Internships and Co-Ops
NE Internships and Co-Operatives
Undergraduate internships and co-op programs provide School of Nuclear Engineering students with exceptional work-integrated learning experience. Each year approximately 14% of our undergraduate population participates in the highly competitive co-op program through Purdue's Office of Professional Practice (OPP). They alternate semesters of on-campus academic study with sessions of work with a valued industry partner, such as Dominion, First Energy Corp. and Westinghouse. We are always looking to partner with additional companies to provide more experiential opportunities.
Our undergrads apply for either a 3-session or 5-session co-op program (see sample schedules below), however, the 3-session option is most common. Both options rotate students on a semester basis between formal coursework and employment, and these rotations are structured to accommodate courses that are strictly offered in fall or spring semesters. Regardless of the rotation, NE co-op students’ time-to-degree does increase to a 5-year commitment.
Where to Begin
NE undergraduate students should start by reviewing information provided by OPP's Undergraduate Co-Op Program and following the program's checklist. Co-Op Callouts, usually held early in the semester, are followed by the opportunity to update your profile in their database and start applying for positions. Note that it is important for our co-op students to meet with their faculty coordinator and student services advisor early in the process to ensure any scheduling conflicts are promptly addressed. Reach out to the NE Student Service Office at [email protected] with questions.
Sample NE Co-Op Schedules
ON CAMPUS = OC (gold)
OFF CAMPUS = OFF (black)
OPTIONAL ON CAMPUS = OPT (grey)
5-Session Option
| Plans | 1st Year | 2nd Year | 3rd Year | 4th Year | 5th Year | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | S | SS | F | S | SS | F | S | SS | F | S | SS | F | S | SS | |
| Plan A | ON | ON | ON | OFF | ON | OFF | ON | OFF | ON | OFF | ON | OFF | ON | ON | OPT |
| Plan B | ON | ON | OFF | ON | OFF | ON | OFF | ON | OFF | ON | OFF | ON | ON | ON | OPT |
3-Session Option
| Plans | 1st Year | 2nd Year | 3rd Year | 4th Year | 5th Year | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | S | SS | F | S | SS | F | S | SS | F | S | SS | F | S | SS | |
| Plan A | ON | ON | OPT | ON | ON | OFF | ON | OFF | OPT | OFF | ON | OPT | ON | ON | OPT |
| Plan B | ON | ON | OPT | ON | ON | OPT | OFF | ON | OFF | ON | OFF | OPT | ON | ON | OPT |
| Plan B | ON | ON | OPT | ON | ON | OPT | ON | OFF | OPT | OFF | ON | OFF | ON | ON | OPT |
| Plan B | OPT | ON | OPT | ON | ON | OPT | ON | ON | OFF | ON | OFF | OPT | OFF | ON | OPT |