Co-op & Internship Experiences

Meet with a Career Development Advisor as soon as possible. Schedule your Zoom appointment in Navigate South or contact careerdevelopment@southalabama.edu. During your appointment the following topics will be discussed:

1. Review eligibility requirements
2. Develop and refine your resume
3. Create/Update your Handshake profile
4. Identify your goals and interests
   • What type of position are you seeking?
   • When would you like to start working?
   • Where are you interested in working?
5. Create an action plan

Review the following to ensure you are fully prepared for a co-op or internship experience:

1. Research companies of interest
2. Expand your network
   • Attend employer information sessions or career fairs
   • Network with friends, family, or community contacts
   • Conduct an informational interview
3. Fine-tune your interview skills
   • Practice your interview skills with Big Interview
   • Schedule a mock Interview appointment in Navigate South
4. Assemble your interview attire

Search

• Attend career fairs and networking events to identify and narrow down the opportunities that interest you.
• Utilize search databases to locate co-op or internship positions. Digital Resource page with links to multiple search databases.
  • Search for jobs and internships in Handshake
  • Use caution and review the Fraudulent Job Posting Warning page

Apply

• Begin applying for positions and target your resume to each opportunity.
  
  • Apply for jobs in Handshake

• Before the Interview
  1. Practice virtual interviewing with Big Interview
  2. If you have not already done so, schedule a Mock Interview appointment in Navigate South
  3. Research the company
  4. Write a list of questions to ask your interviewer
• During the Interview
  1. Greet the interviewer with a smile
  2. Be positive and energetic
  3. Speak confidently and clearly
  4. Ask when it is appropriate to follow-up
• After the Interview
  1. Write a hand written thank you note to the interviewer(s)
  2. Follow-up with employer
• Accepting the Position
  1. Once you accept the position, STOP your job search
  2. Request an offer letter

Please follow the steps below to submit your information through Handshake regarding your upcoming co-op/internship experience.

1. Select this link to submit your experience into Handshake. 
2. From the ‘Experience Type’ drop down menu choose your major and semester that applies.
   • If your major is not listed, select 'Cooperative Education and Internship Program' for the semester you will be working.
3. Complete ALL fields, then select 'Request Experience' 

Please contact careerdevelopment@southalabama.edu if you need assistance or have questions.

It is never too early to get started looking for a co-op or internship experience. The process can take several weeks, even months to complete.

• Start at least one to three semesters before 
• Start earlier, if possible

Cooperative Education Program Requirements

Internship Program and Academic Credit Requirements

A co-op or internship can be registered prior to the drop/add date on the academic calendar for a current or upcoming semester.  Please follow the steps below to submit your information through Handshake regarding your experience.

1. Select this link to submit your experience into Handshake. 
2. From the ‘Experience Type’ drop down menu choose your major and semester that applies.
   • If your major is not listed, select 'Cooperative Education and Internship Program' for the semester you will be working.
3. Complete ALL fields, then select 'Request Experience'.
4. Please contact careerdevelopment@southalabama.edu if you need assistance or have questions.

1. Select this link to submit your experience into Handshake.
2. From the ‘Experience Type’ drop down menu
   • Select 'Past Internship Experience - REPORT ONLY'
3. Complete ALL fields, then select 'Request Experience'