External job options

Student having a coffee chat with an employer

There are many ways to find a co-op job, and most students use a combination of approaches throughout their job search. Alongside opportunities posted on WaterlooWorks co-op job boards (Full-Cycle Service and Employer-Student Direct), you can explore employer websites, public job boards, personal networking opportunities and the Contract, Part-Time and Volunteer board. Many students successfully secure co-op credited jobs through these methods.  

Using these resources is a great way to target specific locations, industries or job titles. Doing so can help you access opportunities that align with your specific goals, whether you’re interested in a specific employer, a research-centered role or working abroad.

No matter how you find your co-op job, Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) is here to help you every step of the way.

Understanding how to arrange your own job

Before you begin your job search, make sure you understand how your job needs to meet work term requirements. If you're applying to an 8, 12 or 16 month job that is not in your sequence, you'll need an approved sequence change before accepting the job. Searching for jobs can be complex as you manage different timelines for each job you apply for. You may be:

  • Managing several employers timelines at once
  • Applying and interviewing at the same time
  • Participating in different interview processes for each employer (e.g., screenings, technical interviews, presentations, etc.)

Search for opportunities

Whether you're looking for co-op-specific opportunities, exploring flexible credit options or building connections through networking, there are a variety of resources available to support your search.

External job boards

You can find a list of public job boards by going to the External Job Boards menu in WaterlooWorks. Here you'll find different job boards external to the University of Waterloo for co-op, full-time, summer, part-time and other jobs each with their own recruitment timelines. These jobs have not been reviewed by Co-operative Education, but may be eligible for co-op credit.

Access a collection of external job boards featuring:

  • Co-op opportunities
  • Summer jobs
  • Part-time positions
  • Full-time opportunities
  • Industry-specific job postings

Contract, Part-Time and Volunteer job board

The WaterlooWorks Contract, Part-Time and Volunteer job board is a great resource for potential co-op jobs. You may find co-op eligible jobs on this site that meet flexible credit or unpaid/underpaid regulations.

Explore opportunities including:

  • Volunteer positions
  • Contract work
  • Temporary jobs
  • Summer positions
  • Seasonal work
  • Part-time opportunities
  • Casual employment

Funded employment programs

Some employers participate in funded hiring programs that help offset the cost of hiring students. These opportunities can make it easier for organizations to bring on co-op talent and are worth exploring as part of your search.

JADA

JADA helps streamline your job search. It pulls potential co-op credit-eligible job postings from a wide range of sources into one place. With JADA, you can spend less time searching through multiple job boards and more time applying to jobs that match your goals.

Key features

JADA has been designed to make your job search easier and more efficient. Some key features include:

  • Upload multiple résumés - Upload and manage up to five (5) résumés to your profile that are tailored to different industries, roles or skill sets.
  • Skills match - JADA compares your résumés and profile to job descriptions to help find jobs that align with your experience, skills and academic background.
  • Custom searches - Enter details about the jobs you're looking for, including location and company names.
  • Faculty-aligned jobs - You can view all postings in JADA, but it will highlight opportunities aligned with your faculty.

Networking

Networking is one of the most effective ways to find opportunities, especially in a competitive job market. Letting people know you’re looking and having conversations about your interests can open doors that aren’t posted publicly. CEE offers resources and events to help you develop your approach and feel more confident reaching out. You can always reach out to a Career Advisor, or watch a recorded workshop about networking. 

  • Networking strategies

    Learn tactics to make genuine connections on CareerHub

  • Join an Employer Information Session

    Network with employers actively hiring

  • View the Networking and Professional Events Calendar

    Discover upcoming networking opportunities

Get a letter of introduction

When connecting with employers, it can help to clearly explain what co-op is and how hiring a Waterloo student benefits their organization. A Waterloo-branded Letter of Introduction makes those conversations easier and more effective.

Also consider talking about funding opportunities when talking with potential employers. These funding programs can make it easier and more cost-effective for employers to hire you.

Accepted a job offer?

Once you’ve secured a position, the next step is to submit your Arrange Own Job form within seven days to request co-op credit. CEE will take care of the review and approval process.

Hear from other students

Interested in learning about jobs students have secured outside of WaterlooWorks? Read how fellow Waterloo students found opportunities outside WaterlooWorks, navigated their job searches and turned their own connections and initiatives into meaningful work experiences.