What are Co-op Work Experience Programs
It’s advertised, marketed and promoted – Canadian universities and colleges are big on paid Co-op work experience programs. They toot it as one of the advantages when you talk to their recruiters. So, what is Co-op work experience program really?
Co-op Work Experience Defined
Let’s take it from the experts:
“Cooperative Education combines learning in the classroom with learning on the job. Students complete a total of 12 months of work experience before graduation.”
The University of Waterloo defines cooperative education as -
“Co-op lets you explore careers and gain paid work experience while earning your university degree. As a co-op student at Waterloo, you’ll normally alternate between four months in school and four months as a full-time employee of the organization you’re working for. Waterloo’s co-op program is an amazing way to learn to successfully interview for jobs, see how your degree relates to real-life problems, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience – and make money!”
And when I say experts, that is what they are for the University of Alberta and Waterloo are ranked among those that offer the top 5 co-op work experience programs in the country.
What are the Benefits?
A Co-op Work Experience program adds an extra term or even one year to your total years of education. So why bother taking one? What is the advantage to take a co-op work program? Why not just finish up your course work early and go out and get a job?
It allows you to test drive your career – do you really like doing this? Doing the practical is far different than learning it in class. Maybe you find out you don’t like working in the lab, but you love working in the business office of a laboratory. You learn your niche in the industry while you are still in school.
You develop an evidence-based resume to support an employment application once you graduate. With all those work terms and experience, some employer will want you
You build a network of prospective employers and referees for future employment
Work experience is stated on your transcripts.
And you earn great pay. You can earn anywhere from $9000 to $18,000 CAD per 4-month work term. That will help cover your living costs and maybe even some of your tuition, depending on salary received. For example, students are paid by an employer and paid at the going rate of the position held. UAlberta Faculty of Arts students average salary is $21/hr as compared to the minimum wage of $15/hr.
What do you Learn?
What is the learning advantage? What can you learn up and above what you learn from your lectures and textbooks?
You learn the practical application of the theory you are learning. And you learn it well. Practice makes perfect and hands-on learning helps you grasp those hard to grasp in-class concepts.
You learn professional skills through the workshops and support from the college or university to hone up on your resume, employment cover letter and interviews
You learn and develop marketable skills (soft skills) necessary for working in the marketplace.
How do you Join?
Some universities have it optional and you pay a small amount for the term. This is true with Business at the University of Alberta and Trent University. But other universities such as the University Waterloo, you can choose the Co-op option from the very beginning. So you will either choose the Co-op option when you apply for university or college or you will make that decision and choose it during your 2nd year.
While I have only mentioned a few Co-op Work Experience programs at some of Canada’s finest universities, all universities and colleges in Canada will have at least one Co-op Work Experience Program for students to participate in. UNBC, MacEwan, Manitoba, Windsor and UNB are just a few of the universities in a long list of universities and colleges that offer a work term. Douglas, NIC, Durham and Seneca are just a few of the colleges that offer a work term. In fact colleges are more prone to work terms than universities as they are industry focused and work closely with industry to make students work ready when they graduate.
Therefore, when you are looking for a Canadian university or colleges, check out their Co-op Work Experience programs and/or Internships. For more details and how to be part of a Co-op program, make sure to contact us for details and assistance.