Preparing students for co-op work terms

All co-op students are required to take a mandatory co-op preparation course, taught by co-op coordinators and career services professionals, that covers topics such as career exploration, resume writing, interviewing skills, and professional etiquette in the workplace. Students are also encouraged to take advantage of University wide activities, including workshops, networking sessions, daily drop-in hours and individual one-one career advising. In addition, academic departments offer experiential learning opportunities to help you build your professional skills in preparation for co-op.

Students prepare for co-op by following these key steps before starting their first work assignment:

1. Enroll in the required co-op prep course (one semester, mandatory).
2. Meet and schedule appointments with their assigned co-op coordinator (based on major).
3. Practice  job search techniques and interviewing skills.
4. Obtain job referrals and references from their networks.
5. Attend networking events and campus Career Fairs.
6. Join student clubs and information sessions for global and domestic networking opportunities.
7. Research firms/companies/organizations, prepare for and complete required Co-op class assignments.

Once the student has completed the co-op preparation course, he or she will begin working with their co-op coordinator, meeting individually with him/her to review appropriate positions and apply for jobs that are of interest to the student and for which the student is qualified. Similar to any job search, the employers review resumes and select students for interviews. Employers (not the co-op coordinator) make the final hiring decision.