Onboarding and Orientation

Before the First Day

Communicate with your Co-op Student

• Arrange a start date. The co-op program has an official start date, but students may be flexible. An earlier start date can be negotiated between the employer and the student directly.
• Provide students with any required paperwork and make students aware of required documentation for their first day.
• Arrange for any required screening, such as background checks, security clearances, and drug testing.
• Provide students with details concerning work hours, dress code, and office location.

Internal Planning

• Select a supervisor and mentor who will work closely with the student.
• Share expectations for the co-op placement with your staff.
• Plan meaningful work assignments.
• Plan for additional work and extra tasks in the event that the student works ahead of schedule.
• Arrange a schedule for the first day and week, including any necessary training.
• Set times for regular meetings and performance reviews with the student's supervisor.
• Set up the student's workstation and prepare items such as identification, email accounts and computer passwords so that they can start working right away.

The First Day

Orientation

• Complete any outstanding new-hire paperwork.
• Provide the student with an employee handbook.
• Explain payroll policies and schedule.
• Ensure the student has necessary passes, keys, and computer access.
• Introduce the student to the staff team and the student's mentor.
• Establish a clear line of communication and reporting with the student's supervisor and other leaders within the department.
• Provide the student with a tour of the facility.
• Review the job description with the student and provide clear expectations of training plans, work assignments, professionalism, and deadlines.
• Provide a timeline for performance reviews and an explanation of evaluation processes.

Set Expectations

One of the keys to co-op success is a clear explanation of expectations from the employer. Many students are relatively new to the workplace, thus, will benefit from a thorough review of company policies, procedures and expectations, as follows:

• Attendance, including a detailed explanation of work hours and time-reporting procedures
• Discrimination and harassment policies
• Company dress code
• Email and communication professionalism
• Personal conduct standards
• Progressive disciplinary actions
• Emergency procedures and safety training
• Personal use of company time, including cell phone, email, and Internet use

What Makes an Excellent Co-op Experience

The following points were compiled from employers and students about what makes an excellent co-op experience.

• Provide an initial orientation and ongoing training.
• Establish clear expectations for communication and routine check-in points for feedback.
• Discuss employer and student expectations and establish specific learning objectives.
• Set up meetings with different company representatives and instruct students on how to network within the company and industry.
• Schedule mid-point evaluations to give students feedback and make adjustments.
• At the end of co-op, complete the SCDConline performance evaluation.
• Review the student's updated résumé. If appropriate, provide a letter of recommendation.
• Encourage students to present or provide a written summary of their experience to colleagues and future co-op hires.
• Include students in the interview process for their co-op replacement and potentially have students be involved in the initial training of their replacement.
• Contact your co-op advisor with questions, concerns, or just to relay a student's success.