More than 800 employers are looking for NIU students to hold internships with their companies.

The Cooperative Education Office organizes the majority of internships for undergraduates. Sally Johnson, program manager, said “people are not always aware that the office is here” to provide internship information to students.

She said many students think the Career Planning and Placement Center supplies internships for students, but they actually deal with graduating students.

Ed Riedl, the office’s engineering and technology coordinator, said the office deals with internships and co-ops. Many students do not know the difference between internships and co-ops, he said.

Internships are a one-time on-site work experience that lasts for one semester. Internships are available for spring, summer or fall terms.

Co-ops are alternating work experiences. Students work for a company for one term, return as a full-time student for the next term and then work for the same company the following term, he said.

Johnson said students can receive academic or co-op credit for their work experience. Students receive academic credit through the department of their major, and co-op credit is indicated on their transcripts after working for two terms.

Many students are called back by companies with which they held a co-op position because companies prefer to hire someone who can start as a full-time knowledgable employee, Riedl said.

Coordinators assist students with resumes and information about internship and co-op programs. Johnson said resumes include courses taken, grade point averages, past work experience and a student’s career goals.

Johnson said almost all of the internships and co-ops are paying jobs, with an average salary of $10.50 per hour. Jobs are offered not only in Illinois, but in other states and overseas, she said.

Nine coordinators work in the Cooperative Education Office to help students with their questions and create awareness on campus. Ken Foster, business coordinator, said the office creates awareness of jobs by advertising in The Northern Star.

“We use every marketing technique we can” to make students aware of the program, Riedl said. In addition to advertising, he said he addresses classes of 50 to 70 sophomores and juniors, participates in career days and summer orientations and informs faculty members in his department and students through word of mouth.

When asked how students have responded to the program, he said, “I have not had any negative reactions because they have a vested interest in getting money, experience and credit.”

Foster said students must fill out an application in the office to be considered for internships or co-ops. The office requires students to have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and more than 30 credit hours.

Transfer students must have completed more than one semester at NIU. Many companies require students to have a 3.0 GPA, he said.