What Types of Jobs Are Suitable for Co-Op/Internship Students?

  • Assistant to a position: Using a Co-op/Internship student in this manner is an excellent way to free a manager, planner or other personnel.
  • Project work: Often, employees are too busy to tackle the to-do list. Statistical reports, quality control studies, layouts, inventory controls and market studies are excellent projects for Embry-Riddle students.
  • Trainee: Such a position allows for more independent work assignments.

What Time Structures Are Available?

  • Semester: Students work one 15-week semester. This is the most popular time period.
  • Alternate semesters: Students work a term and alternate the next semester with academic study. Typically, students would repeat this sequence two or three times.
  • Consecutive: Students work longer than one term. The work term may be as long as one year.
  • Parallel: Students work part-time while attending classes part-time.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring Students for Co-Op/Internship Programs?

  • Reduced labor costs: Benefits often account for 25 to 35 percent of personnel costs. Using Co-op/Internship students can significantly lower these costs.
  • Reduced recruitment costs: Traveling to campuses and interviewing is costly. The Co-op/Internship Program allows an employer to evaluate a potential employee’s productivity in your environment with no risk. Consider the 15-week Co-op/Internship semester as an extended interview.
  • Improved employee retention: As a result of learning the company’s corporate culture, Co-op/Internship students generally remain with their initial employer longer than traditional students. Employers have had great success in hiring former Co-op/Internship students on a full-time basis.
  • Improved work performance: Knowledge gained while on Co-op/Internship enables our students to enter full-time positions at a higher level of productivity than an inexperienced graduate. Embry-Riddle students are committed to the highest standards and have a strong aviation/aerospace background. The Co-op/Internship student will help with professional-level work assignments in areas related to the student’s academic major.

What Are the Indicators of a Superior Co-Op/Internship Program?

  • Orientation: Each new Co-op/Internship student should have an orientation consisting of company procedures, meeting supervisors and an overall introduction to the company. At the orientation, the student should also be informed about what the larger community has to offer and be encouraged to participate in social activities. Each Co-op/Internship student should be an integral part of the company, and supervisors should be encouraged to make the students feel welcome and comfortable. This may include an email address, ID badge, workstation and equipment that employees need to accomplish required tasks.
  • Mentoring: It is recommended that each new Co-op/Internship student be provided with a mentor for guidance throughout the Co-op/Internship experience. This creates a great working relationship for both the student and mentor.
  • Supervision: Select and develop work supervisors. These people should have strong people skills and have an interest in working with and training students.
  • Compensation: Compensation is offered at the company’s discretion. Although there are no University requirements governing this, compensation makes an opportunity more attractive to potential candidates. If you are a for-profit private sector employer, please review the U.S. Department of Labor fact sheet on Internship Programs Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (updated Jan. 5, 2018). Most companies offer compensation in one or more of the following forms: monetary, specialized training, flight or tuition benefits, housing, and/or relocation assistance. Any compensation to be offered should be indicated on the position description form.

How Can We Get Connected?

The Center for Career and Professional Development at Embry-Riddle is committed to helping you source, interview, and select intern candidates for opportunities year-round. There are multiple ways to recruit our students.

  • Career Expo and Career Fair: Each campus offers a fall Career Expo and a spring Career Fair. You can view event dates here.
  • Eagle Career Champions Program: Employers are invited to join our champions program at three different level, Blue, Gold, and Platinum. Each level offers customizable recruiting 
  • Eagle Job Shadows Days: Host Embry-Riddle students at your site in Central Florida or anywhere in the country. Offered twice a year for all three campus locations.
  • Handshake: Handshake offers employers the opportunity to post and manage positions and applicants in the system, offering access to search resumes of prospective candidates from all three Embry-Riddle campuses.
  • LinkedIn: Follow us on LinkedIn.
  • Connect: Reach out to the team for recruiting and engagement. We want to understand your recruiting needs so we can guide you.
  • Make an Impact: Employers have an opportunity to make an impact on students’ careers by making tax-deductible donation to the Career Assistance Fund or our Daytona Beach, Prescott or Worldwide campus students.