Co-op at Waterloo webinar recap

What is the minimum number of co-ops you need to complete?

This depends on your specific program. Most programs have between four and six co-op work terms.

Can you choose which terms you take co-op?

Your co-op sequence will depend on your faculty and program.

Is an 8-month co-op term option available at Waterloo?

Yes, 8-month co-op terms can be an option. Although, most work terms are four months in length. Some programs have 8-month co-op work terms built right into your sequence and others may offer flexibility to adjust your schedule. Learn more about work-study sequences.

Do we choose how many co-op terms we want to do, or are they specific to the program?

The number of co-op terms depends on the program. Learn more about work-study sequences.

Why is a co-op program longer than a non-co-op program?

This is because we are including 4-6 co-op work terms in addition to the usual 8 academic terms. So, to complete the number of co-op work terms and academic terms, it extends the time out a little bit.

Are co-op terms graded and if so, do the grades contribute toward your GPA?

Co-op terms are not formally graded, so no impact to your average! You do however receive a co-op work term grading from your employer (e.g., “excellent”, “good”, “very good”, etc.) and your employers will receive that as part of your application package when you apply for future co-op work terms.

Is there a certain number of hours you need per co-op term?

A co-op job must be full time, 12-16 weeks, and a minimum of 420 hours.

Can you talk a little about stream 4 vs 8?

Of course! Depending on your program, you will be entered in a different co-op stream that will start either 4 or 8 months into your first year. In stream 4 you will start earning an income sooner (starts in January). In stream 8 you have more time to settle in at university before applying for your first co-op job (starts in May). Learn more about work-study sequences.

Is there any flexibility with timing of work terms to deviate from the standard schedules?

This depends on the program you’re in, but yes, sometimes there can be flexibility. Your co-op advisor can help guide you through this.

Are co-op programs 5 years instead of the traditional 4 years?

Yes, co-op programs are 5 years instead of the traditional 4 years to allow room for the co-op terms while you complete your degree. Learn more about work-study sequences.

What is the difference between placement, internship, or co-op?

Great question! We don’t do “placements” at Waterloo — as in, we don’t “place” a student in a job. All our jobs are obtained through a competitive process, where you will have to apply, interview, and get offered the job.  

An internship is typically a one-time, unpaid position. A co-op job is typically paid, and students participate in more than one (at Waterloo, 4-6 co-op work terms). 

Learn more about the difference between co-ops and internships.  

What happens if you don’t get a co-op job?

If you don’t get a co-op job, there are different options depending on your program, year, etc., but the main thing to know is that you have access to so many resources to support you through this, including your co-op advisor.

If it’s your first work term, you can choose to participate in the WeAccelerate program, where an employer will work with a group of students on a real-world project to gain experience.

Do you get to choose which co-op to do?

Yes, you do. You get to choose which jobs you apply to and ultimately which job offer you accept.

How hard is it to find a job for your first term?

Finding a co-op job in your first term can be competitive, but you’re not on your own. Before your first work term, you'll take an online course that guides you though the co-op process. You’ll also have access to career advisors that are here to help you with job search strategies, creating a résumé, practising for interviews, and figuring out your career interests. Plus, you’ll get your own personal co-op advisor who can support you through the process and offer support during your work terms.

What percentage of co-op students get placements and has this number decreased with the state of the market currently?

Last fall term, our co-op employment rate was 97 per cent — this changes over different semesters and fluctuates with the market. Last year, there were 24,000 successful co-op work terms!

Are you guaranteed a co-op?

You are not guaranteed a co-op job — it is a competitive process and you need to apply, interview, and be offered the job.

If you have trouble finding a co-op job, don’t worry — there is a lot of support for you. In your first work term, you could join the We Accelerate program, working with an industry partner on real-world projects to gain experience (all while earning a flexible work term credit). Your co-op advisor can help you navigate this process, and there are so many supports such as résumé help, mock interviews, or career advice.

If you continue to struggle to find a co-op job, your co-op advisor can help you look at other options. Depending on your program, there may be some flexibility with how many co-op terms you need to graduate.

Are return offers from companies common?

While return offers are not uncommon, it really depends upon the company and position that a student is working in, and sometimes projects students are working on. Many times, students want to gain experience in different companies and work on different projects, so they look for newer avenues in co-op too.

Are there opportunities to arrange your own job? If so, does it have to relate to your degree?

Yes, you can arrange your own job. If you have a specific field, employer, or job in mind you can arrange that. If you work with your co-op advisor, they can help you navigate that.

Normally how far in advance do co-op students apply for co-op jobs?

The application process occurs during the academic term before a co-op work term.

Would you advise against arranging your own job for your first co-op term?

Nope! All jobs are great jobs whether you’ve arranged them yourself or found them through our job board.

Do the companies that we co-op for have to be a company from a provided list? Or any company?

Waterloo co-op students have the option of applying for jobs on our internal job board or arranging their own job through personal networks (such as family or friends). The sky is the limit!

Do faculty at Waterloo also offer co-op research opportunities for co-op terms?

Yes, Waterloo faculty (professors) also hire students for co-op terms.

Do you have stats around whether jobs found align well with students' majors?

Data shows that 94 per cent of Waterloo co-op grads are working in jobs related to the skills they developed at university within two years of graduating. I don’t have data about the types of co-op roles specifically, but I recommend you stay open to trying different jobs in different industries along the way. Our students say that this was one of the most important learnings for them (learning what jobs they love AND which ones they don’t).

How are co-op job salaries determined?

Co-op compensation varies widely depending on your employer, your program of study, your work term level or your overall work experience. It’s not a standardized amount, and you will work directly with the employer in that process. You can also check out the average co-op earnings reported last year by our co-op students.

What are some common co-op employers for students?

We have a network of over 8,000 employers across the globe! You can get a sense of some employers who have hired students in the past by browsing our viewbook.

Is [insert specific company] involved in Waterloo’s co-op?

Unfortunately, we do not have our full list of co-op employers available to share. If we don’t currently work with a specific company you can always arrange your own job with companies outside of our job board.

Does Waterloo co-op during undergrad make it more likely to get a job post-grad?

It definitely helps! 94 per cent of Waterloo graduates are employed in jobs directly related to skills they learned at university within two years of graduation. Co-op is a huge factor in this number!

Historically, are employment rates higher after graduation for students that did co-op?

While we don’t have stats for Waterloo grads of co-op vs. non-co-op, 82 per cent of Waterloo co-op grads earn $60k / year two years after graduation compared to 48% of all Ontario grads. Co-op certainly gives you exposure and experience!

What’s co-op like for [insert program]?

If you’d like to learn more about what co-op is like in a specific program, connecting with students in that program would be a great place to start. Visit our Ask a Warrior web page to get started.

What makes co-op different at Waterloo compared to other universities that also offer co-op?

There are quite a few differences. Most universities in Canada offer co-op. At Waterloo, we’ve been doing co-op longer than any other Canadian school. We also have the largest post-secondary co-op program in the world. Our 4-month alternating pattern of academic terms/co-op work terms is rather unique to Waterloo. Our 8,000+ co-op employers also helps us stand out.

How does residence work with co-op?

You pay housing at Waterloo only for study terms. On co-op you may be outside of Waterloo and therefore you do not pay for residence.

How do you live off campus when you don't need the apartment all year?

Residence can be a great option for students for ease of finding housing for the period of time that you need it for, but a popular option for students living off campus is to sublet their rooms and look for other sublets or short-term rentals in the areas they are going to work in.

If you live outside of Waterloo, can your co-op be closer to home?

Since you are deciding which companies and jobs to apply to, if there are openings near where your home is, you can definitely apply there!

Do the co-op programs have higher/different admission standards than the equivalent program without co-op?

Often the minimum average required for a co-op program is a bit higher than that of the non-co-op version. Learn more about our admission requirements.

If you apply to the co-op program but aren't admitted, are you considered for the regular program?

If you apply to the co-op program, you won’t necessarily be automatically considered for the regular (non-co-op) stream. However, we recommend applying to the co-op option if you're interested, it's typically much easier to switch from co-op to regular later on than the other way around.

Is tuition more costly for co-op vs non-co-op?

Tuition will not cost more for co-op students. There is however a co-op fee that you pay for each co-op term. Co-op fees help cover the cost of running Waterloo’s co-op program.

Do you apply for co-op at the same time you apply to your university program? Or after you are enrolled in Year 1?

Yes, you apply directly to a co-op program right on the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).

Are there extra steps you need to take as an international student in the co-op program?

When you have an offer of admission and you apply for study permit, you will need to apply for a co-op work permit, which lets you work full time during your co-op term. View some more details about the study permit process.

How does Waterloo support students with disabilities with co-op?

There are several supports for students. Learn more about the supports available.