Chantal Wall, a Student Advisor, located in Toronto, offers her guidance and support to Waterloo students throughout their co-op work terms. She shared her insights by answering the top five most frequently asked questions.
- Why isn’t my evaluation showing up on Jobmine?
Similar to an employee evaluation form, the Student Performance Evaluation form is used for mid-term reviews and end-of-term evaluations. Students are solely responsible for arranging a time with their employers to ensure that the evaluation is completed.
“Think about [your work-term] like a course,” Chantal said. “You wouldn’t forget to hand in a final paper, so you wouldn’t forget to hand in an evaluation.”
- Can I refuse a job once I am matched with an employer?
Being proactive and becoming familiar with the ranking process can help students avoid complications. Exceptional cases may be eligible for a job sign-off request. “The more proactive you are, the better,” explained Chantal. “The more we know ahead of time, as things happen, the more we can support the students and hopefully create a better outcome.”
- Where is my student advisor’s office located on campus?
Advisors are not necessarily located on campus, and in-person meetings may not be ideal.
Appointments are also not necessary; student advisors can be reached via e-mail, telephone and Skype. When contacting an advisor, students should always include their full name, student ID number and preferred method of contact.
- What happens if I don’t find a co-op position this term?
Students that have been unsuccessful during the first job posting cycle (the first round) can take full advantage of the second round of job postings. Although we have a 97 percent co-op hire rate, if a student does not find employment they have the opportunity to get experience on their own.
“Any relevant experience can add to a student’s resume,” Chantal said. “It’s important to know that we have steps all the way along. We reach out proactively to those students and offer those students more one-on-one help.”
- What do I do as a new student without a fully developed skill set?
“It’s important for students to know that the job descriptions and qualifications that employers are looking for should be thought of like a wish list,” advised Chantal. “Even if you don’t have a skill, if you’re keen on a job and interested and want to learn it, being able to communicate that is just as or more important than actually having the skill itself.”
Chantal’s final word of advice encourages students to reach out to their advisors. “I’m here to help [students] navigate the things that might be difficult,” Chantal said. “That is what I’m here for.”
To learn more about co-operative education at Waterloo, please visit Co-operative Education and follow Co-op on Twitter at @HireWaterloo.
