Posted by Joani Kay on 12/5/2017
Instructor: Jill McGee, Career Tech
mcgeej@mtnbrook.k12.al.us
Workforce Development (COOP)
There are 59 students currently enrolled in the business department’s COOP program. For the first nine weeks, these students collectively worked 5585.26 hours and received compensation totaling $46,779.22. Ten of the 59 students are in internships and do not receive any pay.
Cooperative Education provides students with the opportunity to explore a career area while earning school credit. The goal of this program is to expose students to career opportunities, increase knowledge about the world of work and to assist students in making decisions about the future. Students must work a minimum of 10 hours per week, obtain employment in an approved work environment (paid or unpaid) and complete an application process. Applications are due at the same time of registration for the 2018-2019 school year. Applications will be located on the school web site and in the front office. Students do not need to have a job or internship secure until July, 2018. Students can COOP 6 – 8th periods, 7 and 8th period, or just 8th period based on their needs.
Currently, students are placed in an array of jobs/internships including:
- Doctors
- Lawyers
- Orthodontists
- Chamber of Commerce
- Retail
- Distribution Warehouses
- Cosmetology
- Non-profits
- Dance, Gymnastics, Pilates
The possibilities are endless. Students are responsible for securing their own job/internship and the employer/mentor must agree to host a COOP student and follow the school guidelines. Senior Farley Morris states, “I enjoy learning work skills that I can use later in my future career. For two years, I have participated in the COOP program and have loved meeting new people who will help me further my career.”
