A college degree is just the starting point in today’s competitive job market. Employers are increasingly looking for graduates who have not only strong academic knowledge but also real-world, hands-on experience.
This is where college work experience options like internships and co-ops come in. Both are opportunities to apply your classroom learning, build your resume, and make valuable professional connections. But while the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they aren’t the same thing.
Understanding the difference between an internship and a co-op is key to choosing the path that best fits your academic schedule, financial needs, and career goals. At Remitly, we want to empower you to make the best decisions for your future.
This guide will provide a deep dive into internships vs. co-ops, explaining what each entails, their pros and cons, and how you can choose the right experience to launch your career.
What is an internship?
An internship is one of the most well-known forms of pre-professional work experience. It’s designed to give students and recent graduates a taste of a particular industry or job function.
The core purpose
Internships are a chance for you to “test drive” a career field to see if it’s a good fit for you before you fully commit. You get to see the day-to-day realities of a job, learn about the company culture, and begin building a professional network. For employers, internships are a way to identify and evaluate potential future full-time hires.
Common structure and timing
Internships are typically short-term engagements that align with academic schedules. The most common format is a summer internship, which usually lasts between 8 and 12 weeks while students are on their academic break. They can be either part-time or full-time.
During the school year, part-time internships are also common, allowing students to work 10-20 hours per week while taking classes. Because of their short duration, the work assigned to interns is often introductory or focused on a specific, self-contained project.
The question of pay: paid vs unpaid internships
Internship compensation varies widely by industry. In many professional fields like tech, finance, and engineering, internships are almost always paid, and often very well. In other fields, such as non-profits, the arts, or media, unpaid internships have historically been more common. However, US labor laws have strict rules for unpaid internships; they must be primarily for the educational benefit of the intern, not for the free labor of the company.
What is a co-op?
A co-op, short for cooperative education, is a more formalized and intensive form of work experience. It’s designed to be an integral part of a student’s academic curriculum, formally integrating professional work with their studies.
The core purpose
If an internship is about exploration, a co-op is about integration. The goal of a co-op is to provide a much deeper, more immersive experience in your chosen field. Because co-ops are longer, students are often treated more like regular employees.
They are often given significant, long-term responsibilities and become fully integrated into their teams. This can allow for a more substantial learning experience and a deeper understanding of the company and industry.
The unique structure
The defining feature of a co-op in college is its structure. Instead of working during a summer break, co-op programs require students to alternate semesters of full-time academic study with semesters of full-time paid work, or spend a single, extended period on a co-op.
For example, a student might attend classes in the fall, work full-time at a company in the spring, return to classes in the summer, and so on. This model is particularly common at universities with strong engineering, technology, and business programs.
The key differences between an internship and a co-op
While both are valuable, their structure and goals are fundamentally different. Understanding these distinctions is key to deciding which is the right fit for your college journey.
Duration and timing
This is the most obvious difference. Internships are typically short-term, usually lasting one semester during the school year or a summer (2-3 months). Co-ops are long-term commitments, often lasting for multiple semesters and potentially up to a full year. The timing reflects this: internships typically fit into academic breaks, while co-ops are built into the academic calendar, replacing a semester of classes.
Pay and academic credit
Co-ops are almost always paid positions, as the student is working full-time and contributing as a regular employee. Internships can be paid or unpaid. In terms of academic credit, co-ops are often a mandatory part of a student’s degree program and therefore come with academic credit. Internships may or may not offer credit, depending on the school and the specific arrangement.
Impact on graduation timeline
Because internships are done during the summer, they don’t affect a student’s graduation timeline. A co-op, however, often extends the time it takes to graduate. Since you are taking one or more semesters off from classes to work full-time, a standard four-year bachelor’s degree program might take four and a half or five years to complete.
Depth of work and responsibility
The short duration of an internship means the work is often introductory—although this varies by field. You might be assigned to a specific project, shadow different team members, or assist with daily tasks. In a co-op, the longer duration allows you to take on more significant responsibilities. You have time to be trained, integrated into a team, and given ownership over complex, long-term projects, providing a more realistic and in-depth work experience.
A summary table
Here’s a simple breakdown of the typical differences between an internship and a co-op:
| Feature | Internship | Co-op |
| Duration | Short-term (usually 2–3 months) | Long-term (usually 3–12 months) |
| Timing | Mainly during the summer break | Often alternates with academic semesters |
| Pay | Can be paid or unpaid | Almost always paid |
| Academic credit | May or may not be for credit | Often a required part of the curriculum |
| Impact on graduation | Does not typically delay graduation | Often extends graduation timeline by a semester or year |
| Depth of work | Introductory tasks and short-term projects | In-depth, long-term projects with greater responsibility |
Co-op vs internship: Pros and cons of each model
To make an informed decision, it’s helpful to weigh the specific advantages and disadvantages of each type of work experience.
The pros and cons of an internship
Pros:
- Flexibility: You can explore different companies and industries each summer without a long-term commitment.
- No academic delay: Internships fit neatly into your existing school schedule, allowing you to graduate in four years.
- Networking: They are a great way to make initial contacts in your field.
- More accessible: There are generally more internship opportunities available than co-op positions, depending on the industry.
Cons:
- Limited depth: The short timeframe may only allow you to scratch the surface of a role or company.
- Potentially unpaid: Some industries still rely heavily on unpaid internships, which can be a significant financial barrier.
The pros and cons of a co-op
Pros:
- In-depth experience: You gain a deep, practical understanding of a job and become a true member of the team.
- Earn while you learn: Being paid for multiple full-time work semesters can greatly help with tuition costs.
- Stronger job prospects: Students who complete co-ops often have a very high rate of receiving full-time job offers from their co-op employer.
- Builds a powerful resume: A long-term co-op with significant responsibilities stands out to all employers.
Cons:
- Delays graduation: It will likely take you longer to finish your degree.
- Less flexibility: A co-op is a major commitment to one company for an extended period, leaving less room to explore other industries.
- Can be demanding: Balancing the transition between full-time work and full-time school can be challenging.
Which path is better for you?
The best choice is entirely personal and depends on your career goals, financial situation, and academic field.
Choose an internship if:
- You’re still exploring your career options and want to try out different industries or roles.
- You want the traditional four-year college experience and prefer not to delay your graduation.
- You’re in a field where short-term projects and networking are highly valued (e.g., media, marketing, politics).
Choose a co-op if:
- You’re confident in your chosen career path and want to gain deep, immersive experience.
- You’re in a technical field like engineering, IT, or (in some cases) finance or business, where co-ops are common and highly valued.
- You would benefit from the competitive income earned during the work semesters to help pay for school.
For international students in the US on a student visa like the F-1 visa, getting work experience requires specific authorization from the US government. Understanding these rules is critical.
Understanding CPT (curricular practical training)
CPT allows international students to gain work experience that is a required part of their academic program. Both paid internships and co-ops can often be authorized through CPT. The key is that the work must be directly related to your major field of study.
Understanding OPT (optional practical training)
OPT is another type of work authorization that allows international students to work for up to 12 months in a job related to their major. It can be used during your studies or, more commonly, after you graduate. Students in certain STEM fields may be eligible for a 24-month extension.
Why you must talk to your international student advisor
The rules for CPT and OPT are complex and strict. Before applying for an internship or a co-op, your first and most important step is to meet with your Designated School Official (DSO) or an advisor in your university’s international student services office. They are the experts who can confirm your eligibility, guide you through the authorization process, and ensure you maintain your legal visa status.
Conclusion
Both internships and co-ops are powerful tools for building your career long before you walk across the graduation stage. They transform your academic knowledge into practical skills, build your professional network, and give you the confidence to succeed in the job market.
There is no single “better” option between internships and co-ops; the best choice depends entirely on your personal and professional goals. An internship offers flexibility and exploration, while a co-op provides depth and immersion.
By considering your academic field, your financial needs, and how deep you want to go, you can choose the college work experience that will pave the way for a successful and fulfilling career.
FAQs
Can I do both a co-op and internships during college?
Yes, it’s often possible. For example, a student might do a traditional internship after their first or second year of college and then enter a co-op program during their third and fourth years. Or, they might complete a co-op with one company and then take an internship with a different company during a subsequent summer to gain a broader range of experience.
Will a co-op delay my graduation?
Often, yes. Because a co-op involves taking at least one semester off from academic classes to work full-time, it usually pushes your graduation date back by that same amount of time. Most students in co-op programs feel this is a worthwhile trade-off for the deep experience and income they gain.
Do internships or co-ops lead to full-time job offers?
Yes, very frequently. Both are excellent pipelines for full-time employment. They allow a company to train and evaluate a potential employee with much lower risk. Co-ops, in particular, have a very high conversion rate to full-time offers because the student is already deeply integrated into the company.
What if I can’t afford to work unpaid?
This is a very valid concern. If you’re in a field where unpaid internships are common, focus your search on paid opportunities. Expand your search to include larger companies, which are more likely to have paid programs. You can also apply for grants or stipends that are specifically designed to help students afford unpaid internships at non-profits or in public service.
Never feel pressured to take an unpaid position that would cause you financial hardship. Your experience should support—not strain—your education and future.