Explore careers, gain experience and earn money through North America's largest co-op program.
Our students are some of the best and brightest, and our employers know it! One thing is for sure: co-op at Waterloo exists because of YOU and your talent. Now that you're here, we're committed to helping you have the most positive co-op experience possible.
So, what's co-op like?
"When I came to Waterloo, I didn’t know what I wanted to do and I felt so behind. The Waterloo co-op program is really great to get an idea of different roles and using that knowledge can be useful to figure out exactly what you really enjoy doing."
“That's something that I'm very appreciative to have co-op for because we only have four-month time intervals in these positions to try out the job and the company, instead of being locked in for a year or more.”
"A valuable lesson I learned from this experience is to take pride in your major; passion transcends traditional expectations. Co-op has given me invaluable insights and practical learning that extend beyond my classroom learning."
Find your co-op job
There are many ways to find a co-op job! Many students start their search on WaterlooWorks, but there are other options to consider to help find a job that fits your goals and meets the requirement for co-op credit.
Supports and resources
Need help navigating co-op at Waterloo? Co-op can be challenging, but we're here for you every step of the way. Check out our online supports and if you have any questions you can connect with your co-op advisor.
News
An Indigenous student’s journey of reconnection and environmental advocacy
By: Emily Totzke (she/her)
Ojibwe student, Samantha Terry, reflects on rediscovering her Indigenous identity, thriving in co-op roles and building community.
How co-op shaped careers: the journey of Co-op Student of the Year Award alumni
By: Co-operative and Experiential Education
As we celebrate 20 years of co-op student excellence, we chatted with past award recipients to learn more about how co-op shaped their careers.
Embracing your heritage: A student’s co-op experience in Vietnam
By: Emily Totzke (she/her)
Faculty of Arts student’s international co-op experience helped her connect with her culture while gaining valuable international work experience.
Blog
Navigating the future of communications and corporate reputation
Callie Sweet (she/her) is a second-year Arts and Business student majoring in Communication Studies. Callie shares her work experiences at EY Canada in corporate reputation and executive communications, highlighting her hands-on experience with emerging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).
Inside the world of pediatric mobility and assistive robotics
Rawan Miznazi (she/her) is a fourth-year Health Sciences student in the Faculty of Health. Rawan shares her experiences at BioPed and Trexo Robotics, where she worked hands-on with patients. Her time at Trexo Robotics sparked a passion for research into the social and cognitive impacts of assistive robotic devices on children, leading her to pursue an undergraduate thesis in the field.
Co-op tips for international students
Rachita Khetan (she/her) is a Global Business and Digital Arts (GBDA) student in her 3A term. She is an international student and discusses her top tips for navigating co-op for other international students.