In response to COVID-19, UW-Stout Career Services will be processing all Co-op and Field Experience enrollments virtually.
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Report your Co-op or Field Experience on Careerlink, email or call
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Virtual Prework Seminar will be sent via email after your Co-op or Field Experience is reported.
Benefits of Co-op and Internship Program
- Springboard your professional career while in college, preparing you for your career
- Develop career readiness skills in the workplace by working in professional positions with job duties and projects related to your area of study
- Gain confidence in your skills and abilities in your area of study
- Graduate from college and enter the workplace as a critical thinker, globally aware, confident, and self-directed learner
- Build a stronger resume with industry related work experience
- Students who enroll are often fully prepared to engage in, contribute to and become leaders in the global workforce.
- Improve your employability, and increase the odds of landing a position prior to graduation
Search for a Co-op and Internship Positions
- Develop an effective resume and cover letter and expand your job search strategies by utilizing our employment guide and other office resources. j
- UW-Stout receives hundreds of Co-op and Internship positions each year. Search positions approved for your major 24/7 in CareerLink
- Attend Career Conference and other on-campus recruitment/networking events.
Salary and Enrollment Statistics

Our Co-op and Internship program is an educational program in which students obtain work experience in a position related to their academic and/or career interests working a minimum of 8 weeks within a semester. This experience provides an integrated learning experience that enhances both the academic experience and career development.
Students eligible for Co-op and Internship program will have:
- Completed a minimum of one semester of full-time coursework at UW-Stout (12 Credits)
- Enrolled in an academic undergraduate or graduate program/major
- Be in good academic standing (2.0 GPA)
Credits earned per term (semester/summer) vary depending on the length of the position, program requirements, and intensity of experience. Prior to registering students will meet with their professor regarding credit requirements.
Fees will be like any other academic course, you will pay the per credit fee.
Check with your insurance company to see if they need full-time student status documentation. Documentation can be provided by contacting the Career Services office.
To be considered for full-time student status, students must be enrolled in the Co-op course (course ending in SUJB-X49) which requires paid employment at a minimum of 32 hours per week. Students enrolled in Field Experience will not be considered for full-time student status via the Co-op and Internship program.
Students must plan ahead to avoid conflicts with on-campus or off-campus rental contracts. Housing and living expenses while working are the responsibility of the student. Some employers assist with locating housing and/or housing/relocation expenses.
Co-op and Internship experiences will vary in length with many positions being one semester and/or summer in length. Some employers prefer two term positions, January through August, or May through December. Some students complete two or more work experiences with the same employer at upgraded levels, alternating with a semester on campus. The number of work experiences varies from one to several.
Both the university and the employer evaluate the Co-op and Internship students. It is important for the student to have ongoing communication between the site supervisor and their professor. The work experience will be graded.
Career Services hopes to begin working with students freshmen year to cover topics such as job searching basics, resume writing, interviewing skills, networking and professional etiquette in the workplace. Many programs/majors across campus integrate these topics into their curriculum. Career Services provides workshops, mock interview sessions, individual counseling, and also hosts several on-campus recruitment events and networking events with employers.
Students enrolled in our Co-op courses will be working full-time (32 hours per wk.), it is rare to enroll in additional coursework while working full-time.
Students enrolled in our Field Experience courses may consist of combining part-time work with part-time school, is possible when positions are within commuting distance of UW-Stout.
Positions are available in most states and internationally. While many students work in Wisconsin and Minnesota, we encourage students to be flexible about the location in order to ensure the best possible experience and future career paths.
There are a large number of co-op and internship positions available to students and the Career Services staff will work closely with students to help them secure a position. However, in rare cases, due to market conditions, economic circumstances or other factors, a student may not land a position in a given semester. In that case and depending on their field of study and program, they may return to classes and begin the process of applying for positions for upcoming next semesters.
Our Co-op and Internship program is the cornerstone for many UW-Stout programs. The majority of students participate in the co-op and internship program and several programs require it for graduation. Learn more about our academic programs here.
Program directors or your professor must be included in all phases of planning and completing the work experience to ensure that program requirements are met. Lengthy or multiple work experiences usually extend the time required to earn a four-year degree. The extended time is more than often offset given the experience provides a competitive edge in the job market.