Co-ops vs Internships: What's the Difference?

Duration

• Co-ops: Complete multiple full-time rotations over the course of your 4.5 years with Kettering, starting your first year
• Internships: Generally a single, finite work opportunity that lasts just a matter of weeks and may or may not offer full-time hours or compensation

Kettering’s Co-op alternates academic terms with full-time work, so you spend about three months on campus in classes and labs, then three months at your Co-op. That means you can focus solely on your courses or work without balancing the two.

On the other hand, internships usually take place during a summer or winter break or a busy semester. If you pursue one during the school year, you can generally only take part-time positions because of your course load. Once the internship ends, you may need to find the next opportunity yourself.

Compensation

• Co-ops: Offers paid, professional-level pay, sometimes benefits too
• Internships: May provide paid or unpaid work experience

While some employers pay their interns, many do not or only offer college credit. But Kettering’s Co-op positions represent paid roles, allowing you to earn an income that can defray the cost of your college experience while gaining invaluable hands-on experience. Earn between $45,000 and $70,000 over the course of your Kettering undergraduate career.

University Support

• Co-ops: Co-op Managers assist students starting before day one
• Internships: Students need to find their own resources

Many universities offer career services to students as they explore their interests and post-graduation options. However, only Kettering has Co-op Managers who connect with you immediately as you go through the enrollment process to set you up for success. Our Co-op team will help you find the best fit, perfect your résumé, and ace your interview.

Career Preparedness and Outcomes

• Co-ops: Help build relationships and real-world skills, potentially qualifying students for beyond entry-level positions like leading a project team, working in research and development, and even managing full-time employees
• Internships: Provide limited experience, and participants likely start their careers in entry-level positions

Unlike an internship, a Co-op position generally involves a multi-term work agreement with an employer, which means you can take on increasingly robust roles, projects, and responsibilities. At the same time, almost 40% of students do Co-op with more than one employer to broaden their industry knowledge and experience.

Many Kettering students seamlessly transition to the company of their Co-op — 60% of Kettering Co-op students receive a job offer from their employer.

Wherever you choose to work after you graduate, you leverage a cumulative 2.5 years of work experience at Kettering, which allows you to launch your career at intermediate-level positions with significantly higher starting salaries than the average college graduate. In fact, Kettering grads earn the highest starting salaries in Michigan.

Is Co-op Worth It? Hear from Our Alumni.

No one understands the power of Kettering’s Co-ops quite like the alumni who have experienced what you will. Their stories exemplify how our immersive model of real-world work experience rapidly develops skills and paves the way for remarkable career opportunities right out of college.