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In a Times of India video, Pallavi Thapar, an international student from India, shares how the University of Waterloo helped her overcome homesickness and grow into a confident, independent learner. At 4:23 of the video, she highlights the co-op program and the Centre for Career Development (CCD) as key supports in exploring career options and gaining real-world experience.

The Sudbury Star highlights Jonathan Gbedemah, a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s Doctor of Pharmacy Co-operative Education Program, who credits his co-op clinical rotations in Sudbury for inspiring his long-term commitment to northern Ontario. After gaining hands-on experience across twenty-three pharmacies, he opened Jonathan’s Kingsway Pharmacy in Sudbury and was recently named Young Entrepreneur of the Year. His journey reflects how Waterloo’s co-op education fosters career readiness, community impact, and entrepreneurial success.

In a CACEE blog post, Jessica Lang, associate director of Undergraduate Career Services at the University of Waterloo, explores how the Employability Capital Growth Model (ECGM) can enhance career programming and partnerships. The model identifies nine areas of employability capital and emphasizes the importance of embracing equity, diversity and inclusion in career development. The University of Waterloo aligns with the ECGM through its inclusive advising, reflective practices and strong work-integrated learning partnerships to support students’ holistic growth. The result is a more personalized, equitable approach to helping students build confidence and navigate their career paths.

Work-integrated learning (WIL) has a significant contribution to education. Not only does it deepen academic understanding, but also enhances employability outcomes, fostering the exchange of knowledge between students and workplaces. Implementing the ideal environment for WIL consists of understanding stakeholders' goals and needs, creating a supportive environment, as well as navigating diverging interests. Dr. Norah McRae, associate provost of CEE, discusses with the National Skills Network, the distinction between experiential education and practical work experience, and how WIL plays a role in contributing to the broader educational framework.

In a conversation with National Skills Network, Dr. Norah McRae, associate provost of Co-operative and Experiential Education at the University of Waterloo, highlights the transformative impact of work-integrated learning (WIL) as a global solution for bridging academic theory with real-world application. Dr. McRae emphasizes WIL’s role in enhancing employability, fostering innovation and creating reciprocal value between students and employers. Drawing on Canadian and international frameworks, she shares strategies for building inclusive, high-quality WIL ecosystems.

In an HRD Talk episode, host Emily Douglas sits down with Judene Pretti, director of the Work-Learn Institute, and co-op student Maanasa Rajaguru, third-year Faculty of Arts co-op student, from the University of Waterloo to explore how employers can more effectively engage Gen Z talent. The conversation highlights Gen Z’s desire for meaningful work and a strong sense of belonging. Pretti and Rajaguru emphasize that young workers thrive when they’re treated as valued team members whose contributions align with broader organizational goals. To connect with the next generation, organizations must foster cultures centred on growth, continuous learning and purpose.

In the Ottawa Sun, Linda White explores how co-operative education programs allow students to test drive careers, highlighting the University of Waterloo’s leading role with North America’s largest co-op program. Molly Furness, career advisor with Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE), explains how this hands-on approach helps students confirm or reconsider their career goals early on. Through its Future Ready Talent Framework (FRTF), Waterloo’s co-op program allows students to develop key skills, earn income and establish professional networks, positioning them for job offers and long-term success.

SDGs at Work is a new term-based activity launched by CEE, which aims to promote student discussion of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students can then bring this learning into their workplace though work-integrated learning (WIL).

Staff loss is a struggle that many universities are facing post-pandemic. To combat this trend, leaders should focus on human-centered approaches, including recognition, professional development, and building community in the workplace.

SDG Week Canada promotes interdisciplinary engagement with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over 70 events were held across 50 campuses in Canada to advance the 17 SDGs.