Seeking an internship after having a full-time position at the same company?

Question

Would it be appropriate to apply for a co-op/internship after I had previously worked at a company as a regular, full-time employee?

After high school, I worked as a software developer without going to university.

During my mid 20s, I became increasingly drawn towards Computer Science theory. I'm currently 27 and in my first year of university with the intent of earning a PhD to become a professor.

My university program requires computer science students to obtain multiple co-ops as a prerequisite to earning the BS in computer science, and actively courts relationships with many companies. But one of them I have previously worked at for 18 months as a regular, full-time employee, 2-3 years ago.

Could I apply for a co-op at said company, or would that be inappropriate/awkward? It's one of the more prestigious companies that partners with my university, and I feel I'm hamstringing myself if I specifically don't apply for a co-op there, but it does not necessarily have to be in the same department/area I worked in.

Answer 1

Could I apply for a co-op at said company, or would that be inappropriate/awkward? It's one of the more prestigious companies that partners with my university, and I feel I'm hamstringing myself if I specifically don't apply for a co-op there.

If this company normally hires co-op students who wouldn't be candidates to actually work there, then it makes complete sense for you to apply.

Presumably you left on good terms. Most likely they would be happy to have you back.

Some companies bring in co-ops as a way to source good talent. If that is the case at this company, they may prefer someone else. But you'll only know by applying - what have you got to lose?

Answer 2

In a few companies that I've previously worked at, this wouldn't be allowed.

The reason is that if you were a full-time employee (FTE) when you left, if/when you return, you would retain the same employee rank/grade as when you left.

To clarify that, if you were an FTE of type assistant vice president when you left, when you come back you would still be considered an assistant vice president. You could apply for a position of vice president and come back with a higher grade but you couldn't move down into lower grade such as officer.

I don't know why this is, it might have something to do with the particular HR system. Also, it may just apply to the industry I worked in (finance). I've worked for several very large companies so smaller companies might not function the same way.

The best thing to do would be to contact someone at the HR department and simply ask them if you could return as an intern. If they liked you and wanted you back, they can do whatever they want to make it happen. You might also want to apply for co-ops at different companies, too. You'd get a different perspective and probably pick-up some different skills that could work to your advantage (not to mention you would also meet many different people, thereby increasing your future job network).