Cooperative Education Program

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) is the world's largest laboratory dedicated to "high energy physics" or "particle physics" research.  The basic technique of particle physics experiments is studying the results of a stream of subatomic particles, created in an accelerator, impacting at very high energy on a fixed target or another beam of subatomic particles.  The resulting particle collisions are intended to provide the scientific community with a deeper understanding of the basic building blocks of matter.

In order for the Laboratory to design and develop the equipment necessary for the operation and maintenance of such a complex facility, it needs to maintain well trained engineers.  It was out of this need that the Cooperative Education Program was born in 1978.

Originally, the Co-op Program was aimed at developing electrical and mechanical engineering students for potential careers with Fermilab upon completion of their Baccalaureate studies.  By alternating semesters of school with semesters of work, students were given the opportunity to gain valuable practical experience.  Of course, the Laboratory not only gained enthusiastic temporary employees, but also now had a mechanism for grooming future engineers!

The basic philosophy and structure have changed very little over the years, but the scope of the Program has grown tremendously.  During Fiscal Year 2006 (i.e., October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006), there were 7 students in the Fermilab Co-op Program who represented a variety of educational disciplines, including chemistry/chemical engineering, computer engineering/science, electrical engineering, environment/safety/health and mechanical engineering.  The Program remains primarily for undergraduates who have completed the equivalent of their sophomore year in college.  Students traditionally spend a total of 3-4 semesters working at the Laboratory.  The Program not only continues to provide students with the chance to be integrally involved in the development and operation of the Laboratory, but also allows for individual exploration and project work.

In considering a cooperative education employment arrangement at Fermilab, students should keep the following points in mind:

• First, registration in an approved academic cooperative education program is required for employment at Fermilab.  Therefore, students selected to participate in the Cooperative Education Program will be expected to maintain good academic standing in an undergraduate program of study and satisfactory registration with the cooperative education program office at their college/university.         
                                                   
• Second, Cooperative Education Program students must have a reliable automobile for daily commuting to-and-from work as walking, even from neighboring communities, is not practical and there is no public transportation system that comes on to the Laboratory's property.
  
  
• Third, housing (i.e., rental property) in the area is extremely expensive and short-term    lease arrangements are limited.  The Laboratory provides potential Cooperative Education candidates with materials to conduct a housing search, but the primary responsibility rests with the student.
  
  
• Fourth, the Laboratory does not pay for any costs associated with the students' movement between school and the Laboratory.  These costs can be significant when you consider that the majority of Cooperative Education Program students alternate full-time semesters (or quarters) of school with full-time semesters (or quarters) of work an average of 3 times over the course of their employment with the Laboratory.

As part of the Fermilab Co-op Program, students receive a competitive salary based on   academic credits earned and work terms completed*; medical and dental benefits; paid vacation, holidays and sick leave; overtime and shift premium; life insurance; 100% tuition reimbursement that covers the cost of required textbooks and most fees; and more.  (Certain restrictions apply.)

Fermilab is operated by Fermi Research Alliance, LLC, a consortium of major universities in the United States, Canada, Italy and Japan, for the United States Department of Energy (D.O.E.).  It is located approximately 40 miles west of downtown Chicago on 6,800 acres of land that was donated by the State of Illinois to the D.O.E. in 1967.  There are over 2,000 full-time employees including more than 500 scientists and engineers.  The Laboratory's home page on the Internet is at http://www.fnal.gov/ .

For more information about the Cooperative Education Program, please visit http://wdrs.fnal.gov/employ/ed_ops.html or contact Shelley A. Krivich, Technical Recruiter, krivich@fnal.gov, 630/840-2306 (facsimile), Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, P.O. Box 500, M.S. 116, Batavia, IL 60510-0500. 

To apply, please go to https://fermi.hodesiq.com/ and select “Cooperative Education” under “Area of Interest” then “Apply Online” within the job announcement.

(* The Co-op Program's current overall salary range is $570.00-$764.00 per 40 hour work week.)

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