THE COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

ONLINE ORIENTATION

FOR US CITIZEN AND GREEN CARD HOLDER

STUDENTS

SAIC’s Cooperative Education Internship program (Co-op) is committed to providing degree-seeking students the opportunity to extend their education beyond the classroom by working in professional arts-related environments while earning course credit. The Co-op program fosters the effective use of experience as an integral part of an arts education.

SAIC students are able to enrich their own artistic practices and strengthen their professional skills and engage with various fields in the arts.

THE COOPERATIVE EDUCATION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The Co-op Program is part of The Career + Co-op Center

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We are located at 112 S. Michigan Ave, 14th Floor

Phone: 312.499.4130Email: careers@saic.eduor stop our office M-F, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

visit our site for information on our servicessaic.edu/careers

Find out up-to-date Co-op information, photos, how-to-guides, job leads on our social media

@saiccareers

facebook.com/saic.careers

Instructions for the Co-op Online Orientation

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Read the following information for the Co-op Education Internship Program. (Take notes if necessary!)

Once you have completed the orientation, please complete the questionnaire. Make sure you answer all of the questions.

After submitting your questionnaire, you will be sent an email with a student application and internship categories. This application must be submitted via email at careers@saic.edu, or in person to the Co-op Office, 112 S Michigan, 14th Floor.

You can schedule an appointment online or at the office to meet with an advisor. Be sure to bring your resume, cover letter and portfolio to the appointment.

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What is Co-op?

What are the requirements?

International Student Information

What can Co-op do for you?

Today, we’ll answerthese questions:

Wh

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Co-op is a class where students earn course credit and tuition is charged. Most students earn 3 credits per semester for completing 210 work hours at their Co-op internship. All Co-op candidates must be degree-seeking students at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Note: Students on academic probation are not eligible to participate.

For undergraduates, Co-op is one option to satisfy the 6 credit off-campus study requirement. Students can participate in Co-op during the fall, spring and summer semesters.

Co-op provides students with real world experience, confirms and refines career objectives, and creates an employment history as well as references needed for future professional endeavors.

The Cooperative Education Internship Program provides sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students the opportunity to extend their education beyond the classroom.

Resume & PortfolioS

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Format your resumeFor pointers on resumes and cover letters, check out the toolkit guide under Resources & Guides on our site

or stop in for walk-in advising M-F, 12-1pm.

Prepare your portfolioDocument your work. Take photographs, scan prints, create reel clips, collect writing samples; whatever it

takes to show what you do well.

StreamlineMake sure you edit your resume and portfolio to show relevant and current experience only. Resumes should be one page and portfolios should never include more than 10-15 examples of your most recent and

best work.

These are tools that are integral to the Co-op Program and your future professional development.

Meet with a Career + Co-op Staff Advisor

During your appointment, we will:

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After completing the Co-op Orientation and submitting your ap-plication, you can schedule an appointment to meet with a Co-op Staff Advisor or Faculty Advisor.

Appointments are generally scheduled one to two months before a semester begins. Please bring a copy of your resume and portfolio to the appointment. Digital versions accepted.

Review your resume and portfolio, and give you pointers for improvement.

Discuss your work and goals.

Assess your skills and interests to find a good match for you amongst our many Co-op Employers.

Provide you with internship position descriptions and contact information.

Fall 2015 Faculty Advisors

John HenleyTheater, Performance, Painting/Drawing, Sculpture, Gallery

Josh RiosVideo, Writing, Photo, Sound, Drawing, Performance, Gallery, VisCom

Karolina GnatowskiFiber/Material Studies, Painting, Photo, Gallery

Check our online calendar for available appointments with our Co-op Faculty Advisors before the start of each semester. We recommend scheduling an appointment with a faculty advisor matching your areas of interest or study.

John Paul MorabitoFibers and Material Studies, Gallery, Sculpture

Lee BlalockPerformance, Video, Sound, Programming, Electronics, Drawing, Art and Tech,

Applying & Interviewing

When Applying

Research employers on the web

Visit their public access space (ie. studio, gallery, etc.)

Follow application instructions

If necessary, tailor your cover letter for each separate application

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Prepare interview questions

Be on Time

Dress to Impress

Bring extra resume copies

When Interviewing

Prioritize! After the meeting, read through all the internship descriptions and choose those that interest you the most. Put them on the top of your list and apply to those first. If you need more internship leads, email your advisor or schedule an appointment.

The Offer

Out of Chicago? Call the Co-op Office to discuss registration options.

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Once you have accepted an offer and discussed your schedule with your employer, you must return to the Co-op Office to register before you begin your internship. Co-op add/drop deadlines are one week after the regular deadline.

•Faculty Advisor Packet •Co-op Student Work Authorization & tax forms (if applicable) •CPT Authorization Form (F1 international students only)

Note: Do not accept an internship position unless you are sure that it is the one you want. It is okay to ask the employer for a few days to think over the offer. You do not want to go back on a commitment you already made with an employer; this can be damaging to future internships for other SAIC students.

When registering, you sign an add/drop form and receive program requirement information including:

“[Co-op] really made me realize my strengths. [...] My confidence as an artist

has increased immensely due to this mentorship.”

Libby O. Artist’s Assistant, Anne Wilson

Course credit is based on five requirements:

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•Work hours completed (signed timesheet)

•An online evaluation

•A professional project

•Attendance at two seminars (initial and final)

•Resume (updated including your Co-op Internship

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Examples:

The Professional Project should bridge the gap between your Co-op internship work experience and your own artistic practice. These projects are meant to be a professional development tool, not just a “busy-work” assignment.

The manifestations of the projects vary; some students prefer to write formally, while others create objects. Projects range from paintings, photos, artist books, exhibition proposals, drawings, to professional presentations, etc. You are encouraged to create a project that you can incorporate into your existing portfolio.

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Initial Seminar:

You are introduced to your Faculty Advisor and to other students who will share the same Advisor. As a group you will discuss your internship goals.

Individual Midterm Meeting:

You will be given the opportunity to report on the merits of your Co-op experience, examine your future career goals and talk about the status of your professional project.

Site Visits:

If local, your Faculty Advisor visits you on the job, and meets informally with you and your supervisor. You are expected to arrange a time when you, your employer and Faculty Advisor can meet for this visit.

Final Seminar:

Expect to report on the merits of your Co-op experience and examine your future career goals. You are required to bring your professional project accompanied by a short presentation, as well as turn in your updated resume, timesheet and evaluation forms.

When you register, you will be assigned a Co-op Faculty Advisor, who will guide you through your Co-op internship experience, offer career advice and problem-solving techniques. Your Advisor is responsible for awarding course credit for your Co-op experience, and also acts as a liaison between your Co-op employer and the Co-op Program.

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are translated into their fine art and design practices, engaging with the challenges of the real world and the conceptualization of experience and learning in the arts.

By stressing the importance of mentored internships with both students and employers, the Co-op program fosters internship experiences that will cultivate professional practice and critical leadership skills for students.

“This Co-op has shown me how much I want to be in the fashion business!”Ashley N., Showroom Assistant, Fiesty Kitten

Internship Categories include:

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AnimationArt DirectionArt TherapyArts AdministrationArts EducationArt Object AuthenticationBusiness AdministrationCeramicsCollections ManagementCommunity ServiceCuratorialDesigned ObjectsDevelopmentFashionFiberFilmFilm/Video Post-ProductionFilm/Video ProductionGallery

GlassGraphic DesignHistoric PreservationInstallation IllustrationInterior Architecture & ArchitectureJewelry DesignMotion Graphics/Multi-MediaPaintingPerformancePhotographyPrintmakingPublic Relations/MarketingRestoration/ ConservationSculptureSound Theatre ArtsVisual DisplayWeb Design

Co-op offers more than 700 internship positions every semester in a wide variety of fields. Each internship is given a category that will allow the Co-op Advisors to create a tailored search based on your skills and interests. Internships are generally completed in Chicago, however it is possible to complete an internship outside of Chicago during the summer term.

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Here is a short list of artists, arts organizations and companies that list internships with the Co-op Program.

Adler Planetarium Chicago Humanities Festival HootenannyAlarm Press Chicago Reader Hyde Park Art CenterAnne Wilson, Fiber Artist Chicago Tribune James Prinz PhotographyAnthony Michael Christie’s Chicago John G. Shedd AquariumAnthropologie Christopher Sullivan Knoll TextilesArchimedia Workshop City of Chicago Landmarks IlinoisArt Equity Group Congress for New Urbanism Lill Street Art CenterArt Institute of Chicago Defibrillator Gallery Museum of Contemporary ArtArts of Life Digital Kitchen Music Box FilmsAspect Ratio Gallery Donna Karan, NY Odd MachineBallet Chicago Elmhurst Art Museum Perkins + WillBCBG Max Azria Esperanza Community Ralph LaurenCarus Publishing Company Expo Chicago Redmoon TheaterChicago Artists’ Coalition Fferrone Design Skidmore, Ownings & Merrill Chicago Children’s Museum Field Museum Thomas Masters GalleryChicago Jazz Philharmonic Gensler Zoka Zola, LLCChicago History Museum Goodman Theater And many more…

a salary paid by the employer

a Federal Work Study Program° wage1

no salary*

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Co-op is a course. Therefore, it is important to understand that your internship is an experiential learning opportunity, and serves as an extension of your classroom learning. While we understand students’ financial needs, monetary gain is not the primary focus of the program. However, we attempt to obtain compensation for every student whenever possible.

°The Federal Work Study Program (FWS): (1) requires the employer be a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization, and (2) will use the earning eligibility awarded in your financial aid package. NOTE: If need-based earning eligibility was not awarded to you and you accept an internship with a participating not-for-profit organization, institutional earning eligibility funds may be made available solely for your Co-op authorized earnings.

1FWS wages are pre-set by the School at an hourly rate of $9.00 for undergraduates and $9.50 for graduate students.

1If you are paid through FWS, appropriate paperwork will be issued by a Co-op Staff member. You will then be able to earn a bi-weekly paycheck from SAIC. This will be further explained should an FWS position be secured.

*Note: While the majority of our internships are unpaid, many Co-op Employers provide perks, from free lunches to sample merchandise.

There are 3 different scenarios:

“It was a pleasure to work with Natalie this semester. Not only was she a huge asset to myself and Jess LC but she was genuinely engaged throughout the internship […] I feel like Jess LC is better because she been a part of it.” –Jess LC Natalie D., Jewelry Design AssistantIn

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sThe Co-op Program continuously evaluates student and employer experiences, needs and rewards. Coupled with the open dialogue between Co-op Staff / Faculty and Co-op Students/Employers, we strive to strengthen the long-term bonds between SAIC, students, alumni and the larger arts community.

“I was beyond happy with Anna’s performance. She exceeded my expectations of what a research assistant could do for me. I am going to encourage my colleagues to also place research internships with the Co-op and I am very much looking forward to writing a wonderful and well-deserved acknowledgment to Anna’s rich and tireless efforts on behalf of the book when it is published.” –Kymberly Pinder, Ph.D. Anna K., Research Assistant

“If a communications or marketing role became available at IAA, I would hire Divya in a heartbeat.” –Illinois Arts Alliance Foundation Divya M., Communications Assistant

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“I learned to look at the bigger picture of preservation and made various contacts. The experience made me determined to help develop the preservation program in my home country.”

Tianyi J. Endangered Building Researcher: Landmark Illinois

“It has given me a glimpse into the world of scientific illustrators and what directions I may need to take in order to find a career my skills are best suited for.”

Andria N.Bird Collections Assistant: The Field Museum

“This internship has given me insight into the publishing process of art books, which has been fascinating. I am primarily a studio artist, but working with Debra has made me view my interests in writing and art history as a possible career.”

Dylan R. Research Assistant: Debra Mancoff, Ph.D.