Co-op

At Waterloo, co-op students alternate study terms with co-op work terms and graduate with relevant, paid work experience. This means learning how to navigate the hiring process, applying your skills to real-life problems and learning about yourself along the way. 

In Arts, co-op is available in Economics through Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business. 

Co-op eligibility

Co-op is only available to students in Honours academic plans. 

As an Arts student, in most cases you will be assessed for co-op eligibility when you declare your major. 
If you are eligible, you will be admitted to co-op prior to starting your second year Fall term (academic level 2A). Learn more about Arts co-op eligibility and speak with an Economics advisor if you have any questions.

Co-op sequences

You will have five work term opportunities in your sequence and you need to complete a minimum of four work terms. The sequence you follow is determined by when you start your studies and your academic plan(s). For example, students in Honours Arts and Business follow a different sequence than students in Honours Arts. 

Learn more about which sequence you follow as an Economics major. 

If you are requesting a sequence change, please see:

Co-op fees

Co-op at Waterloo is predominantly funded by a student-paid co-op fee. Similar to tuition, this fee is associated with being enrolled in a co-op program and is paid in instalments throughout your time at Waterloo. To learn more about these fees and what they cover, visit the Co-operative Education’s fee page.

Work term reports and Professional Development (PD) courses

Co-op students in Arts must successfully complete four work terms, as well as professional development (PD) courses from the PD program and work reports/reflections for each work term. The number of PD courses and work reports/reflections you’ll complete is determined by the academic calendar year you joined the co-op program in the Faculty of Arts. Learn more about the Arts work term report and PD requirements.

Effective Winter 2022, work reports will no longer be required for co-op students in the Faculty of Arts. From Winter 2022 onward, Arts co-op students will instead complete embedded reflections within the required Professional Development (PD) courses.

Fall 2021: This is the last term that work reports will be required. If you are scheduled for a Fall 2021 work term, you are still required to complete a work report (e.g. WKRPT 200, WKRPT 300, WKRPT 400), following the normal submission process. Learn more about the Arts work term report requirements. There is also helpful information available to Economics co-op students about Economics Department work term report expectations. If you are enrolled in PD 12, you will not submit a work report, as you already have an embedded reflection within this PD course.

Winter 2022 and onward: If you are scheduled for any work terms(s) in Winter 2022 and onward, you are not required to complete a separate work report. The WKRPT 200, WKRPT 300, WKRPT 400 courses will no longer be added to your record in Quest.

Co-op supports

As a co-op student, you will have a team of support. Learn how to connect with your team.

All students (co-op and regular streams) have access to Centre for Career Development (CCD) resources and supports at any point during their time at Waterloo.

You can also reach out to an Economics academic advisor if you have questions about your co-op plan.

Co-op student experiences

"The UWaterloo co-op program, and the Professional Development courses associated with it, have given me a fantastic platform from which I can initiate my career in the reinsurance industry. The resources offered, such as resume critiques and mock interviews, have given me the necessary foundation to succeed in applications. The Professional Development courses ready you for any scenario you may come across in the work place. From the invaluable experiences I have received in the co-op program at the UWaterloo I plan to graduate with a job in my chosen field." - Daniel Pell - former student in Honours Economics, Co-op

Co-op student jobs

Here are a few examples of co-op jobs Economics co-op students have had:

  • Integrated Business Team Member
  • Research Analyst
  • Operations Program Manager
  • Junior QA Analyst
  • Finance Team Member
  • Business Analyst

Examples of employers Economics co-op students have been employed with include:

  • Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
  • Ontario Ministry of Finance
  • Microsoft Canada
  • The Globe and Mail
  • Bell Canada
  • Manulife Financial