Co-op

Waterloo is a global leader in co-operative education, or “co-op.” Enjoy access to North America’s largest selection of co-op jobs and gain valuable workplace experience to complement your world-class education.

How co-op works

Through co-op, you'll alternate 4-month school terms with 4-month paid work terms in jobs relating to your program. We'll guide you through the process of finding a job with one of our 6,700+ employers.

You'll learn how to write a résumé, how to present yourself well at an interview, and how to conduct yourself on the job - all the skills you'll need when you're starting your career.

Learn more about co-op at Waterloo.

Choose your experience

Depending on your program, you may have the option to apply to co-op or fast-track in the 4-year "regular" system of study, as it's called here at Waterloo.

Co-op (5-year)

Graduate with 20 months of work experience

Earn $38,000 - $85,000 over 5 terms to help pay for school

Grow your network while exploring different jobs and industries

4-year program

Use your summers off to travel, work, or volunteer

Take classes in the summer to further fast-track to graduation

Develop your professional skills with Waterloo’s EDGE certificate for non-co-op students

What kind of companies will you work for?

The types of jobs you can apply for may vary by program. Past co-op employers of Environment students include:

Which Environment programs offer co-op?

• Environment and Business - regular and co-op
• Environment, Resources, and Sustainability - regular and co-op
• Geography and Aviation - regular only
• Geography and Environmental Management - regular and co-op
• Geomatics - regular and co-op
• International Development - regular only
• Knowledge Integration - regular only
• Planning - co-op only