Brazosport College offers courses in Cooperative Education, which may be taken by students in occupational areas.
Cooperative Education is a program in which students are employed off-campus on paid training assignments that are related as closely as possible to the student’s course of study and individual interest. Many jobs performed by cooperative students afford them the opportunity to observe a range of vocations and professions actually being performed and to gain a more realistic understanding of the tasks involved, the conditions under which they work, and the kinds of rewards obtained in a variety of occupations. Cooperative Education can provide a superior opportunity for students to develop realistic social attitudes.
Students who desire to participate in the Cooperative Education program should contact the division chair for the program area of his/her choice and make application. At this time, the student will be interviewed to determine where his or her employment interests lie and to acquaint the student with job opportunities in the student’s major field of study.
There are 17 different major occupational-technical programs with cooperative education plans offered at Brazosport College: Automotive Technology, Chemical Technology, Computer Technology, Criminal Justice, Drafting, Early Childhood Development, General Business Management, Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology, Heavy Equipment Technology, Industrial and Commercial Construction, Industrial and Commercial Electricity, Industrial and Commercial Pipefitting, Instrumentation Technology, Machine Technology/Millwright, Office Administration, Safety, Health, and Environmental Management, and Welding Technology.
After acceptance into a cooperative education program, the student must be accepted by a cooperating employer. The choosing of an employer is most important. Once a student has accepted employment with a company, the student will be encouraged to continue with that company during the training period.
All placement or approval of cooperative training stations is arranged through the coordinator for the student’s major area of study. It should be understood that the college cannot guarantee employment to the co-op student, as it is the employer who actually provides the work experience.
A member of the co-op staff will visit with each student and employer to counsel with both parties and make necessary observations of progress and performance.
While financial reasons are secondary to the educational benefits to be derived from the job, the salary earned is important to most people and is often the enabling device to make further education possible.
Students desiring further information should contact their advisors.