Do Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, and Marine Biology students typically participate in co-operative education (co-op)?
Most Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, and Marine Biology students do participate in the co-op program. Students do as few as one and as many as three co-ops. Employers are able to specify whether each position is suited to all levels, first time co-op students, or only more experienced students.
Why do students participate in a co-op program?
Northeastern students participate in co-op to gain valuable work experience, try out new fields of interest, learn about their chosen careers, acquire and strengthen skills, and develop a network of professionals. Co-op salaries may also help defray educational expenses.
What are the Environmental Science and Studies and Marine Biology curricula at Northeastern?
This website includes a description of the Environmental Science and Studies and Marine Biology program options and links to course descriptions.
What are my organization’s responsibilities as a co-op employer?
Your organization is responsible for interviewing and hiring students and providing them with adequate job training. There are no requirements regarding the work that co-op students do, and they should be treated as temporary employees or interns. We do ask you to work with each co-op student to complete an evaluation of each co-op student at the end of the work period. We supply an evaluation form via a password protected website, but you are welcome to complete additional evaluation. We feel that evaluation is a valuable tool for helping students use their experience to grow and improve.
How long and for how many hours would co-op students work for us?
Students work at least 32 hours per week for 6 months. Co-op terms run from January to June and July to December. We are flexible, however, with dates, and we do have a 4 month co-op option. If you can only offer an unpaid co-op, students will only work 20-25 hours per week.
What if there are problems with a co-op student?
Northeastern’s co-op program enjoys a high success rate with its employers. Should a problem arise, contact the Co-op Faculty Coordinator as soon as possible. Co-op students are employees of your organization and should expect to be treated as a member of your staff in all regards including discipline.
How much do students get paid and what benefits must employers provide?
The salary is determined by you and is reflective of your particular industry. The typical salary range for students employed in Environmental Science and Studies and Marine Biology positions is $8.00 – $15.00 per hour, based on skill level and experience. Co-op students are eligible for overtime pay as required by law. Per the IRS, co-op students cannot be paid as independent contractors.
Some employers that cannot afford an hourly rate will offer students a stipend. Employers and students must still pay taxes when utilizing stipends for pay. While we encourage employers to pay co-op students, we understand that some organizations can offer valuable positions but are not able to offer a salary. When students and employers agree to an unpaid co-op position, the student will work in their unpaid position for 20-25 hours a week and find a paying job for another 20 hours. If you are not able to pay a student, we ask you to consider whether there are any other means of support that you can offer.
How can my organization participate in Northeastern’s co-op program?
You can create a co-op position by completing this Co-op Job Form. This job can then be offered, at your request, in any future co-op term. Feel free to contactyour Co-op Faculty Coordinator with questions or to discuss further details. By participating in our program your organization will join the thousands of companies and institutions, nationally and internationally, who have become our partners in education. Thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Employer FAQs
More employer FAQs can be found here. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Do Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, and Marine Biology students typically participate in co-operative education (co-op)?
Most Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, and Marine Biology students do participate in the co-op program. Students do as few as one and as many as three co-ops. Employers are able to specify whether each position is suited to all levels, first time co-op students, or only more experienced students.
Why do students participate in a co-op program?
Northeastern students participate in co-op to gain valuable work experience, try out new fields of interest, learn about their chosen careers, acquire and strengthen skills, and develop a network of professionals. Co-op salaries may also help defray educational expenses.
What are the Environmental Science and Studies and Marine Biology curricula at Northeastern?
This website includes a description of the Environmental Science and Studies and Marine Biology program options and links to course descriptions.
What are my organization’s responsibilities as a co-op employer?
Your organization is responsible for interviewing and hiring students and providing them with adequate job training. There are no requirements regarding the work that co-op students do, and they should be treated as temporary employees or interns. We do ask you to work with each co-op student to complete an evaluation of each co-op student at the end of the work period. We supply an evaluation form via a password protected website, but you are welcome to complete additional evaluation. We feel that evaluation is a valuable tool for helping students use their experience to grow and improve.
How long and for how many hours would co-op students work for us?
Students work at least 32 hours per week for 6 months. Co-op terms run from January to June and July to December. We are flexible, however, with dates, and we do have a 4 month co-op option. If you can only offer an unpaid co-op, students will only work 20-25 hours per week.
What if there are problems with a co-op student?
Northeastern’s co-op program enjoys a high success rate with its employers. Should a problem arise, contact the Co-op Faculty Coordinator as soon as possible. Co-op students are employees of your organization and should expect to be treated as a member of your staff in all regards including discipline.
How much do students get paid and what benefits must employers provide?
The salary is determined by you and is reflective of your particular industry. The typical salary range for students employed in Environmental Science and Studies and Marine Biology positions is $8.00 – $15.00 per hour, based on skill level and experience. Co-op students are eligible for overtime pay as required by law. Per the IRS, co-op students cannot be paid as independent contractors.
Some employers that cannot afford an hourly rate will offer students a stipend. Employers and students must still pay taxes when utilizing stipends for pay. While we encourage employers to pay co-op students, we understand that some organizations can offer valuable positions but are not able to offer a salary. When students and employers agree to an unpaid co-op position, the student will work in their unpaid position for 20-25 hours a week and find a paying job for another 20 hours. If you are not able to pay a student, we ask you to consider whether there are any other means of support that you can offer.
How can my organization participate in Northeastern’s co-op program?
You can create a co-op position by completing this Co-op Job Form. This job can then be offered, at your request, in any future co-op term. Feel free to contactyour Co-op Faculty Coordinator with questions or to discuss further details. By participating in our program your organization will join the thousands of companies and institutions, nationally and internationally, who have become our partners in education. Thank you!