Kami Green is earning college credits while getting paid. And because her work is relevant to her studies, she gets practical experience on the job.
SLCC offers a program called Cooperative Education Services. The program is a partnership that includes employers, students, and educational institutions, to get students like green college credits for internships and work based learning.
“My instructor is great, he is reasonable to work with and easy to communicate with,” Green said.
Green is studying for an Associates in English, and enrolled in Cooperative Education. She works in a veterinary clinic in the front office. Her front office duties include billing and scheduling, and for her school duties she must complete six learning objectives at work in order to receive credit and a grade at school.
It was up to Green to approach her employer about being involved with the CO-OP. Working with her employer and a faculty member, objectives are set for her to meet for a grade and credit. Green communicates with her instructor by E-mail. She can participate in the CO-OP program for two semesters. She has met her objectives for this semester, now she has to write a paper on how she met her goals for her final. Green has to have her supervisor at work sign off that she met her goals.
Green’s goals are called industry goals, some of these goals included learning how to use new, high tech. equipment. She has learned how to use a new ultra-sound machine, and the new x-ray machines.
“It was easy to meet my goals,” Green said. “I have to do them anyway.”
Before registering for a CO-OP study related course, or internship, a student must have either an internship, or work in a study related job. Students can check with a student employment specialist to see if their current job qualifies.
Those interested should go to the employment office to pick up an approval form from a CO-OP specialist to register for the program. Students might have to take pre-requisite classes depending on their program.
Students also have to attend an orientation class. Orientations are held at each campus. Dates and times for orientations are found in the current class schedule. Orientations last from one half hour to one hour. CO-OP is considered an academic class. Students have to pay registration fees for Cooperative Education, the same as they would for any other class.
The employment office at the Taylorsville campus is located in the AD building in room AD 195. Their phone number is 801-957-4014. At the South City Campus W134 phone number 801-957-4304. At the Jordan Campus in room 164B and their number is 801-957-4218.