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, you can explore new career areas as your academic interests grow.
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-op programs, you'll complete 4 to 6 paid 4-month or 8-month work terms over the course of your degree studies.
Prior to your first work term, you'll take 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 – 4,500 co-op employers worldwide – that's about 2,000 more than the next largest co-op program
- $30,000 - $75,000 – potential co-op earnings by graduation
- $189 million – last year's co-op students' total approximate earnings
- 16,500 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
- 93.5% – co-op student employment rate for 2011-12
