Co-op vs regular: Finding the perfect path for you

Written by Iman (she/her), student

Deciding whether to pursue co-op or not is an important decision to make before applying to Waterloo.

Both co-op and regular stream (a degree without co-op) have a lot to offer, but it's up to you to decide which option to take advantage of.

Despite their differences, both options will provide you with unique opportunities to develop as both a student and as a professional. To help you better decide which type of program is right for you, I've compiled a list of all the benefits of choosing either co-op or regular stream.

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What is co-op?

Co-op is paid work experience that you complete throughout your degree. In co-op, you alternate between study terms and work terms, completing four to six work terms over the course of your degree. This means that you graduate with up to two years of relevant, paid work experience. You gain hands-on experience in the field you wish to pursue, build your professional network, and earn money while you study!

Waterloo’s co-op program is the largest in the world of its kind, so you’ll have plenty of support throughout your co-op journey. Waterloo has connections with over 8,000 employers in 80 countries, giving you access to the largest selection of co-op jobs for university students in North America.

You’ll have a dedicated co-op advisor checking in on you and answering any and all questions you have throughout your time in the co-op program. I used the Centre for Career Development and CareerHub a ton while job searching. They hosted many different workshops on mastering your job search and exploring career pathways and even gave me one-on-one help with résumé building and mock interview practice.

Why choose co-op at Waterloo?

Money: Co-op positions are typically full-time and paid, which can help you fund your degree. On average, you can earn anywhere from $9,600 to $22,500 per four-month work term in Canada.

Work experience: Graduating with up to two years of work experience will give you a major advantage over other recent graduates when job hunting post-graduation. 81% of Waterloo co-op grads earn $60,000+ two years after graduation compared to 44% of other Ontario graduates.

Build your confidence: After four to six work terms, you’ll have the skills and confidence to be comfortable and successful upon entering the workplace. Getting work experience has helped me build my confidence and communication skills even in my everyday life!

Professional development: Throughout co-op, you’ll have many opportunities to learn how to build a top-notch résumé, develop interview and job-searching skills, and learn how to be a professional in the workplace.

Networking: During your work terms, you’ll meet and work with many different professionals in your chosen field. You’ll graduate with valuable connections that can help you grow in your chosen field.

Before I started co-op, I had no relevant experience in my field. Through co-op, I’ve been able to make employer connections, build my résumé, and greatly improve my interview skills!

Taryn, fourth-year Therapeutic Recreation student

What is regular stream?

Regular stream is a more traditional option, where you’re in school two terms out of the year – fall term (September to December) and winter term (January to April) – and have your summers off. With regular stream, it’ll take you four years to complete your degree, whereas co-op students usually take closer to five. Even though there are no structured co-op terms in the regular stream, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities for career development.

What are the benefits of regular stream?

Summers off: With summers off, you’ll have the flexibility to spend your summer in any way you choose:

internships or summer jobs to gain work experience,
volunteering,
travelling,
taking summer courses to fast track your degree, and
spending time with family and friends.

EDGE: EDGE is a program designed for students in the regular stream to help them gain career development skills outside of co-op. EDGE allows you to develop professional skills through workshops, part-time jobs, volunteer work, and community involvement. EDGE is a great option if you want to develop professional skills but want more flexibility and the ability to follow a more traditional university schedule.

Taking full advantage of all the mock interviews, résumé critiques, and career development workshops offered by EDGE has really boosted my confidence in entering my field of interest.

Danalee, student

Experiential learning at Waterloo: Whether you choose the co-op or regular stream, there are plenty of other experiential learning opportunities open to all students throughout your time at Waterloo.

Undergraduate research opportunities: You can deepen your knowledge in your field and gain valuable research skills by working with professors on cutting-edge research projects.
Design teams: Waterloo has design teams like Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) team and the Waterloo Rocketry team that work on amazing projects and often compete in international competitions.
Hackathons & case competitions: Waterloo hosts several hackathons and case competitions every year, which allow you to develop your collaboration and problem-solving skills.
Labs: You’ll be able to take what you learned in class and apply it hands-on through your labs.
Field trips: Specialized courses that will take you out of the classroom and into real world environments where you can learn about your coursework firsthand.

Whether you decide that the co-op or regular stream is right for you, both will give you a ton of opportunities to develop as a student and as a professional. Waterloo gives all students the support to be the best versions of themselves. With all the experience I’ve gained at Waterloo, I don’t just feel like a student, but as someone prepared to step out into the real world.