Co-operative education , or co-op, allows you to apply what you've learned in class and put it into practice within an actual work setting. Co-op is a great way for you to find out what jobs you like and the companies you enjoy before you even graduate. It' allows you to network for full-time positions.
As a Computing and Financial Management (CFM) student, you'll gain invaluable industry experience with up to two years of paid work before you graduate, setting you up for success in the Financial Technology, finance, or technology industry.
Co-op sequence
Throughout your studies, you will combine in-class learning with on-the-job experience after your first year of study with co-op. This will allow you to apply what you've learned in class to the working world and apply what you've learned in industry to your studies. By the time you graduate, you will have completed 5-6 work terms and gained up to two years of paid experience.
In CFM, you will automatically be put into a co-op sequence. Your co-op sequence outlines your scheduled study and co-op terms. It is designed to ensure that you can fit in your co-op requirements and limited-term courses.
It may be possible to change your co-op sequence but it may delay your graduation. Consult with your academic advisor to make changes.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W | S | F | W |
| 1A | 1B | WT1 | 2A | WT2 | 2B | WT3 | 3A | WT4 | 3B | WT5 | 4A | WT6 | 4B |
| F = Fall term (September - December); W = Winter term (January - April); S = Spring term (May - August); WT = Work term |
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Preparing for co-op
The co-op program at Waterloo is designed to simulate the full-time application and employment experience. You will actively be involved in the job search process. Starting in your 1B term, you'll participate in professional development (PD) courses to learn how to design your resume, apply to jobs using our Waterloo Works, job database system, and participate in interviews. Through the CFM program, you'll be invited to attend our Co-op Prep Session event in the fall to learn from other CFM students on how to be successful in finding work. You'll begin to apply to jobs as early as January for spring term.
How co-op works
The co-op program at UWaterloo will actively involve you in the co-op search process. The skills you'll learn from this experience will prepare you for your future full-time job opportunities — and give you an edge over the competition.
| STEP 1 | Prepare a concise and professional résumé (with the help of many co-op supports). | |
|---|---|---|
| STEP 2 | Take your online professional development course - PD 1. | |
| STEP 3 |
Read job postings on WaterlooWorks, the University's job database system, and apply to positions of interest - make sure to customize your resume for each application. Co-op Employer Sessions are hosted on campus throughout the term for you to learn about opportunities and network with potential hiring managers. Login to your WaterlooWorks for a calendar of events. |
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| STEP 4 | Attend interview(s) with employers that have selected you.Interviews may take place in person at the Tatham Centre (TC) or online. Some travel may be required. | |
| STEP 5 | If you’re ranked, rank the interview(s) you had in order of personal preference. | |
| STEP 6 |
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Important dates and information
Stay informed on important dates surrounding co-op postings and closings and check your University of Waterloo email and WaterlooWorks regularly for messages from Co-operative Education.
Co-op requirements
To graduate with a Bachelor of Computing and Financial Management (BCFM) degree, you will need to satisfy three requirements for co-op.
- 5–6 co-op work terms
- 5 PD (professional development) courses
- PD1 — taking in your 1B term
- PD11 — taken in your first co-op
- 3 more PD courses of your choosing — taken in your next subsequent co-op terms
- 60% minimum overall average each term to maintain co-op eligibility
Professional development (PD)
Professional Development (PD) courses will help you to learn or enhance new skills to improve your success in the workplace. These courses will allow you to make connections between your workplace, academics and career.
You can choose your remaining three courses from the PD course catalogue. CFM students are not required to take PD 10 - Professional Responsibility in Computing.
Sample CFM co-op jobs
The benefit of the CFM program is that you can explore a variety of co-op positions in the computer science, finance, or business world as you'll have the relevant skills for these kinds of roles.
- C#-Java-Scala Developer, Bank of America
- Asset Management Intern, City of Vaughn
- Test Automation Intern, Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited
- Finance Co-op Student, Mattamy Homes
- Software Engineering, Cloud Security, RBC Financial Group
- Solutions Developer (Data), Shore Consulting Group
Enterprise Co-op (E-Co-op)
If you are interested in growing your own ideas and business, you can receive co-op credit while building your company through E-Coop offered by the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business. E-Co-op is open to all students with any type of business concept: no-tech, low-tech, high-tech, service, consulting and more.
If you are interested in growing a business but are still looking to develop your ideas, you can seek mentorship and guidance through Velocity and the Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre. You may also be interested in taking entrepreneurship classes as your electives or pursuing the Minor in Entreprenurship as part of your studies.
The most common co-op positions for our students are Business Technology Analyst, Data Analyst, Developer, Full Stack Developer, Investment Analyst, QA Analyst, Software Developer, Software Engineer, Technical Systems Analyst, Web Analyst and Web Developer.
Our students are employed most commonly at the Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, CPP Investment Board, DBRS Limited, Deloitte, Facebook, Morgan Stanley, National Bank Financial, NexJ Systems Inc., OMERS, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, RBC Financial Group, Scotiabank, TD Bank Group, and the University of Waterloo.
The Computing and Financial Management students we’ve hired from the University of Waterloo provide a fantastic fit, a great blend of technical, analytical and business skills – ideal for driving the transformation to a mobile-first, cloud-first world at Microsoft Canada.
Co-op support
You'll have lots of guidance to help you navigate co-op and many resources to help you find the job(s) that you're looking for.
Resume critique
Seek help with the format, layout and language of your resume to attract top employers.
Attend a workshop or one-on-one appointment with a Career Advisor to learn the first steps in building a resume and make changes as you build your skill set.
Get the Writing and Communication Centre to look over your resume to check for grammar, tense and flow. You want to avoid having your resume trashed because of a typo
Interview prep
Practice your interview skills and get feedback on your answers, rate of speech, and body language.
Attend a workshop or one-on-one appointment with a Career Advisor for tips on interview best practices and try out a mock interview before the real thing.
Job searching
Look for future co-op positions by logging onto your WaterlooWorks. The University has over 6,700 partners with employers looking to hire! Tailor your resumes for any jobs that you find interesting to see if you get selected for an interview. You can also look for work on your own through CareerHub or other job search engines - just make sure to get your position approved.
Ask questions
For all other questions relating to co-op, you can contact your co-op advisor. To connect, select "send a message" on Waterloo Works.
Before you start searching for your first co-op job, your co-op advisor will reach out to introduce themselves. Co-op advisors are aligned with each faculty and know about your academic program, co-op journey, transferable skills, and job opportunities. They are dedicated resources to help you succeed through your recruitment and co-op work terms.