Beginning Your Co-op

Preparing For Your First Day on the Job

Before you start your first day, make sure you know the dress code of the work place to avoid being over- or under-dressed.

Make sure you have timed the drive to work during rush hour traffic. You do not want to show up late the first day.

Know what time and where you are expected to report.

Know what documents you need to bring with you. Typically you will need your driver's license and Social Security card and/or birth certificate. These are to process your paperwork through your employer's Human Resource Office.

You will probably start your first day in Human Resources completing the necessary paperwork for employment.

Your next stop may be to go to Medical Services for a drug screen and/or hearing or sight test.

Many employers provide a brief orientation to the company as a whole and to your department in particular. Although procedures vary from company to company, larger co-op employers often assign one contact person, usually within the Human Resources Department, to provide information on the company's history, philosophy, policies, and rules. If there is no formal orientation at your company, request any applicable employment information from your supervisor or the company's co-op coordinator.

Finally, you will go to your workspace. Depending on the company, you may have a desk, phone, computer, etc... for your use. Remember that these are not toys, and your company may monitor these or have strict policies regarding their usage.

Make sure you are introduced and shown around the facility. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with your new surroundings, such as restrooms, cafeteria, copy and fax machines, and any meeting rooms you may need.

If you have to get safety shoes or glasses, try to initiate that immediately.

New Co-op Jitters and Adjustments

Although you may be nervous about facing your first work period and handling your first assignment, it is only a temporary feeling. The logistics of moving and settling in will soon be behind you, and you will have the chance to find out what is involved in your chosen field beyond your classroom experience.

Students who are beginning their first work assignments are often quite eager to jump into a project and to apply their classroom knowledge in the work environment. However, you will often be assigned more basic tasks in order to prove your reliability and competence before becoming involved in higher-level projects. No matter how menial or trivial your early duties appear, give them your best efforts. The spirit with which you tackle your initial tasks will be carefully noted by those around you; not taking those tasks seriously may have a detrimental effect on the progression of your assignment, and eventually your career opportunities.

You can expect to be assigned routine duties initially, but you can also count on being busy. Industry changes rapidly, and some students report that their work levels may be very slow at some points, and then incredibly busy at other times, due to new unexpected projects and timelines. If you find yourself in one of those "slow times," don't hesitate to ask if you may help out with other projects; even in different departments of the company. Your initiative and work ethic won't go unnoticed, and you'll gain even more knowledge about the company and industry.

If, however, there is a significant lack of meaningful, job-related work, please contact the Co-op Office to discuss your concerns. The staff can only offer advice and intervene on your behalf when they are aware of your circumstances.

Your Employer

It is important to remember that although you are a student, your are also working as a company employee. Primarily, you should be working for your employer through the instructions given to you by your supervisor. Sometimes enthusiastic young employees ignore or circumvent their superiors in an attempt to get things done and to progress more quickly in their assignment. Things may move a little faster that way initially, but sooner or later you will learn that such tactics are not tolerated in most organizations. It is to your advantage to work for your employer by following the instructions of your immediate supervisor. Your supervisor determines your evaluation and rates you on your ability to operate within established guidelines and protocols.

Many companies offer a variety of unexpected benefits, including health care, credit union privileges, housing, transportation allowance, financial assistance for course work such as night courses or your co-op credit tuition, etc... Consult the personnel or human resources department of your company regarding benefits for which you may qualify, but remember that these are privileges granted to you by your employer; they are not rights.

If you have been assigned a project to complete during your work assignment, try to tie up any loose ends with that project before you leave the company. If you are unable to complete your project, or if it is an ongoing part of the department, discuss the status of the project with your supervisor or the person who will be responsible for continuing these duties after your departure. Don't just dump a pile of papers on someone's desk on your way out the door.

Your Supervisor

Since your supervisor will be selecting your job assignments, you can expect him or her to make a significant contribution to your growth and competence in acquiring skills, tackling problems, using time efficiently, and communicating well with others in your area. Your supervisor should call your attention to any problem areas or weaknesses in your work habits and/or attitude.

Your supervisor may be called upon to account for, defend, or explain your activities to management or to coordinate your duties into a larger plan, so keep the lines of communication open. While your supervisor will be an important influence on your development and progression in your work assignment, be careful not to solicit minute-by-minute directions and approvals; do your own thinking and seek out your supervisor when you genuinely need assistance with a problem or procedure.