The Co-operative Education System
Co-operative education (Co-op) is based on the principle that an academic program combined with work experience in alternating terms, is relevant to, and desirable for, effective professional preparation. Work term employment, which varies from sector to sector and location to location (opportunities exist around the world) enables students to acquire experience in their areas of career interest, while academic terms are devoted primarily to fundamental and theoretical studies. These practical experiences and academic studies complement one another.
The Study and Work Sequence
The Co-op system requires students to alternate periods of study with periods of employment. The period of employment is called a work term and is normally four months in length. In the first year, some programs divide the incoming class into two groups: Stream 4 which has its first work term after 4 months of study and Stream 8 which has its first work term after 8 months of study. Both groups receive the same total time on campus and at work. Stream 4 has a double academic term at the end of its sequence; Stream 8 has a double academic term at the beginning of its sequence.
Co-op programs that begin in Year 2 are not defined by “stream” and their study and work sequences vary by program (See Study/Work Sequence).
Change of Study and Work Sequence
Students follow the sequence to which they have been assigned or as prescribed for their program. Deviation from the prescribed sequence requires the submission of a formal request to change it as well as approval first from the student’s Faculty and then CECS. Requests that involve work terms longer than 8 months will not normally be considered. Students may not end their academic plan with a work term.
Ordinarily, requests will be considered only if they are received no later than one month prior to the beginning of the term in which the switch will occur. The student’s academic and Co-op performance must be in good standing. A student’s academic sequence may be restricted due to a lack of availability of core or elective subjects during particular terms and this circumstance does not constitute grounds for a sequence change.
Study and Work Term Dates
The work term usually begins on the Monday of the first month of the term and ends the last Friday of the fourth month of the term. Please refer to the Calendar of Events and Academic Deadlines section of this Calendar for the suggested work term start and end dates for current and upcoming work terms. Start and end dates may vary depending on the needs of the Co-op employer so work term dates should be confirmed with the employer before the start of the work term.
Co-op students must work for the entire term and may not shorten its length. Work terms shorter than the expected 16 weeks of employment are approved by exception only. See details on Work term length in the Co-op Student Reference Manual.
Co-op Preparation - PD1/First Year Engineering Classes
PD1 is a course for all (except Engineering) Co-op students prior to their first work term. Engineering students will receive similar information as part of their First Year Engineering classes. The course helps students understand the Co-op employment process and how it fits with their career development.
Students will learn to:
- Identify where to find key information about Co-op education at UW
- Create a convincing résumé
- Use JobMine (online employment process system) to search and apply for jobs, view interview schedules, rank interviewed positions, and find out job match results
- Interview effectively
- Prepare for and succeed on the work term
Employment
The employment process is highly competitive and factors such as academic performance, skills, motivation, maturity, attitude, professional conduct, flexibility, and performance potential determine whether a student is offered employment.
Although CECS makes best efforts to find a sufficient number of work term positions for students enrolled in all Co-operative programs, the openly competitive nature of the process means that no guarantee of employment can be made.
If a student does not, for reasons beyond their control (e.g., shortage of employment in particular sectors, unexpected cancellation of posted jobs), secure employment through an interview process administered by CECS, every effort will be made to support that student's attempt to find a suitable work experience. Students are expected to work closely, and remain in regular contact, with CECS especially while searching for co-op employment.
A student who neglects to apply to a suitable quantity and variety of jobs, or who impairs an interview opportunity through unprofessional conduct, will be removed from the employment process and will not be given assistance by CECS in finding employment for the next scheduled work term.
Work term employment agreements are between the student and the employer. The University of Waterloo is not a party to these agreements and assumes no financial or legal responsibility with regard to events or actions by either party that affect the employment situation for any Co-op student (e.g., layoffs, intellectual property issues, confidentiality agreements, strikes). Students are encouraged to seek whatever professional advice and/or guidance about their agreements they feel is necessary.
The University monitors work terms and records the employer’s evaluation of the student’s performance. Every Co-op student must receive an evaluation for every work term and may not opt out of recording, or having submitted, an evaluation of his/her work term performance.
Responsibilities of CECS, Employers, and Students are detailed in the Co-op Student Reference Manual, Appendix A .
Harassment/Discrimination/Safety
If a student experiences either harassment or discrimination in a Co-op workplace, the student should contact the field co-ordinator; a harassment advisor in CECS; the Director, Conflict Management and Human Rights at UW; and/or UW Counselling Services.
Similarly, issues of safety or expectations to engage in any behaviour that may pose a risk to the student’s well-being should be brought to the attention of the field co-ordinator immediately.
Discipline and Appeals
Disciplinary action is at the discretion of CECS and/or the Faculty in which the student is enrolled. An appeal process for students (UW Policies 70 & 71) provides that disciplinary decisions made by CECS (alone or in consultation with the student’s appropriate Examinations and Standings/Promotions Committee or Faculty Associate Dean) may be reviewed or appealed at the request of the student.
Student Co-op Status
Please review the Co-op Student Reference Manual section on Co-op student status.