Introduction
What is Cooperative Education?
What are the benefits for a student that registers for a Co-op assignment?
What are the benefits for an employer of a Co-op student?
How the Program Works - the Student Perspective
Are students gauranteed a Co-op assignment?
Will Co-op participants extend their graduation dates?
Will students receive a salary?
How the program works - the employer perspective
What do students say about the experience?
What do employers of Co-op students have to say?
What is the difference between an Internship and a Co-op?
What are some of the companies past UWP students have Co-oped for?
For more Information




The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Engineering Cooperative Education programs offers cooperative education (co-op) opportunities for students pursuing degrees in the following areas.

What is Cooperative Education?

Cooperative Education is a plan of education which effectively combines classroom learning and on-the-job experience so that one kind of learning illustrates and develops the other. The program takes its name from the close cooperation between the academic institution, assuring that the work experience will contribute significantly to the student's overall growth and professional development. Concurrently, the participating company receives numerous benefits from creative and enthusiastic students and contact with the university.

What are the benefits for a Student that Registers for a Co-op Assignment?


What are the Benefits for an Employer of a Co-op Student?


How the Program Works - the Student Perspective

Students who have completed the sophomore year with a GPA of at least 2.5 are eligible for the program. Students who do not meet these requirements and believe that there are extenuating circumstances for their situation should meet with the Director of the Co-op program. (NOTE: Some companies will request students who are completing their freshman year of studies. Students should watch the co-op postings for these special cases.) The student must prepare a co-op application and submit it to the co-op office staff. Students are asked to indicate their interest in co-op positions as they are posted.

Are Students Guaranteed a Co-op Assignment?

The number and types of positions offered vary each semester depending on the needs of the companies involved in the co-op program. The co-op office staff cannot guarantee that every student interested in co-op in a given semester will be placed in a position.

Will Co-op Participants Extend Their Graduation Dates?

Students enrolled in the program generally take five, and sometimes six years to complete a bachelor's degree. For various reasons, co-op won't be for all students, however for many it will enhance classroom learning. Usually the experience gained and the salary upon graduation outweigh the extension of undergraduate studies.

Will Students Receive A Salary?

Wages are based on many factors including the engineering major, academic skills of the student, market demand, and geographic area. Many employers provide some benefits or scholarships.

How the Program Works - the Employer Perspective

Employers should provide a job description and any requirements the co-op student must meet. The co-op office staff will provide resumes of those students interested in the position for pre-screening. Interviews may be done on-campus, by phone, or on-site. The co-op staff will arrange on-campus interviews for the employer. Terms of employment (time period, salary, fringe benefits, transportation, etc.) are negotiated directly between the employer and the student. A supervisor for the co-op should be designated and orientation to the company should be provided. The supervisor should evaluate the co-op at regular intervals. Recognizing that the co-op is a trainee, the assigned work should provide a varied experience for the co-op. There is no obligation to hire the student for another work period or as a permanent employee.

What Do Students Say About the Experience?

Co-op participants indicate that combining their classroom exercises with actual engineering situations are an excellent way to learn more about the real-world working environment. The co-op experience also assists with college finances and postgraduate employment prospects.

What do Employers of Co-op Students Have to Say?

Employers indicate that the program has mutual benefits to the employer and the student. Employers are able to train prospective employees in the practicalities of engineering and expose students to the rules, procedures, reports and ways of doing things that meet accepted industry standards. Company professionals profit from the knowledge of the student and often can keep up-to-date on what is being taught in the classroom.

What is the Difference Between an Internship and a Co-op?

Internships in the engineering programs are generally defined as summer positions with an employer in a student's area of interest. The co-op office staff handles requests for interns by posting position descriptions.

What are some of the companies past UWP students have Co-oped for?

UWP Students have Co-oped at the following companies:
AC Compressor Appleton, WI
Affiliated Engineers, Inc. Madison, WI
Alfred Benesch & Company Chicago, IL; Kenosha, WI
Allen Bradley Company Richland Center, WI
Alliance Laundry Systems Ripon, WI
Alliant Techsystems Janesville, WI
Alliant Techsystems-Accudyne Corporation Janesville, WI
Alliant Energy Cedar Rapids, IA
Alliant Utilities Madison, WI
Amana Appliances Amana, IA
American Engineering Testing, Inc. St. Paul, MN
American Engineering Testing, Inc. Schoefield, WI
American Materials, Inc. Eau Claire, WI
American Roller Company Union Grove, WI
Amerock Corporation Rockford, IL
Ametek/Lamb Electric Division Racine, WI
Amsco Fabricated Products Rice Lake, WI
Amsted Industries Chicago, IL
Amtec Corporation Janesville, WI
Anderson Corporation Bayport, MN
Ansul, Inc. Marinette, WI
Applied Technologies Lake Villa, IL
Apogee Wausau Group Wausau Metals Wausau, WI
Appleton Papers, Inc. Combined Locks, WI
Applied Microtechnology, Inc. Platteville, WI
Argonne National Laboratory Argonne, IL
Ashley Furniture Arcadia, WI
ASI Technologies Milwaukee, WI
AY Macdonald Manufacturing Company Dubuque, IA
Ayres Associates Eau Claire, WI
Barber Colman Loves Park, IL
Barnstead Thermolyne Dubuque, IA
Barr Engineering Company Minneapolis, MN
RH Batterman and Company, Inc. Beloit, WI
Bemis Machinery Company Sheboygan Falls, WI
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. Winona, MN
Bemis Flexible Packaging-Curwood Oshkosh, WI
Bentonite Performance Minerals Belle Fourche, SD
Besley Products Corporation South Beloit, IL
Bethlehem Steel Chesterton, IN
Black & Decker Beloit, WI
Blain Supply, Inc. Janesville, WI
Bonestroo & Associates, Inc. Mequon, WI
Borg Indak, Inc. Delvevan, WI
Braun Intertec Corporation Minneapolis, MN
Briggs and Stratton Corporation Wauwatosa, WI
Brunk Industries, Inc. Lake Geneva, WI
BRW, Inc. Milwaukee, WI
Bucyrus International, Inc. South Milwaukee, WI
Bukacek Construction, Inc. Racine, WI
Bushman Equipment, Inc. Butler, WI
Cabela's Distribution Center Prairie Du Chien, WI
Camcar/Techtron Rockford, IL
Cardinal FG Portage, WI
Carnes Company Verona, WI
Carroll Electric Beloit, WI
Plant Metallurgist Racine, WI
Caterpillar Peoria, IL
Cedar Corporation Menomonie, WI
CESO Inc. Dayton, OH
CGC Inc. Madison, WI
CG Schmidt, Inc. Green Bay, WI
Cherry Corporation Wakegan, IL
Chicago Bridge & Iron Company Plainfield, IL
Chicago Dubuque Foundry Freeport, IL
Chippewa County Land Conservation Department Chippewa Falls, WI
Chippewa County Highway Department Chippewa Falls, WI
Chiquita Processed Foods LLC Fall River, WI
Chrysler Corporation Belvidere, IL
City of Appleton Appleton, WI
City of Ashland Ashland, WI
City of Beloit Beloit, WI
City of Bettendorf Bettendorf, IA
City of De Pere Depere, WI
City of Dubuque Dubuque, IA
City of Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI
City of Elkhorn Elkhorn, WI
City of Fennimore Fennimore, WI
City of Marshifield Marshfield, WI
City of Menasha Menasha, WE
City of Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
City of Onalaska Onalaska, WI
City of Oshkosh Oshkosh, WI
City of Ripon Ripon, WI
City of River Falls Ashland, WI
City of Rock Island Rock Island, IL
City of Rochester Department Public Works Rochester, MN
City of Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI
City of Sun Prairie Sun Prairie, WI
City of Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin Dells, WI
Colman Motor Products Darlington, WI
Coltec Industries Beloit, WI
Columbia Par Car Reedsburg, WI
Community Engineering Consultants, Inc. Green Bay, WI
Contestoga Rovers & Associates Chicago, IL
Construction Cost Systems, Inc. Lombard, IL
Consul-Tech Engineering Orange Park, FL
Cooper Environmental & Engineering Resources West Bend, WI
Cooper Power Systems Waukesha, WI
Cooper Power Systems Waukesha, WI
Crafted Plastics, Inc. Sheboygan, WI
CPR Engineering De Pere, WI
Crispell-Snyder, Inc. Lake Geneva, WI
J P Cullen & Sons, Inc. Janesville, WI
Cutler Hammer Division of Eaton Corporation Milwaukee, WI
Dairyland Power Cooperative La Crosse, WI
Dane County Highway Department Madison, WI
Datex-Ohmeda Madison, WI
Dayco Eastman Manitowoc, WI
Dean Foods Vegetable Company Fairwater, WI
Dean Foods Vegetable Company Green Bay, WI
Earth Tech, Inc. Milwaukee, WI
John Deere Dubuque Works Dubuque, IA
Deere & Company Moline, IL
Del Monte Corporation Plover, WI
Delphi Delco Electronics Oak Creek, WI
Department of Public Works La Crosse, WI
Dickten and Masch Manufacturing Company Nashotah, WI
DIGI Star Fort Atkinson, WI
Donaldson Company, Inc. Minneapolis, MN
Donaldson Company, Inc. Stevens Point, WI
Dorgan Associates, Inc. Madison, WI
Doskocil Food Service Company Jefferson, WI
DURA Automotive Stockton, IL
Durrant Dubuque, IA
Eagle Window & Door, Inc. Dubuque, IA
ECM Motor Company Elkhorn, WI
E & V Consultants & Construction Managers Minneapolis, MN
Eagle Point Software Dubuque, IA
ECG Inc. Altoona, WI
Elkay Manufacturing Lanark, IL
EMCS Design Group Milwaukee, WI
Emerson Electric Company Menominee, MI
Emerson Motor Company Sturgeon Bay, WI
ERTL Company Inc. Dyersville, IA
Exide Battery Corporation Manchester, IA
Farnam Mellor Sealing Systems Necedah, WI
Farnsworth Group Inc. Madison, WI
Fehr-Graham & Association Freeport, IL
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Batavia, IL
FIGI's Marshfield, WI
Fischer Environmental Inc. Ripon, WI
Flambeau Micro Division Sun Prairie, WI
Flambeau Plastics Baraboo, WI
Flexsteel Industries Inc. Dubuque, IA
Foth & Van Dyke Green Bay, WIM.
Freedom Plastics Inc. Janesville, WI
Friday Canning Corporation Fall River, WI
FWD Corporation Clintonville, WI
Gannett Fleming Inc. Madison, WI
Generac Power Systems Inc. Waukesha, WI
General Electric Burlington, IA
General Engineering Company Inc. Portage, WI
General Kinematics Barrington, IL
General Motors Corporation Janesville, WI
General Thermodynamics Franklin, WI
Geneva Lakes Cold Storage Inc. Darien, WI
Georgia Pacific Green Bay, WI
Geotest West Allis, WI
Gerber Products Reedsburg, WI
Giddings & Lewis Automation Technology Fond Du Lac, WI
Gilbane Building Company Chicago, IL
Gilman Janesville, WI
Gilbert Southern Corporation Peachtree City, GA
Giles Engineering Associates Inc. Madison, WI
Giles Engineering Associates Inc. Waukesha, WI
Glenbard Wastewater Authority Glen Ellyn, IL
Glen Oak Lumber & Milling Inc. Montello, WI
GME Consultants Inc. Minneapolis, MN
Gold 'N Plump Poultry Arcadia, WI
Gorman Surveying Inc. Minneapolis, MN
Grant-Lafayette Electric Cooperative Lancaster, WI
Grede Foundries Inc. Reedsburg, WI
Greenheck Fan Corporation Schofield, WI
Hamilton Sunstrand Rockford, IL
The Hammerblow Corporation Wausau, WI
Hardy Geo Tech Inc. Omro, WI
Harley Davidson Motor Company Franklin, WI
Hartley Controls Corporation Neenah, WI
Harza Engineering Company Milwaukee, WI
Henneman Jaspal Engineering Services Inc. Madison, WI
Hillshire Farm & Kahns New London, WI
HNTB Corporation Milwaukee, WI
Hoffmaster Company Oshkosh, WI
Honda Raymond, OH
Honeywell Microswitch Division Freeport, IL
Hormel Foods Corporation Austin, MN
Howard R Green Company Cedar Rapids, IA
Hufcor Inc. Janesville, WI
Huffy Sports Sussex, WI
Hunzinger Construction Brookfield, WI
Husco International Waukesha, WI
Hutchinson Technology Hutchinson, MN
IIW Engineers & Surveyors Dubuque, IA
Illinois DOT District 2 Dixon, IL
Illinois DOT District 3 Ottawa, IL
IMC Nitrogen Company East Dubuque, IL
IMI Norgren Rockford, IL
IMS Infrastructure Management Services Inc. Arlington Heights, IL
Industrial Coils Inc. Baraboo, WI
Intel Corporation Rio Rancho, NM
Interactive Technologies Inc. North Saint Paul, MN
Intermet Corporation Sturtevant, WI
Exopack LLC Tomah, WI
Interstate Power Company Dubuque, IA
Iowa DOT ENgineering Division Ames, IA
JF Ahern Company Fond Du Lac, WI
Jacobs Engineering De Pere, WI
Jacobsen Textron Racine, WI
Jahnke & Jahnke Associates Inc. Waukesha, WI
Jewell & Associates, Inc. Spring Green, WI
John Sexton Contractors Company Hillside, IL
Kankakee County Highway Department Kankakee, IL
Kelch Corporation Cedarburg, WI
KTE Consultants Brookfield, WI
Kewaunee Nuclear Plant Kewaunee, WI
Kiewit Construction Group Phoenix, AZ
Kimberly Clark Corporation Neenah, WI
KL Engineering Inc. Madison, WI
Koch Materials Company Dubuque, IA
Kohler Company Kohler, WI
Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Company Inc. Wausau, WI
Edward Kraemer and Sons Inc. Plain, WI
Krueger International Bonduel, WI
Krueger International Green Bay, WI
Krueger International Manitowoc, WI
Landmark Engineering Group Inc. East Moline, IL
Lands End Inc. Dodgeville, WI
Laser Machining Inc. Somerset, WI
Laser Master Corporation Eden Prairie, MN
LASX Industries White Bear Lake, MN
Leach Company Oshkosh, WI
Lehman Company & Associates Glen Ellyn, IL
Little Rapids Corporation Green Bay, WI
Little Rapids Corporation Shawano, WI
Arnold Lundgren and Associates PC Rockford, IL
Michael J Losik & Associates Brookfield, WI
Lowe Manufacturing Company Inc. Readstown, WI
Madison Gas & Electric Company Madison, WI
Manitowoc Cranes, Inc. Manitowoc, WI
Maquoketa Valley Electric Cooperative Amosa, IA
Marquip LLC Phillips, WI
Maxim Technologies Inc. Wausau, WI
Mayville Engineering Company Mayville, WI
McMahon Associates Inc. Neenah, WI
Mead Paper Company Excanaba, MI
H.R. Recruiting Fond Du Lac, WI
Metro Design Associates Inc. Schaumburg, IL
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Chicago, IL
Micron Technology San Jose, CA
Mid-State Contracting, Inc. Wausau, WI
Midwest Engineering Services Waukesha, WI
Miller Brewing Company Milwaukee, WI
Miller Electric Manufacturing Company Appleton, WI
Milwaukee Ductile Iron Inc. West Allis, WI
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation Brookfield, WI
Miniature Precision Components Inc. Walworth, WI
Minergy Neenah LLC Neenah, WI
Minnesota Power Duluth, MN
Mirro Corporation Manitowoc, WI
Modine Manufacturing Company McHenry, IL
Modine Manufacturing Company Racine, WI
Monona Wire Corporation Monona, IA
Motorola Inc. North Brook, IL
MPC Inc. Walworth, WI
MPI Wisconsin Machining Lake Mills, WI
MSA Professional Services Baraboo, WI
Nercon Engineering Oshkosh, WI
Nestle USA Nutrition Division Eau Claire, WI
Noran Instruments Middleton, WI
Nord Gear Corporation Waunakee, WI
Northern Hardwoods A Mead Company South Range, MI
Northern States Power Company Eau Claire, WI
Northland Stainless Inc. Tomahawk, WI
Northwest Enterprises Eau Claire, WI
NTN Bower Corporation Macomb, IL
OMNI Associates Appleton, WI
OMNI Glass & Paint Inc. Oshkosh, WI
Oscar J Boldt Construction Company Appleton, WI
Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation Madison, WI
Oshkosh Truck Corporation Oshkosh, WI
Pace Industries Reedsburg, WI
Pacific Scientific Rockford, IL
Packaging Corporation of America Tomahawk, WI
Packard Instrument Company, Inc. Downers Grove, IL
Paragon Associates Inc. La Crosse, WI
Passe Engineering Spring Lake Park, MN
Pearson Engineering Madison, WI
Pella Corporation Pella, IA
Pella Corporation Carroll, IA
Pella Corporation Sioux Center, IA
Penda Corporation Portage, WI
Phonak Inc. Warrenville, IL
Pieper Electric Inc. Milwaukee, WI
Placon Corporation Madison, WI
Plastic Ingenuity Inc. Cross Plains, WI
Plexus-Technology Group, Inc. Neenah, WI
Polaris Industries Osceola, WI
Portland Cement Association Skokie, IL
Polyfab Corporation Sheboygan, WI
Power Packer Inc. Westfield, WI
Potlatch Corporation Cloquet, MN
Power Packer Westfield, WI
Powers Lake Construction Company Inc. Twin Lakes, WI
Precision Drive and Control, Inc. Monroe, WI
Prent Corporation Janesville, WI
Pressed Steel Tank West Allis, WI
Presto Products Company Appleton, WI
Proud Excavating Inc. Chippewa Falls, WI
Pyramid Companies Rockford, IL
R A Smith and Associates Brookfield, WI
Ramaker & Associates Inc. Sauk City, WI
Ray O Vac Fennimore, WI
Read Excavating Company Inc. Gilberts, IL
REI Wausau, WI
Research Products Corporation Madison, WI
RES Manufacturing Company Milwaukee, WI
RFC Engineering Inc. Ham Lake, MN
Richland Center Foundry Richland Center, WI
RITE HITE Dubuque, IA
Riverland Energy Cooperative Arcadia, WI
River Valley Testing Corporation Appleton, WI
River Valley Testing Corporation Wausau, WI
RMT Inc. Madison, WI
City of Rochester Rocheter, MN
Rockford Products Corporation Rockford, IL
Rockwell Automation Allen Bradley Richland Center, WI
Rockwell Collins Cedar Rapids, IA
Rockwell Software Inc. West Allis, WI
Ryan Incorporated Central Janesville, WI
S & S Cycle Inc. Viola, WI
STS Consultants LTD Green Bay, WI
STS Consultants LTD Milwaukee, WI
Sauk County Land Conservation Department Baraboo, WI
Schenck Accurate Inc. Whitewater, WI
Schlichting & Sons Excavating Inc. Rockford, IL
Scot Industries Inc. Muscoda, WI
SEH Construction Services Rice Lake, WI
The Selmer Company Green Bay, WI
Sentry Insurance Stevens Point, WI
Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc. Chippewa Falls, WI
Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc. Rice Lake, WI
Siegel Engineering Inc. Mercer, WI
Signicast Corporation Milwaukee, WI
Smith Engineering Consultants Inc. McHenry, IL
Snap On Tools Corporation Kenosha, WI
Solutia Inc. Indian Orchard, MA
Sony Electronics Inc. San Diego, CA
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Carbondale, IL
SPX Corporation - Service Solutions Owatonna, MN
SSI Technologies Inc. Janesville, WI
Standish Industries Inc. Lake Mills, WI
STA Rite Industries Inc. Dela Van, WI
Statz Restoration & Engineering Baraboo, WI
Robert R. Stenstrom Inc. Rockford, IL
STORA ENSO North America Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Strand Associates Inc. Madison, WI
Strass-Maguire & Associates Inc. Milwaukee, WI
Strattec Security Corporation Milwaukee, WI
STS Consultants LTD Milwaukee, WI
Super Western Inc. Menomonee Falls, WI
Svedala Industries Inc. Appleton, WI
Swiss Colony Monroe, WI
TDS Telecom Madison, WI
Technology Group Inc. Neenah, WI
Techumseh Products Company Newholstein, WI
Tenere Inc. Dresser, WI
Textron Fastening Systems Rockford, IL
Thilmany Kaukauna, WI
3M Prairie Du Chien, WI
Titan Inc. Racine, WI
TN & Associates Milwaukee, WI
Toltz King Duvall Anderson & Associates Inc. St. Paul, MN
The Toro Company Tomah, WI
Trane Company La Crosse, WI
Trostel SEG Inc. Lake Geneva, WI
True North Engineering Solon Spring, WI
Uni-Systems Minneapolis, MN
United States Gypsum Company East Chicago, IN
Universal Silencer Stoughton, WI
URS Corporation Milwaukee, WI
US Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island, IL
US Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul, MN
US Gypsum Corporation Shoals, IN
Vernon Electric Corporation Westby, WI
Vierbicher Associates Inc. Reedsburg, WI
Village of Howard Engineering Green Bay, WI
VORG INDAK Delavan, WI
VP Buildings Evansville, WI
Warner Electric Rotary Motion Division Brake and Clutch South Beloit, IL
Manufacture Engineer Team Leader Richmond, IL
Waupaca County Waupaca, WI
Wausaukee Composites Inc. Wausaukee, WI
Weather Shield Manufacturing Inc. Medford, WI
Weaver Boos & Gordon Chicago, IL
Welch Hansen & Associates Inc. Delafield, WI
West Bend Company West Bend, WI
Westbrook Associates Engineers, Inc. Spring Green, WI
Wight Consulting Engineers, Inc. Barrington, IL
Willett Hoffmann & Associates Inc. Dixon, IL
Wisconsin Central LTD Plover, WI
Wisconsin Centrifugal Waukesha, WI
Wisconsin DOT District 2 Waukesha, WI
Wisconsin DOT District 4 Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Wisconsin Lake Schooner Education Association Milwaukee, WI
Woods Equipment Company Rockford, IL
Woodward Governor Company Rockford, IL
WRR Environmental Services Company Inc. Eau Claire, WI
Zenith Tech Inc. Waukesha, WI
Zinga Industries Inc. Reedsburg, WI

For More Information:

Contact the Engineering Cooperative Education Office, 100 Ottensman Hall, 1 University Plaza, Platteville, WI 53818-3099. Phone: 608.342.1686, Fax: 608.342.1566