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.
Blog
Building websites and confidence
By: Danyka Belanger | 4 min read
By stepping outside her comfort zone in data analytics and leadership roles, Carole Hanna built independence and learned the importance of clear communication.
Redirection, reflection and recreation
By: Danyka Belanger | 5 min read
Through persistence and constantly seeking opportunities, Kelly Ramnarais transformed a challenging co‑op search into a clear passion for therapeutic recreation.
Engineering breakthroughs create real-world impact
By: Danyka Belanger | 5 min read
Jane Zeng gained valuable experience that helped her grow from having zero machine learning knowledge to solving problems with real company impact.
News
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.
WaterlooWorks updates for improved user experience
By: Co-operative and Experiential Education
Co-operative and Experiential Education launches WaterlooWorks updates to improve job search and application based on student feedback