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
Career ready: co-op facilitated learning across pharmacy sectors
By: Alison Chase | 5 min read
Janine Fletcher (she/her) is in her 3B term of the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at the University of Waterloo. Throughout her time as a co-op student, Janine has explored multiple sides of health care from hospital emergency rooms to independent pharmacies.
Diversifying my skill set: exploring different engineering industries
By: Alison Chase | 5 min read
Lucas DeMello (he/him) is a Biomedical Engineering student in his 3B term. He has participated in a variety of unique opportunities through co-op, from designing scoreboards to helping alleviate world hunger with machine learning. Lucas also shares how he copes with living away from home.
Prostate cancer research – Presenting at ASCO GU 2024, San Francisco
By: Aadya Dixit | 3 min read
Jaspreet Kaur Gill (she/her) is a third-year BSc. Honours Health Sciences (minor in Medical Physiology, Health Research specialization) student. She highlights her experience presenting and travelling to the American Society of Clinical Oncology – Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco, CA, one of the key prostate cancer events globally.