WIL 601: Career Foundations for Work-Integrated Learning

WIL 601 gives you the tools you need to prepare for and engage in graduate-level Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) experiences.

The course provides you with the tools, strategies and resources to effectively prepare for your upcoming WIL experiences (co-op work terms, internships or other forms of WIL) and future career endeavours after graduation. In this course, you will practice applying career development techniques, learn industry tips from external partners and explore workplace preparation strategies to support your success. 

What will you do in WIL 601?

  • Critically reflect on your career values and goals.
  • Identify, evaluate and articulate your current skillsets and the competencies you are developing in graduate school.
  • Learn strategies for networking and the job search process, and how to cultivate meaningful career development during and after your WIL experience.
  • Connect with Centre for Career Development (CCD) advisors through synchronous sessions.

What do the assignments look like?

WIL 601 was informed through collaboration with industry partners and graduate students and includes approximately 15-20 hours of content and assessment. Course content provides practical tools and strategies that benefit both early-career and experienced professionals, helping graduate students streamline their recruitment process by packaging the tasks they will need to engage in through six structured assessments:

Assignment 1: Career Identity Statement and Career Profile

Crafting a statement and profile that effectively communicates your values, interests and skills to employers and professional connections.

Assignment 2: Skills Articulation

Identifying and articulating the skills you have (both from past professional and academic experience).

Assignment 3: Mock Interview and Reflection

Practicing what you've written in assignments one and two in an interview setting using the new integrated EdTech tool, InStage, which offers unlimited access.

Assignment 4: Workplace Safety Quiz

Ensuring an understanding of workplace rights, harassment, and discrimination.

Assignment 5: Informational Interview and Review

Practicing networking skills to gain deeper career insights and reflect on how informational interviews can support your work search process and shape career decision-making.

Assignment 6: Mapping out Learning Goals for Recruitment Term and Future WIL Experience

Determining where you'll apply and what you want to learn from your work-term.

Grading information

This course will be graded as CR/NCR (credit/no credit).

For specific details about the requirements to achieve a CR in WIL 601, please see the course outline.

If you have a question about grading in WIL 601, contact the course team.

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Student testimonials

The guidelines provided in the content is organized well and the tasks are really helpful too. For example, the section on tailoring your résumé helped me with improving the bullet points in my résumé.

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Frequently asked questions

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR WIL 601?

Graduate students in CEE-supported co-op programs and internship programs are required to take WIL 601. These students will be auto-enrolled for their first attempt at the course, usually for their pre-recruitment term, by the GSPA office. If you are not auto-enrolled, and you think you should be in the course, please reach out to your graduate coordinator.

Other graduate students may be required to complete WIL 601 as determined by their program. To find out if this is a requirement for you, please reach out to your grad coordinator. If you’re eligible, your grad coordinator will support your enrolment.

HOW DO I ACCESS WIL 601?

You’ll access WIL 601 through LEARN, Waterloo’s online learning management system (LMS). Log into LEARN using your WatIAM user ID and password. You’ll need consistent internet access to use LEARN, and it’s compatible with both desktop and mobile devices. If you have any questions about your system’s compatibility with LEARN or issues accessing your WIL course, contact the course team or visit the LEARN help resources.

Do I have to pay to take WIL 601?

No, you do not have to pay any additional fees. For co-op students, the cost for WIL 601 is included as part of your co-op fees, and for all other students engaged in WIL 601, it is paid for through your existing tuition fees.

HOW IS WIL 601 GRADED?

The individual assignments and quizzes within WIL 601 are numerically graded, but the course itself is graded on a credit/no-credit (CR/NCR) basis.

When you see WIL 601 on your transcript, you will see a CR (credit) or NCR (no credit) appear in the grade column instead of a number. Results will remain on your transcript, but they do not affect your overall GPA.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I FAIL OR WITHDRAW FROM WIL 601?

If WIL 601 is required for your degree, you must repeat the course during a subsequent term. Please contact your graduate student co-ordinator for next steps.

The results of WIL 601 (WD/WF/NCR) will not affect your GPA or overall credit count, but the results will remain on your transcript, even if the course is later repeated and passed.