case-by-case basis. Exceptions that have been made in the past include a summer internship in New York City, and a summer residential internship program at UMass Amherst, and the Washington Center Internship Program.


11. Once I have accepted a co-op or internship, what’s next?

Whether or not you are taking the internship or co-op for credit, notify Tom Patria, Career Services Specialist for Management, at tom.patria@umb.edu. If you need to be registered for the “480” internship, schedule an appointment and bring the following documents: a current degree audit, your resume, and the employer “offer” letter. If the position was not listed on monstertrak.com, please also bring a copy of the job description. 

12. What if I encounter a problem with my co-op or internship? 

Fortunately, this hardly ever happens. However, there have been rare cases in which a student did have a problem relating to his/her internship or co-op. For example, the work assigned was quite different than what was advertised in the job description. No matter what the issue is, you should first talk with you supervisor to see if the issue can be resolved. If that doesn’t work, contact Kristy Cullivan or your career counselor and we work with you and the employer to try to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Under no circumstances should you leave a co-op or internship without making every reasonable effort to make it work. 

13. What kind of assistance is there for me if I am seeking a permanent job while I continue my studies? 

The co-op and internship program receives job listings that are, for the most part, temporary work assignments. If you need a permanent part-time job while you are in school, you should visit the Office of Student Employment (Campus Center - 4th floor). 


14. I am an International Student (F-1 Visa holder). What, if any, restrictions apply?

Certain restrictions do apply to international students. Please schedule an appointment with Michael Mahan, UMass International Student Advisor, by calling 617.287.5500. Michael will provide you with the current details pertaining to off-campus employment opportunities for international students. 

15. Can MBA students participate in the co-op and internship program? 

MBA students are welcomed to participate in the co-op and internship, though there are some different rules that apply. In certain instances, an MBA student who needs to receive academic credit to participate in an internship (i.e. an unpaid internship at a for-profit company) may be able to register for and take the undergraduate “480” course. Contact Tom Patria, Career Services Specialist for Management at tom.patria@umb.edu for more information.

16. If I am a non-degree student at UMass Boston, can I participate in the co-op and internship program?

No. Unfortunately, you must be a degree-seeking (matriculated) student at UMass Boston in order to participate. If you are a non-degree student from another school, you should check with your original school about co-op and internship placements in the Boston area.

17. When should I start the search for a co-op or internship? 

If you are seeking academic credit (i.e., the “480” class), start your search at the beginning of the semester that you will complete the College requirements. If, for example, you wanted to do an internship in Fall 2003, and you have declared your concentration and are currently (Spring 2003) taking your first concentration course, but meet the other prerequisites, start your search in the spring 2003 semester.

If you are not seeking credit, you should still start early, but listings for placements do come in all year long. 

18. What can I expect from my internship or co-op experience?

Lots! You can expect to learn. You can expect to be treated as a “regular” employee. You can expect to apply knowledge that you’ve learned in the classroom to actual, real-world business situations. You can expect to learn about corporate culture. You can expect on-the-job training. You can expect to meet professionals in your field of interest. Most importantly, you can expect to gain a competitive edge for your future job search!

19. What can employers expect from me? 

Lots, as well! They will expect that you can do what your resume says you can do – Word, Excel, communicate, technical writing, customer service – whatever is on your resume, cover letter and/or was discussed in the interview. They will expect you to look and act like part of the team. They will expect you to be interested and engaged in the work. They will expect that you will fulfill your commitment with them – be it a summer, a semester or a six-month co-op. And, naturally, they will expect you to be on time, have excellent attendance and “dress the part”. 

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