Maximize Your Time on Co-op

Review the tips below to maximize your time on co-op. If you have any questions or want to discuss maximizing your time on co-op further, please contact your Steinbright advisor.

Take Initiative

You can show your enthusiasm and commitment to your co-op by taking initiative and being proactive. Once you've successfully completed all tasks you've been assigned, seek out additional responsibilities to help your colleagues – or better yet, identify an area where you could contribute beyond your usual tasks, and run it by your supervisor for approval. Remember to provide your supervisor with regular status updates on your projects so they know what you're working on and your overall progress.

Ask for Feedback

It's okay, and even a good idea, to periodically ask your supervisor to provide feedback on your work performance. At the start of co-op, you may want to ask your supervisor for feedback on new tasks you've completed to ensure they've met expectations. To request more in depth feedback on your overall work performance, it's recommended that you ask your supervisor if they are available to set up a time to discuss your co-op progress and performance together. Prepare for this meeting with a few questions and be open to implementing feedback from your supervisor after the meeting.

Network

Networking on co-op can enhance the overall experience, as it provides the opportunity to learn more about your colleagues, their roles, and the company. Networking may sound intimidating at first but generally becomes easier with some practice. You can start by building a relationship with your supervisor and immediate team. To continue expanding your network, identify whom within the organization you'd like to connect with and what questions you'd like to ask them. Always be mindful of your colleague's time. If your company offers a networking program for co-ops or networking event, strongly consider participating. 

Find a Mentor

A mentor is someone who can provide guidance, help you navigate difficult work situations, and encourage you to take steps to advance your career. While it's not necessary to find a mentor at every job, a mentoring relationship could help enhance your co-op experience. A mentoring relationship requires time from both you and the mentor, so it's important to consider this before asking someone if they are willing to be your mentor. First, determine your goals for the mentoring relationship (and any skills or areas you want to work on with a mentor). Consider if there is anyone at your co-op who could help you in achieving those goals — perhaps there is someone you've already started having these types of conversations with casually. When asking someone to be your mentor, let them know you value their insight, clearly explain what you are seeking from the mentoring relationship and why you would like them to be your mentor. If you do find someone to be your mentor, always be sure to thank them for their time and show your appreciation to them for supporting your career.

Join a Colleague Resource Group

When starting co-op, you may want to ask whether your employer has any active Colleague Resource Groups (also known as employee resource groups or affinity groups). These groups traditionally provide a supportive space for employees sharing a similar background, identity, or interest. Joining a Colleague Resource Group could provide an opportunity to access resources and build meaningful relationships with other employees.

Take Time to Reflect

Co-op is a great opportunity to learn more about your working preferences, so it's important to continuously reflect on the experience. Take some time each week to think about what you've accomplished, challenges you've dealt with, and new skills (soft and technical) you've developed. Write it down! Continually reflecting on your co-op experience will help you update your résumé, talk confidently about the job in future interviews, and better understand your career interests, workplace preferences, and personal strengths and areas of improvement.