TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Co-ops From:JULIE ANN BOMMARITO <jabommar -at- MTU -dot- EDU> Date:Mon, 2 Aug 1993 20:15:13 GMT
First, for those of you who do not know. Co-op is short for cooperative
education, which is a program run by many (most?) colleges to help
students get experience before graduation. Here at Michigan Tech a
student on a co-op goes to work for a company for at least 6 months (these
do not have to be sequestial) in a professional capacity.
Personally, I think that co-op experience in invaluable. In fact, we
recently had a company post a full-time position that "only students with
co-op experience need apply."
Allison, I would encourage you to talk to any company that you think needs
your skills but either a) can't afford a person with a degree and/or
b)only has a short (3 month) project that needs to be done. All it will
cost you is some time and resume paper! Many companies need technical
writing, document design, and other work done, but only have one
manual/project per year. These are the ones to target. Also, go to job
fairs, career days, etc. and talk to ANY company, not just the ones listed
as looking for STCs.
BTW (by the way) I have worked as a co-op for ten months, some full and
some part-time, at the Career Center here on our campus.
Julie Bommarito
<jabommar -at- mtu -dot- edu>
Michigan Technological University
