Employer Information

Hiring a co-op or internship student is an effective way to develop high quality future employees while keeping cost down.

UW-Stout's polytechnic approach allows students to bring innovative ideas, energy, and a fresh perspective to the workplace.

Our Co-op and Internship Program allows for employers to fill positions all year. Students can enroll during any term or combination of terms (Fall, Spring and Summer).

Develop a pool of qualified candidates, building a pipeline to potential professional employees with an improved employee retention.

Engagement in our Co-op and Internship Program allows organizations an opportunity to develop deep partnerships with UW-Stout. Your feedback is essential to our academic program success. Many of our Co-op and Internship hosts serve on Program Advisory Boards.

• Supervision: Students are expected to gain practical experience in their field of study and should have a supervisor who has expertise in the same or similar field.
• Hours: Hours typically vary from 10 to 40+ hours per week. Co-op students who work 32 hours or more per week will maintain full-time student status at UW-Stout.
• Location: Students are expected to work on-site.
• Classification: It is up to the employer to determine the proper classification for the student.  
• Technology/Equipment: Employers are required to provide any technology/software/equipment the student will need to perform their job.

• Provide a supervised work experience related to a program offered by UW-Stout.
• Provide a position description that reviews the student’s job responsibilities. UW-Stout professors must approve the position for credit. While the description can be brief, some specifics are very helpful.
• Communicate with your student regarding work schedules, supervision, safety regulations, appearance, personnel policies, and other procedures.
• Supervise and evaluate work performance of student (UW-Stout will send an online performance evaluation twice per semester).
• Communicate with professors and Career Services staff for purposes of evaluation and program improvement or in the case of dissatisfaction with student performance.
• Provide a safe work environment and a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.

Any position can qualify as a co-op if it meets the following criteria: co-ops must be paid, 32 or more hours per week over at least 8 weeks, totaling a minimum of 320 hours of work experience, and related to a UW-Stout major.

Any position can qualify as an internship if it meets the following three criteria: paid or unpaid, minimum of 80 hours over at least 8 weeks, and related to a UW-Stout major.

If you have questions on whether your position will qualify, please contact Career Services.

Housing arrangements are the responsibility of the student. Several employers provide assistance which may be an attractive benefit to applicants.

Students working in paid positions should have fair salaries, competitive, and commensurate with wages paid to full-time employees for similar assignments with consideration for training and experience. Optional benefits are determined by the employer. We collect student wage information by program annually. Learn more about our annual report here. You may also want to reference the U.S. Department of Labor’s Internship Program Under Fair Labor Standards Act.

Wisconsin Employers: Co-op and internship student wages are considered excluded for Unemployment Insurance purposes if the student is registered for academic credit through the University. Refer to Wisconsin State Unemployment Insurance Statute 108.02(15)j1 online or call the Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance Tax and Accounting Department at 608-261-6700.

UW-Stout strives to keep paperwork minimal for our employers. Employers will need to provide a position description upfront. Throughout the work experience, site supervisors will be asked to complete two online performance evaluations per semester (mid-term and end of term).

Yes! A legitimate employer partner, including a start-up/entrepreneurial, is defined as an operating business that has progressed sufficiently in their business development process so that they can provide:

1. Business Name & Address
2. Company website or verifiable web presence
3. Identify a key contact with e-mail address
4. Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) and State EIN (when required by the State)
5. Proper Licenses and Permits to operate (local and state level)
6. Provide supervision of student by a professional with experience

All degree-seeking international students with an F-1 Visa status are eligible for the Co-op and Internship program. The Office of International Education (OIE) at the University of Wisconsin-Stout has been granted authorization by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to issue Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for students in F-1 status. International student employees hired by an employer will provide CPT, I-20 documentation stating their eligibility for the approved work period. CPT authorizations are location and date specific. These students are not required to obtain additional or separate work authorization. International Reform and Control Act requirements apply when hiring international students. For more information, please refer to General Resources I-9 Central available online.