Cooperative Education Program

WPI Co-op Registration Process

To Register, You Will Need To:

Obtain an account on the CDC web based system called CareerPlanner@WPI. This can be done via the web with instructions and a link at www.wpi.edu/Admin/CDC/Students. Follow the instructions for the online training and resume writing workshop and submit a resume you're your new CareerPlanner@WPI account.
Complete the registration screens and develop a one page resume
Have your resume reviewed by a member of the CDC staff
Review Co-op Terms of Understanding and Financial Aid Information Sheet
Fill out the Academic Planning Worksheet and review it with your advisor and bring to CDC
Complete the yellow Registration card with your signature and that of your academic advisor and bring to CDC
View co-op job postings and send your resume to prospective co-op employers
Sign up for on-campus interviews

1. Registration process in CareerPlanner@WPI

CareerPlanner@WPI is accessible at http://wpicareerplanner.erecruiting.com.
Enter your user id and password in the prompt at the top of the screen. Once you access the system, you can change your password at any time.
Click on "Profile" to access your account information. Move through all of the sections (Personal, Academics, Future Plans and Administration) and complete all of the necessary information.
The information entered in the "Profile" sections will be utilized by the CDC to match your interests and qualifications with employment opportunities.
Under "Future Plans" make sure that the Job Type selected is either co-op for January - May or May - December.
When writing your resume...
- Be sure that the words Cooperative Education or Co-op appear in your job objective.
- Follow-up with resume approval process - after submitting your resume, stop by the CDC two days later to pick up the critiqued copy. If it is stamped "See Counselor", make an appointment to see a CDC counselor to review the resume. Please make any updates to the copy prior to your appointment.
- Your final approved resume will be added to the Co-op Web Resume Book.

2. View Co-op Job Postings

Once you have completed the registration process, you can respond to co-op job opportunities that are posted in the CareerPlanner@WPI system.

Always read the CDC Administrator Message for important recruiting and CDC information.
Click on "Jobs" at the top of main screen to enter the job search section of CareerPlanner@WPI.
When entering the job criteria, make sure under the Job Details section you choose co-op under the Opportunity Type and Job Type selections.
Forward your resume to employers listing available relevant job opportunities.
Check the companies recruiting on-campus for co-op and submit your resume for those positions for which you fit the qualifications.
New co-op positions are added each week during the academic term.

3. Sign up for Co-op On-Campus Interviews

Those employers wishing to conduct interviews here at WPI will schedule On-Campus Recruiting dates. These interviews will be either by resume pre-select or open sign-up. You can find these jobs also listed in the Job section of CareerPlanner@WPI and they will be noted with the interview icon.

For a wide-ranging search through all available jobs in CareerPlanner@WPI, use the Specific Search on the left side of the Search for Opportunities screen.
The Advance Search allows you to search according to specific criteria including opportunity type, salary, industry and state.

4. Online Application Process

If you are eligible to apply online for a job listing it will have an Apply Online link. Click on this link to open the Apply for Job/Internship/Co-op page.
Use the drop down menus to select the resume you want to upload (plus any other relevant documents).
If the job has an Open Interview Schedule, you can sign up for an interview slot as part of the application process. For a Closed Schedule, you need to be selected as Accepted by the employer before you can sign up for an interview.
Some jobs will be restricted by the employer by major, GPA, date of graduation, work visa or other miscellaneous work requirements. If the job you're viewing is restricted and you are unable to apply, that information is displayed in an "Application Restricted" box on the Job Listing page.
Once you have been accepted for a job interview, you can sign up for a slot on an interview schedule.
If you wish to change the time slot on an interview schedule, you can do so provided that there are still available slots on the schedule. To change your time slot, click on your Personal Events page and click on the link for the interview schedule you wish to change. If there is another available time slot, a Choose a different slot link will appear on the Interview Schedule page.
Use the radio buttons to select a new available time slot and click on the Save button.
To Withdraw an interview application, click on the Applications
Once you have been accepted for an interview, it is the CDC policy that you accept the interview. Please review the CDC Interview Cancellation Policy in the Job Search Handbook.
Many employers hold evening presentation the night before scheduled interview dates. Please check the Events calendar for this schedule.
Attendance at these presentations is strongly recommended as a great way of preparing for an interview and getting very important information about the company and available positions. Many companies consider attendance at this event as the first step in the interview process!

5. During the Co-op Placement Process

if change your phone number or resume, be sure to update the information in the Registrations section and on your resume and re-submit it to the CDC
attend an Interviewing Skills workshop
keep us informed of all interviews, secondary interviews and job offers, etc by emailing us at cdc@wpi.edu or by stopping at the CDC
if aren't sure about a job offer, please meet with a CDC staff member to discuss the opportunity before you make your decision
be patient and open-minded
apply for as many jobs as possible
don't pass by great opportunities because you don't think you're qualified unless the employer clearly spells out specific courses or skills (i.e. MUST be able to program in "C")

6. Once you accept a Co-op Position

you can no longer accept any interviews or offers!
as soon as you accept a job a job please stop by the CDC to sign your contract and give us the information we need regarding your placement.
You cannot start working before you sign your contract!
once you provide us with the necessary details about your co-op position, we will notify the Registrar, Accounting, Financial Aid and Residential Services offices as well as your academic advisor that you will be on co-op next semester
international students need to see Tom Thomsen (once we provide him with written notification of your position) to obtain proper work authorization paperwork before you can start working

Maintained by webmaster@wpi.edu
Last modified: November 17, 2006 13:37:30