About co-op
Overview
How co-op works
Co-op facts & figures
Overview
Waterloo's co-op program provides up to 2 years of work experience in work terms that alternate with school terms, whereas internships typically involve one year of continuous employment. Because co-op work terms alternate with study terms, classroom learning is integrated with workplace training.
Over the course of your degree, you'll have 4 to 6 work terms to try out different careers and build contacts that can lead to employment after graduation. And on average, you'll earn from $30,000 to $75,000 to help finance your education.
How co-op works
If you're admitted to one of Waterloo's co-operative education programs, you'll complete 4 to 6 paid 4-month or 8-month work terms over the course of your degree studies.
Once you've begun your studies at Waterloo, and prior to your first work term, you'll be required to take the PD 1 or equivalent for Engineering online course. This non-graded course will provide you with the basic information you'll need to be successful in the co-op process, including résumé writing, interviewing, and performing on the job.
In many respects, Waterloo's co-op program is similar to a true job-hunt process, in which you apply to and compete for jobs that interest you rather than being placed in a job.
When it comes time to find a job, you'll take part in the co-op job process, which consists of
- reading the posted job openings and applying to the jobs that interest you;
- taking part in interviews with employers who select you based on your résumé and academic/co-op record;
- ranking the interviews you had in order of preference and being ranked by the employers who interviewed you – a computerized matching system will then attempt to match you with a job;
- if you're not matched, continuing the application and interview process until you find a job;
- completing your work term, during which you'll write an analytical work report, if applicable, and take more PD courses; and
- receiving an employer performance evaluation, which will be recorded on your co-op record.
You'll receive academic credit for each co-op term you successfully complete, and in some cases, you'll receive a grade based on your employer's evaluation and your work report, if applicable.
For complete details, please read the Co-op Student Reference Manual.
Co-op facts & figures
- World's largest co-op program – 3,500 co-op employers worldwide – that's about 1,000 more than the next largest co-op program
- $30,000 - $75,000 – potential co-op earnings by graduation
- $136 million – last year's co-op students' total approximate earnings
- 14,686 undergraduate co-op students – more than twice as many as the next largest program in the world
- 4 to 6 co-op work terms by graduation
- 16 months to 2 years of work experience gained through co-op
- 93 % – co-op student employment rate for 2010-11
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