When you’re in a room full of American colleges and universities that specialize in co-operative education, what makes Waterloo’s co-op program stand out? At the Co-operative Education and Internship Association (CEIA) conference in Dallas, Texas, Waterloo delivered an outstanding presentation showing that it’s possible to be large and student-focused at the same time.
Attendees consisted of colleges and universities throughout the United States specializing in co-operative education, internship, and work-integrated learning. Ross Johnston, the Director of Employment Relations at Co-operative Education (CE), and Peggy Eichinger, CE Regional Manager West, gave a presentation that received rave reviews from the audience.
“The presentation was really about how we provide choice, service and customized support to our students when they go through co-op,” said Ross. The CEIA audience was shocked when they discovered the breadth and depth of Waterloo’s co-op model. In 2015, nineteen thousand students went out on work terms.
“We are just so big compared to other programs. The fact that we [have features] like Echeck-in and we triage that input to add different levels or support –it’s just very unique,” said Peggy.
North America’s next largest co-op program is offered by Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sending out just under six thousand co-op students a year. Waterloo’s record breaking winter 2016 term saw more than seven thousand students employed.
The CEIA is a non-profit organization established in 1963. A yearly conference is held to recognize the institutions that make a tremendous impact on co-operative education and work-integrated learning.
