Co-Op Program

Watch the Co-Op Video

The Cal Poly Construction Management Department's Cooperative Education (Co-Op) Program is a collaborative effort between students, construction industry businesses, and the Cal Poly Construction Management Department. The Co-Op program allows students to work in a full time paid position while receiving credit towards completion of a Construction Management Degree.

Additionally a Co-Op Experience can provide the following student benefits:

• Opportunity to earn required curriculum academic course credit (topics course) while working.
• Ability to construct a customizable enhanced work experience for the student.
• Enables students to retain (part) or full time student status while working full time.
• Assist in integrating and incorporating academic theory with work experience.
• Adding further relevance to prior classroom education and future course work.
• Improved industry contacts and working relationships through purposeful efforts.
• Increased likelihood of a quality field experienced with continuous communication between the Co-Op Director, the employer, and the student.
• Engaged-learning occurs through assignments which encourage academic reflection which increase educational and professional relevance.
• Possible completion and linkage of a curriculum required senior project with work experience.
• Provides a means of earning income to help cover increasing college expenses.
• Develops maturity and leadership which will enhance both professional and social skills.
• Confirms (or redirects) student career decisions as way to “test-drive” career choices.
• Improves employment prospects at graduation with transferable work experience skills.
• Often leads to higher starting salaries than others with similar educational
  backgrounds.
• Professional confidence is increased with proven successful performance in the
  workplace.
• Avoids a student from simply getting thrown onto a jobsite with no plan or support structure.
• Provides a mechanism which allows for a “neutral third-party” feedback loop to both the employer and the student.

Phil Barlow, Co-Op Director
Email:plbarlow@calpoly.edu
Phone: 805.756.2797

Roles of Co-Op Members

CM Co-Op Director

• Supervise and evaluate your overall Co-Op experience.
• Assist (as a student advocate) with preliminary co-op activities.
• Enhance potential engaged-learning experiences.
• Monitor your progress during your work assignment.
• Provide technical assistance and support as needed.
• Respond to work related problems or student concerns.
• Grade your Co-Op work assignment.

Industry Co-Op Supervisor

• Provide an initial orientation and assign work projects.
• Provide training and resources needed to complete the job.
• Oversee and/or supervise your work assignments.
• Respond to work related questions.
• Evaluate your overall work performance.

Cal Poly Co-Op Student

• Complete all academic requirements for the Co-Op program.
• Actively communicate with the CM Co-Op Director through progress reporting.
• Provide feedback to ensure the quality and meaningfulness of the work assignment.
• Represent Cal Poly in a professional manner.

Partial Funding for the Cooperative Education Program is provided by:

The Construction Employer's Association, www.cea-ca.org