| My D is through half of a 4 session coop (two semesters, two summers which works out to two 7 month sessions -- she went mid-January to mid-Aug this year and will do mid-May to December next) in mechanical engineering. In addition to being paid somewhat decently, the experience has been very good -- besides other learning experiences, she designed a "new" product, actually an upgrade of a previous product, prepared and made management presentation on the product, its feasability and cost per unit to get approval for manufacturing, and then also worked on the design of the production line modifications that had to be made to accept the change. The company was local in relation to home (Chicago area) and she was able to take one night course during the semester that transfers to UIUC as part of its gen ed requirements. In any event, she will end up graduating in 5 years instead of 4 but it seems to be well worth it (company for which she is coopting has already indicated it would like her back after graduating). |