Co-op cooperative education courses in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø are a system developed for students looking for work experience in the undergraduate or graduate program curriculum.
Taking co-op courses allows students to earn degrees while working and studying at the same time. In addition, it helps them gain practical work experience in areas that complement their strengths, interests, and educational needs.
Undergraduate co-op courses last five years, while graduate co-ops last two to three years.
A few quick facts about co-op programs:
- Participating in a co-op program in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø allows you to explore every corner of your dream job and make an informed decision before locking into your first real job.
- When you land a co-op position, you’ll begin your work term in an entry-level position with managers and supervisors supporting you.
- The difference between a co-op program and an internship is that co-ops are joint ventures between a university, employer, and student, while internships are between a student and their employer.
- Internships allow students to attend semesters without sacrificing their full-time employment, while co-ops allow students to work full-time during tenure decisions.
- In ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, the average co-op student salary is $40,667 annually or $20.86 per hour.
Here are the best Co-Op Programs in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø:
University of Waterloo
Co-op students at Waterloo work for various employers, including small startups, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and some of the world’s largest corporations. The majority of students work in the Waterloo area, the Greater Toronto Area, and throughout Ontario, but they are also able to work across the country and worldwide.
You can explore different careers to see what you’re good at, what problems you want to solve, and what you enjoy. As a bonus, you’ll learn how to ace job interviews and make contacts before you begin your career.
Some sample co-op jobs include Apple, Big Brother Big Sisters of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, Facebook, Google, Canadian Cancer Society, Microsoft ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, Harvard Medical School, and more.
Having a co-op at Waterloo is a great way to gain real-life work experience, see how your degree applies to real-life problems, and earn money.
Wilfrid Laurier University
Laurier University has the largest co-op program for business degrees in ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø and the first of its kind in the province. Laurier’s Strategic Academic Plan includes experiential learning as part of Teaching and Learning. Experience-based learning involves gaining knowledge, developing skills, clarifying values, and increasing self-awareness through experiences and reflections.
Arts, business, economics, and science programs enroll more than 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students.
The Department of Cooperative Education approves each work term in collaboration with the employer as a suitable learning environment for a productive learning experience. The co-op coordinators and Fundamentals of Co-operative Education course support your career planning, job search, and interview preparation efforts.
University of Victoria
With the help of Victoria’s Co-op program and Career Services, students achieve personal goals, excel in their chosen field, and contribute to the community and society.
75% of students who participate in co-op programs get job offers before they graduate, earning an average of $2,900CAD a month. Students earn 4.5 units of credit for each co-op work term, and these credits apply toward the co-op designation.
Required co-op programs in the business field are Commerce, Master in Management, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Global Business.
The engineering field requires co-op work in Biomedical Engineering, Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Computer Engineering.
Optional co-op programs in the field of Education include Master of Education, Leadership Studies, Curriculum and Instruction, and Counselling Psychology.
In Fine Arts, you can take Art History and Visual Studies, Visual Arts, Music, Writing, and Theatre as optional co-op programs.
University of British Columbia
UBC’s co-op program helps its students build impressive resumes while gaining new skills and cultivating professional work experience. The co-op program offers students carefully chosen job opportunities, some of which are exclusive only to co-op students. Students can gain an edge in the competitive job market by gaining relevant work experience after graduation.
You’ll build a network of valuable contacts for employment and lasting relationships by connecting with vetted employers interested in mentorship and support. UBC’s career development staff provides personalized guidance, including application reviews, interview preparation, and support during your work terms.
During co-op terms, students can benefit from invaluable professional and personal growth while experiencing new places and cultures across ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø and worldwide.
Some types of work you can find by discipline are Marketing and Communications, Archives and Records, Policy Analysis and Design, Event Planning, and Public and Client Engagement in Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
University of Toronto
Through Career Learning Network, Toronto students and recent graduates can benefit from first-class skills and knowledge through professional collaborations. They will pursue experiential learning programs, network with potential employers, and participate in recruitment events, alums, faculty, and staff.
As a student, you can access over 50 Co-op programs in the arts, science, and management disciplines. You will make strong connections between work experience and academic studies and learn directly from industry experts. Each year, 1,500 co-op students are hired locally or internationally by companies such as Microsoft, Ernst & Young LLP, the Art Gallery of Ontario, hospitals, or government ministries.
Students can also collaborate globally through the International Development Studies Co-op program, one of the country’s longest-running programs.
Some co-op sample employers include Apple, BMW ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, Google, Hershey, Tesla, Visa, Microsoft, Cancer Care Ontario, Hydro One, Samsung, Shopify, and more.
Concordia University
With Concordia’s University co-op program, students enhance their career skills through practical sessions and take advantage of networking and mentoring opportunities.
Depending on their program, co-op students may gain between 4 and 16 months of employment experience related to their academic program, giving them an advantage in a competitive job market.
Students participating in Concordia’s co-op program earn income while on work terms, perfect their job-hunting skills and build networks, mentor other students, and develop skills such as time management and interpersonal skills.
In addition to improving academic performance, Co-op students are more likely to find better jobs after graduation and advance in their careers more rapidly.
Co-op options include jobs in Accountancy, Marketing, Human Resource Management, International Business, Computer Science, Finance, Political Science, Physics, Social Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, and more.
