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What is a Co-Op?

A co-op (cooperative education) is a semester-long, full-time employment opportunity that you can participate in as part of your college education.

More than just a job, co-ops at Champlain count for 12–15 academic credits, so you can gain valuable professional experience while getting paid and still graduate on time!

Test-Drive Your Career Through Immersive Professional Experiences

Class Time Meets Full Time

Our co-op program is designed to fit seamlessly within your academic plan. When you participate in a co-op at Champlain, you:

  • Work full time at your co-op position
  • Earn 12-15 credits toward your degree
  • Reflect on and document your professional development
  • Receive competitive pay from your employer

Because co-op credits count towards completing your degree, you’ll gain professional experience—and still be on track to graduate in four years.

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Why Choose a Co-Op?

Champlain’s co-op program offers tangible, long-term benefits. Champlain graduates with paid work experience earn, on average, $15,000 more per year after graduation.

Gain deeper professional experience.

Working full time means you’ll have more ownership than a typical internship—you’ll gain invaluable experience that comes from working with professional teams.

Earn while you learn.

Experience is valuable, but so is your time. All co-ops at Champlain are paid positions, so you can focus your energy on making the most out of the experience.

Get full-time facetime with industry leaders, experts, and future peers.

Being there day in and day out for an entire semester will help you build meaningful working relationships with actual professionals in your future industry.

Enhance your resume.

Boost your marketability as you start to look for jobs—co-op experience is highly regarded by employers looking to hire new talent.

Test drive your future.

When you have co-op experience under your belt, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running in your future workplace.

Burlington and beyond — where will your co-op take you? 

Students can explore co-op opportunities anywhere in the US!

A Co-Op As Unique As You

Our co-op program is open to juniors and seniors. Each co-op is tailored to a student’s interests, skills, and career goals. For example:

  • A cybersecurity major may choose to work with a cybersecurity firm to defend networks for businesses and government agencies across the US.
  • A marketing student may spend their semester working for a fashion or skincare company, creating digital content and branded materials.
  • A business major may work with a leading snow sports and outdoor recreation company to improve the shopping experience with artificial intelligence tools.
  • A social work student may join a local non-profit to advance housing, education and public safety for local communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

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