Pros
Great company to work for. Approximately 200 Co-Ops are hired per year with the expectation to learn how to work in a professional environment and gain experience in their area of profession. Health care coverage is offered for Co-Ops and Co-ops may also take full advantage of trainings and certifications (Continuous Improvement - Yellow Belt) as employees
Cons
Co-ops that are relatives (mainly the children) of the employees get the better Co-op assignments that offer the most development. Everyone else has to get in where they fit it. Many of the Co-op opportunities are not really Co-ops. The departments many times have openings for Co-ops but nothing for them to do They are committed to the opening but not the development of the student. A lot of time to do your homework or take advantage of company training. But Beware. If you work in an area where a leader is not happy their child didn't make the cut. Don't look to be supported. Also be careful about making mistakes. If you operate from various locations, or report to different leaders; make sure to communicate to each leader so no one will question your time. If you do take advantage of company training make sure your leader supports you in that endeavor otherwise you will be stereotyped as "trying to act too much like an employee". Last make sure to have bi-weekly feedback sessions with your leader to stay on top of your performance. If you are rating a Meets Many that's equivalent to being a "Poor Performer". When they process your end of assignment paper work, you will be marked "ineligible for rehire". This tag stays on your record FOREVER and means you can NEVER come back and work for DTE in any capacity.! So BEWARE they PUNISH Co-ops not develop them.