It's the age-old dilemma: how do you impress an employer without work experience, and how do you get experience if you're not employed?

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) - Paid "Co-op" Employment

The knowledge that students have gained in the classroom can only be useful if it is applied in real world situations. "Co-op" employments (Curricular Practical Training - CPT), which integrate theory learned in the classroom with practical application in the real business and professional environment, will help students develop the “hands-on” skills on the job, provide them with an opportunity to explore many career options, interests and abilities, contribute to the development of personal and professional maturity and ethics. This "co-op" program is uniquely designed for international students to combine knowledge learned in the classroom setting with knowledge acquired from "hands-on" practical work experience in some American companies and organizations, consequently, brings classroom instruction to a new level of understanding. Meanwhile, the "co-op" employment can help international students finance their education. All net income can be kept by the students and used for their educational purposes in the US.

Louisville, Kentucky

The average earning through the "co-op" employment is estimated at about $15,000 - $20,000 per year or more, depending on the English ability and job skills of individual students. While most students start from the entry-level jobs ($8-$9 per hour), those students with more skills may have higher income. Students will be placed in some entry level positions initially, then, students are expected to switch to higher ($12 or more) level administration positions in the workplace. Students are always allowed and encouraged to find their own business internship companies and negotiate their salary with hiring managers directly, in addition that the university will provide "co-op" job placement.

Classes are offered in the selected evenings and weekends, international students can work at day time, evenings and weekends and take the class in the evening or weekend or on-line combination to accommodate the study schedule of individuals.

The university will do everything it can to help you find the best interview opportunities, but student's initiative can expedite this process. That means each student is encouraged to identify job locations, preparing for interviews, performing well on the job, and drawing on your workplace and classroom learning to sharpen your professional and academic goals.