| Cooperative Education Program | Student Eligibility |
| Academic Credit | Administration |
| Summer Employment | Alumni Assistance |
| Career Counseling | Vocational Interest Inventory |
The Cooperative Education Program provides students with the opportunity to integrate experiences in the classroom with experiences in industry. The Cooperative Education Program is a partnership with business, industry, governmental agencies, and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. A student who wishes to participate in the Cooperative Education Program should contact his/her Academic Department Cooperative Education Coordinator.
Students are employed in the area of their major. The Cooperative Education Program is open to SDSM&T students who are above a grade point average of 2.0.
Students accepting cooperative education a position register and pay for a Cooperative Education (CP) class of two (2) hours of academic credit during the semester they are on co-op assignment. Cooperative education credits may be applied toward graduation in accordance with college and department policy.
Each department appoints a Department Cooperative Education Coordinator. The Department Cooperative Education Coordinators, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the Director of Career Planning make up the Cooperative Education Steering Committee. The Cooperative Education Steering Committee is responsible for developing qualified cooperative education industrial or business experiences, will assist students in locating co-op opportunities, maintains contact with cooperative education employers; and conducts an on-going evaluation of the program.
(2-0) 2 credits. Prerequisite: One full academic year of studies and have maintained a minimum 2.5/4.0 GPA. A single semester work experience at the employer’s location. Students will be asked to utilize specialized skills learned in the classroom and will be permitted to develop human relations skills and maturity in a degree-relevant work environment. Each student must satisfy departmental requirements in order to earn credit for the course. Requirements will include but not be limited to a written report of the work experience and an employer’s evaluation of work performance. Students must have the approval of the departmental Co-operative Education representative in order to enroll.
The staff of the Career Planning Office has the responsibility of assisting students in making realistic career choices. They do so by offering the following services:
Many companies hire SDSM&T students for summer job experience. University resume forms and/or company application forms are collected as early as September for summer jobs commencing the following May. Companies may collect resume forms for consideration later on, hold a group meeting to explain summer employment opportunities and application procedures, or conduct interviews while on campus. Summer jobs can help the student confirm his/her career choice.
On Campus Interviews for Seniors and Graduate Students
Many companies send representatives to the campus each year to interview students. These interviews, and follow-up interviews at the plant site, assist students in career selection. Prior to interviews, students are encouraged to use available resources: College Planning Council publications, company literature available in the Career Information Library, suggestions in the Career Planning Bulletin, and personal conferences with their academic advisor, department chair, and the Director of Career Planning.
Alumni who desire placement assistance should contact the staff of the Career Planning Office at (605) 394-2667. The Career Planning office is pleased to offer career counseling, placement information, and job search assistance to alumni of SDSM&T.
Available upon request. For further information related to career development, contact the staff of the Career Planning Office located in the South Lounge of Surbeck Center, Phone (605) 394-2667.
Available upon request. For further information on testing, please contact Chuck Colombe, Office of Academic Support Services, Room 114 Palmerton Hall (605-394-6969).