1

Cooperative EducationPreparatory Programme II

2

Cooperative EducationPreparatory Programme II

• Introduction

• The Interview Selection Process

• Employers View

• Learning Outcomes

• Questions

3

Schedule Of Activities 1• Prep Prog I March/April• CVs And Apps Submitted May• CVs Updated July• Letters to Employers July• Responses to Letters July -- Ongoing• Prep Prog II Sept• Interviews Begin… Sept• Placements Begin… January• Alternative Prog Begins Feb• Reports Submitted Oct

4

COOP DIVISION

5

COOP DIVISION LOCATION

BLOCK E, LEVEL O, ROOM EO-007

OPEN FOR QUERIESMonday, 2.30pm – 4.00pm.Tuesday to Friday, 11.30am – 12.30pm and 2.30pm –

4.00pm Monday – Friday 1.00 to 1.30 pm to collect interview

details only.

ONLINE NOTICEBOARDhttp://www.ul.ie/coop/coop/noticeboard/

6

Support & Advice for Students with Disabilities

• I am really worried about getting organised for Coop• Do I tell an employer about an illness or a disability.

How and when do I disclose?• I am concerned about physical access to interviews

Please contact Careers Support Service, E0019

061 213107

7

COOP PLACEMENT DATES

• Monday 4th January to Friday 3rd September 2010

• Monday 24th May 2010 to Friday 21st January 2011

• Course specific dates next slide

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMME 2010/2011 SCHEDULE

JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2010 JANUARY-SUMMER 2010(3rd year students) (2nd year students) Business Studies/Business & Language Applied Languages

- Accounting & Finance Arts (Joint Honours) - Economics & Finance Economics & Sociology - Marketing European Studies - Human Resource Management History Politics Sociology & Social Studies

- Risk Management & Insurance International Insurance & European Studies Law & Accounting Languages & Cultural Studies Economics & Mathematical Sciences New Media & English Mathematical Sciences Psychology & Sociology Financial Mathematics Equine Science Certificate Multimedia & Computer Games Development English & History Applied Computing & Network Technologies Irish & New Media Engineering Science Manufacturing Systems

Production Management MAY 2010-JANUARY 2011 Product Design & Technology (3rd year students) Pharmaceutical & Industrial Chemistry Aeronautical Engineering Industrial Biochemistry Biomedical Engineering Environmental Science Computer Aided Engineering & Design Health & Safety Computer Engineering Food Science & Health Electronic Engineering Applied Physics Manufacturing Engineering Biomedical & Advanced Materials Mechanical Engineering Sport & Exercise Sciences Robotic Engineering Equine Science B.Sc Computer Systems Wood Science & Technology Digital Media Design Construction Management & Engineering Politics & International Relations* Journalism & New Media*

. Irish Music & DanceModern Languages (ELT)Law & European StudiesLaw Plus*Public Administration

*Denotes new course for 2010 Voice & Dance* Music, Media & Performance Technology

8

9

The Coop CycleComplete

Pre-Coop skills assessment form

Start You Coop placement

here

CompletePost-Coop

Skills assessmentform

Submit Coop

ReportStart here

Preparatory Programme

CV submission

CV circulation - interviews

10

Cooperative Education Credits may also be gained in the following manner:

1. Placement Exemption-Students with relevant previous work experience

2. Own Placement- Students arranging their own Coop- subject to approval

Students seeking either of the above must advise the Coop Office and complete the appropriate forms

11

Coop Ground Rules; Help us to Help You …

•Notify us immediately if you have changed your major option.

•If you are unavailable for any period between now and December 5th, please let us know.

•If organising your own placement you should have told us by now, if not do so straight away.

•You need to check the online notice board daily, if you have an interview you must collect the details from the Coop office (EO 007).

12

Help us to Help You …•Preparation : Consult Interview Resources suggested, look at the company website, read the Coop Report of previous students in the company.

•You must accept the first job offer you received.

•Allow us time to work on your behalf to secure interviews, therefore you cannot find out where your CV has been sent before Week 5.

•Your placement period is January 5th to August 28th, it is expected that you work for this full period of time.

•Before you start your placement you must complete the Pre Coop Skills Assessment.

13

Help us to Help You …1. On the job you should comply with any reasonable requests from your

employer and follow their work directions to you.

2. Take the time and get to know the Company’s rules and regulations especially restrictions on the use of email, internet or telephone. Also Sick Leave and attendance policy.

3. You will accrue annual leave during your placement (if in Ireland), use it wisely. If you need to finish before your contractual end date you can only due so by using your annual leave.

4. You will be assigned a Faculty Visitor, they contact you or your supervisor directly to make the arrangements for this visit.

5. At the end of your placement, complete the Post CoOp Skills Assessment Form and finalise your Coop Report.

14

Preparing for Interview

• Seminars on Interview Skills– Applications & Interviews: 28 Sept @ 6.30 in DG016– CV & Interview Tips: 7 Oct @ 6.30 in C1063– Interview Skills: 20 Oct @ 6.30 in C1063

• Careers Website: www.ul.ie/careers – Link to Destinations website

• Work Experience – video clips of UL students & Coop employers• Interviews• Careers & Employers• And much more

14

15

Careers Resources for Coop• Call into the Careers Information Room E0019– ‘Using your UL degree’ handouts & on Careers website– Free copies of career booklets, employer directories, etc– Career information files for each course– Handouts on Applications & Interviews– Selection of reference books for loan– DVDs on interview skills– 4 PCs for student use

• Open: 10.00 -1.00 & 2.30 – 4.00

15

16

Upcoming Events

International Preparatory Programme Look out for posters and emails.

The UL Open DaysOctober 14th and 15th, Interviews will be held on these days.

The Careers FairUL Sports Arena - 16th October from 12.00 to 04.00 pm

1717

18

Employer Expectations• Knowledge of Subject• Interest in Business• Basic Computer Skills• Language Skills• Driving Licence

• Enthusiasm• Accuracy• Punctuality• Interpersonal Skills• Professional Approach

19

Cooperative Education PlacementWork Situations

• Know the Practices• Your Job• Your Work Location• Your Supervisor• Hours Of Work• Meal Breaks• Safety Procedures• Exposure To Many Tasks

20

How Coop Is Assessed…

21

Coop Documentation …

Before you start your placement you must complete the Pre Coop Skills Assessment.

• Basic Work Skills

• Communication Skills

• Problem Solving Skills

• Interpersonal/Teamwork Skills

• Cultural Awareness

• ICT Skills

• Organisational Awareness

http://www.ul.ie/coop/coop/students/learning_during_coop_howdoi.shtml#howdoi

22

Three Elements to the Assessment of the Placement:• Assessment by visiting Academic

• Employer Evaluation

• Cooperative Education Report

23

Assessment by Visiting Academic

• The visiting academic meets with the Student and the Supervisor

• He/ She then submits a written report

24

Employers Evaluation

• Ability to Learn• Reading/Writing/Communication Skills• Listening & Oral Communication Skills• Creative Thinking & Problem Solving Skills• Professional & Career Development Skills

25

Employers Evaluation

• Interpersonal & Teamwork Skills• Organisational Effectiveness Skills• Basic Work Habits• Cultural Adaptation ( International

Placements)• Professional Skills

26

Cooperative Education Report GuidelinesYour report must adhere to the following structure

1. Summery of Placement ( min. 1 page)2. Brief history of the company (min 1 page)3. Structure of the organisation and student’s

department (min 1 page)4. Student’s main responsibilities min 2 pages)5. Opportunities for Learning during Coop (min 4 pages)

Details from the Coop website http://www.ul.ie/coop/coop/students/reportguidelines.shtml

27

Cooperative Education Report Guidelines• From the Learning During COOP section of the website,

choose a minimum of four skills categories ( for Engineering & Computer Systems students this must include the Professional Skills category) and discuss the role of the COOP in developing those skills. You should write a minimum of one page per skill category. Use your Pre and Post COOP Skills Assessment Forms as a guide.

• Log Book- This is compulsory for all Engineering students.• Appendices

Copies of your completed Pre & Post COOP skills assessment Forms( Compulsory)Copies of reports, drawing, etc. produced for the company ( optional). Remember if you are reproducing any documents, you must ask permission from your employer to do so.

28

Learning During CoOp• Pre CoOp Assessment Form to be completed before

going out on placement• Post CoOp Assessment Form to be completed before

the end of placement• You must submit your completed Pre CoOp

Assessment Form and your Post CoOp Assessment Form as a compulsory appendix to your CoOp Report

• http://www.ul.ie/coop/coop/students/learning_during_coop_howdoi.shtml#howdoi

29

The Interview

30

The Interview

Remember:There are many different types of interview. One company’s interview may be very different to another. Keep this in mind at preparation stage.

31

The Interview 1

Preparation:

• Confirm the time, location and day/date

• Research the company before hand

• Get your confirmation suit cleaned

• Organise whatever transport is needed

• Don’t take notes in the interview unless asked to.

32

The Interview 2

• Arrive a few minutes beforehand to cool down and relax!• Never speak with negative undertones.• Eye contact is critical• Speak clearly and with ease• Look good (suit/blouse/tie etc)• Practice your questions beforehand• Don’t lounge on the chair/fiddle with your ponytail, fiddle with

your ear-rings, watch etc. don’t tap on the desk• Ask relevant questions at the end of the session

33

The Interview 3 Some Questions to prepare for at

an interview:• Tell me more about yourself…..• What do you know about our company…..• What do you look for in a job……• What do other people think of you…….• What do you like least about yourself……..• What are you very good at……..• What are your goals…….• Give me a specific example of that time….• Tell me about your achievements ( don’t give a key note speech on your

sports career, remember to keep the question at the front of your mind).• So-Sport, Personal, Skills, Academics………

34

The Interview 4

Why do people fail interviews?:It is different in every case but here aresome common reasons why people don’t dowell:• Lack of preparation, no questions asked about Co./Job• Over-emphasis on money, False info.,• Lack of eye contact, bad interview attire• Coming across as a know-it-all, Negative undertones

35

What should you know about an Employer?

• Location / Size• Background / History• Core Activity / Key Functions• Market Sector• Recent or significant developments /

Trends

36

Where to find Company Information

• Company Website• Coop Office - Previous Coop reports (where

available)• Internet UL careers website• UL Careers Service - Employer Links• Job Descriptions (where available)• http://www.careerdirections.ie/• Destinations

37

Main Learning Outcomes

• Basic Work Habits• Problem Solving• Communication Skills• Interpersonal / Teamwork Skills• Cultural Awareness• ICT Skills• Professional Skills• Organisational Awareness

38

Basic Work HabitsStudent are expected to:• Report to work as scheduled and on time.• Dress appropriately.• Comply with the company’s policy regarding computer usage.• Comply with the company’s telephone etiquette.• Be aware of the formal personal interactions in the

organisation.• Show a positive and constructive attitude.• Respect company policy regarding absence from work.• Work within the relevant procedures.

39

Communication SkillsTo measure your communication skills level employers

will be asked to rate the students’ ability to:• Listen to others in an effective and attentive manner.• Participate effectively in meetings and/or group

settings • Develop the ability to read and understand written

materials. • Learn to communicate ideas and concepts clearly,

both verbally and in writing • Recognise the importance of non-verbal

communication.

40

Cultural/International Awareness

During their placement students should:• Be conscious of different cultural values• Be sensitive to others with different cultural

backgrounds• Develop an understanding of cultural differences in the

way businesses are run • Make an effort to communicate in the local language,

where relevant • Work on their language fluency – both written and oral• Find out about graduate jobs in their target country

41

Interpersonal and Teamwork SkillsDuring their Coop students should learn to:

• Support and contribute to a team environment. • Assert themselves appropriately and effectively. • Offer and receive constructive criticism • Deal with a range of colleagues, including the

difficult ones. • Build a good rapport with a wide range of people.

42

Problem Solving SkillsDuring their placement students should:

• Gather data to support the decision-making process for a defined problem

• Be able to identify the key issues surrounding the problem

• Be objective even though the student may feel emotional about a particular work issue or situation

• Set out logical arguments and present clear recommendations

43

ICT SkillsStudents should use their coop to apply their existing skills

and to develop new ones, they should:• Be able to use appropriate computer software products

to assist with their daily work• Understand what IT products are available within the

employing organisation and when it is appropriate to use them.

• Understand the capability of any technology such as computer hardware and software, particularly industry standard systems.

44

Organisational Effectiveness SkillsTo develop key organisational effectiveness skills

students should: • Seek to understand and support the organisation’s

mission and goals. • Fit in with the norms and expectations of behaviour. • Work within appropriate authority and decision-

making channels • Be sensitive to organisational politics • Demonstrate a self-motivated attitude to work

45

Professional Skills

Coop will enable students to demonstrate:• Evidence that students have applied the knowledge

they acquired at UL in the areas of science, engineering, technology or mathematics.

• An understanding of the process of problem resolution in the workplace

• An understanding of the industry

46

What work is a Coop Student given?

What you end-up doing is entirely up to you

What is expected of a Coop Student?

The same behaviour as any other member of staff.

In Summary

Engineering & Science Specific

47

48

Cooperative Education Report Guidelines• From the Learning During COOP section of the website,

choose a minimum of four skills categories ( for Engineering & Computer Systems students this must include the Professional Skills category) and discuss the role of the COOP in developing those skills. You should write a minimum of one page per skill category. Use your Pre and Post COOP Skills Assessment Forms as a guide.

• Log Book- This is compulsory for all Engineering students.• Appendices

Copies of your completed Pre & Post COOP skills assessment Forms( Compulsory)Copies of reports, drawing, etc. produced for the company ( optional). Remember if you are reproducing any documents, you must ask permission from your employer to do so.

49

Example of Log BookName: Padraic GallagherID: 55318442/8/09-6/8/09 QUALITY ASSURANCE DEPT., Analysis of failure of product by non destructive testing

(See Appendix for method)Set up process test to define cause of failure

( Appendix for method).Continued to fill in SPC charts. Attended ISO 9001 audit

meetingSupervisors Signature__________Date: 6/8/09

My Coop Report…

Course Name

Student Name

ID Number

50

Example of Log Book

8/8/09-12/8/09 QUALITY ASSURANCE DEPT., Continued with non destructive test analysis. Implemented failure test method on shop floor Conitnued to fill in SOC charts.Investigated Calibration methods required as part of ISO

9001. Supervised Line 7 production for half daySupervisors Signature_____________Date 12/8/09

My Coop Report…

Course Name

Student Name

ID Number