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Cooperative Work Experience
Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) is an internship program at Clackamas Community College that builds a bridge from college to career. Students can earn college credit while gaining valuable on-the-job training for career success.
- Students work 30 hours per college credit.
- Students can opt to work full time or part time in positions related to their college programs.
- Students participate in a seminar to support job success and are evaluated on performance at the end of the term.
- CWE is required for all professional/technical programs and can be a part of many transfer degree programs at Clackamas Community College.
Cooperative Work Experience for Employers
Employing CWE students gives you a direct link to skilled workers prior to entering the workforce. Your investment of time can be rewarded with great, hardworking students.
Together, you’ll create an agreement that spells out the students' start/end dates, work hours, duties, wage (if paid), expectations and accomplishments.
For more information about hiring a CWE student, check out our CWE employer guide.
Employers’ Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits to CWE employers include a direct link to skilled workers prior to their entering the workforce, investment of time and energy into maintaining skills/expectations within your industry sector, and opportunity to inspire students to join your profession.
To indicate your interest in hosting a CWE student, send a description to cwe@clackamas.edu. The following details are helpful to include:
- A list of key duties and responsibilities
- Hours and days required; or state flexibility in work days and works times
- State if you require a resume or application
- Include a brief description of your company
- Contact information and work site address
We will forward the description to the appropriate department. The CWE Instructor/Faculty will contact you directly to review the information.
Many CWE employers pay students for their work; however, this is negotiated between the employer and the student. There is no required cost associated with hosting a CWE student.
Students receive CWE credits based on how many hours they work. Students are expected to work approximately 30-50 hours for each credit. The specific number of hours worked per week will depend on the student and program.
- CWE is a credit-bearing work experience and partnership between employer, instructor and the student.
- Internship is an employer-led work experience opportunity for the student to gain skills and experience, and can be for credit or not for credit. For more information on developing an internship, see the Employer Guide to Internships.
Cooperative Work Experience for students
Put your education to work! The Cooperative Work Experience (CWE) program enables you to earn college credit while gaining on-the-job experience.
Meet with CWE Instructor
Meet with the CWE Instructor from your department at least one to two terms before you plan to take your CWE class and learn about CWE requirements for your program.
Prepare Resume and Cover Letter
Update your resume and cover letter. Visit the Career Center for help creating or updating your resume/cover letter. Contact careercenter@clackamas.edu or 503-594-6001.
Find a CWE Site
Search for a site with assistance from your CWE Instructor. If you have a job related to your program of study, you might be able to use this as your CWE site with approval from your CWE Instructor. You must have a site approved by your CWE Instructor before Step 4.
Complete CWE Application and Wait for Instructor Response
Once you have a CWE site, complete the CWE Application. Your instructor will respond with approval to register.
Register
Register for the CWE course and seminar.
Note: All CWE courses have a required co-requisite course, CWE Seminar (CWE-281). You must complete this course during the term(s) you are enrolled in CWE.
Complete Paperwork and Begin Work
Get signatures on required forms and submit to your CWE Instructor. Download the Agreement, Learning Outcomes and Timesheet.
CWE student information
Required forms for students
Roles and Responsibilities for CWE
Employers
- Interview and hire students
- Sign the agreement
- Approve student learning outcomes
- Develop a work schedule
- Provide time to orient, train and give feedback to students
- Periodically review progress with students
- Meet twice during the term with the student and instructor at your worksite
- Evaluate student's performance at the end of the term
- Evaluate the CWE program
Students
- Meet with an advisor and your CWE program instructor
- Complete a CWE application
- Submit resume and interview with employer
- Register for appropriate CWE course and a CWE seminar
- Develop learning outcomes and complete the work agreement
- Complete job assignments
- Work required hours for the number of credits enrolled
- Collaborate with instructor and employer
CWE Program Instructors
- Approve worksite and instructor consent to enroll in the course
- Assist students in developing learning objectives and completing the agreement
- Review progress with employer and student at the worksite mid-term
- Maintain records of students participating in CWE
- Meet with employer and student to grade student's performance at end of term
- Calculate final grades based on employer and seminar instructor feedback
- Assist employers with forms and questions as needed