Center for Career Development
Co-op Agreement
The following summarizes the expectations for all Tennessee Tech University students seeking a Cooperative Education assignment (or other type of practical work experience) either as part of their program mandate or as a choice for experiential education.
All students must:
- Accept primary responsibility for obtaining an acceptable cooperative education or internship position. The university is prevented by legal, ethical and educational grounds from “placing” individuals into work assignments.
- Honor your commitment once you accept a position and work as long as your co-op/internship assignment states. Once you have accepted an offer of employment, it is a contract between you and the employer. You may not renege on an offer of employment once accepted.
- Conduct yourself in an ethical manner consistent with accepted business ethics and practices.
- Complete all the requirements of the Cooperative Education Program as determined by the Center for Career Development.
- Follow all established procedures for reporting and registering your employment to the Center for Career Development Office, and for completing the necessary Co-op Term Reports, upon completion of each co-op assignment.
- Acknowledge that co-op students are not eligible by law for Unemployment Compensation resulting from their co-op work experience.
- Notify the Center for Career Development Cooperative Education Coordinator of any change in your academic or employment status or of any problems associated with your co-op/internship work experience.
Expectations while on the job:
- Abide by the employer guidelines and regulations stated.
- Report to work regularly and punctually. If you must be absent, follow the stated guidelines by your employer and notify them prior to the beginning of your day.
- Always conduct yourself in a professional manner and be a productive employee.
- Dress appropriately for the work environment and expectations of your employer.
- Always consult your supervisor if you have questions regarding expectations of your responsibilities or conflicts or concerns related to your workplace.
- When you complete a project or assignment, advise your supervisor and ask for additional work.
- If at any time you are unclear on how to handle a situation while on your co-op assignment, call the Center for Career Development and speak with your Cooperative Education Coordinator.
* The Tennessee Tech Cooperative Education agreement, professional practices and ethical responsibilities were written with significant assistance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RIT).