1. What is Co-op?
Co-op is short for "cooperative education." In co-op programs, schools partner with companies in industry to allow students to get valuable work experience while working towards their degree. Students have the chance to become comfortable in a working environment, and return to develop a stronger bond with a company, as opposed to internships in which students spend a short amount of time with a company and return to school. Co-op students will spend anywhere from 3-5 semesters working with the same company, developing professionally and academically.
2. What are the benefits of Co-op?
Students will gain valuable work experience, making them highly desirable upon graduation for full-time placements. The chance to understand how theory applies in the work place will further enhance your education. To make sure students get the most for their time, Regal Beloit utilizes a mentor-mentoree relationship with a full-time employee, in which the student will have the opportunity to apply engineering theory to “real-life” engineering application, learn safe work practices, and develop professionally.
3. How do I know if I am eligible?
Minimum requirements for co-oping at Regal Beloit include the following:
- Attendance at an accredited college or university pursuing a Bachelors degree
- 3.0 or better grade point average (on a 4.0 scale)
- Completion of 30 credit hours or more
- Enrollment in the University's Cooperative Education Program
4.What type of work schedule would I have?
Our Co-op program is a rotational program for engineering majors and a parallel program for business majors.
Engineering majors are expected to complete at least 2-3 rotations working full-time (40 hours/week) and rotating between work and school every other future semester.
Engineering co-ops also have the opportunity to rotate between different locations within Regal Beloit such as Grafton, WI and Wausau, WI.
Business majors are expected to complete 4-6 semesters working part-time (24 hours/week) during the school semester and full-time (40 hours/week) during the summer semester
5.Will I receive a relocation stipend or assistance finding housing?
Regal Beloit is dedicated to providing the best co-op experience possible. In order to assist you, Regal Beloit will help you by providing financial support in the form of co-op allowances and reimbursements upon qualification.
Moving Compensation
As a co-op, you will automatically receive a one-time, round trip mileage reimbursement to assist you in your move to the Fort Wayne area. This reimbursement is calculated on the distance in miles from your university to the Regal Beloit location of your assignment.
Mileage reimbursement is based on the current corporate mileage rate. Mileage distance is determined using MapQuest.
* Certain exceptions may apply.
Co-op Housing Allowance
Regal-Beloit will also assist you with living expenses for those who qualify.
6.What would be my start date? My tentative end date?
Start and end dates are coordinated with your school calendar. Typical work periods are the beginning of January until the beginning of May, the beginning of May until the middle of August and the middle of August until the beginning of January.
7.Will there be an orientation or training period when I begin working?
A broad orientation will be conducted on the first day. All new coops will be in attendance, so it is a good time to get acquainted with everyone. The orientation will cover general company policies and procedures such as safety, emergency procedures, and business conduct. A tour of the facility will then follow. At that time, all coops will be introduced to their working area where they will start training for their new position. They will get hands on training from the current coop in that position. Training will last approximately one week, which enables a more thorough understanding for the new assignment.
8.What are the prospects for full time employment upon graduation?
All candidates will be evaluated individually for full-time employment upon graduation from the co-op program. However, many co-op graduates are hired on for full-time employment after performing well in their co-op positions.
9.What type of responsibilities will I have as a co-op?
Responsibilities vary enormously by position and experience with the company. New engineering co-ops will begin by becoming familiar with the fundamentals of motors, doing product testing, building motors, and analyzing data. With each added work semester, employees will be given additional responsibilities and tasks. While all employees must perform menial tasks occasionally, co-ops will not be subject to trivial jobs frequently.
10.Will Regal Beloit pay for my university co-op fees?
Regal-Beloit will reimburse you for your university co-op fees, which will be reimbursed after successfully completing three co-op sessions with the company, and each session thereafter.
* Need verification from Bursars Office that fees are not being reimbursed through a different program (university, scholarship, grant)
* Certain exceptions may apply.
11. How do I get started?
To apply for the Regal Beloit Electric Motors co-op program please make sure you meet all requirements and then e-mail your resume to coop.info@regalbeloit.com or contact Human Resources for more information 260-416-5684.
