Hire a Waterloo Arts co-op student

Collage of images of students working in industry. Group of co-op students looking at a computer, working on a whiteboard and looking at an ipad.

Waterloo Arts students are intelligent, professional and well-positioned to introduce new ideas into the workplace. Drawing on their diverse experience, they look at challenges through a unique lens, and they’re motivated to share solutions that will make a difference in your organization.

Their approach and attitude can inspire a culture of innovation, encouraging new and existing employees alike to find innovative ways to tackle existing problems. The knowledge and fresh perspective these students bring to their roles provide organizations with a competitive edge, along with a direct line to future-ready talent.

Why hire our co-op students?

#1 for hands on experiential learning

As Canada's leader in experiential learning, our students are equipped with the academic and technical skills needed for the workplace (Maclean's Student Voices Survey 2022). 
29 years being ranked as Canada's most innovative university

Hiring our co-op students connects you with top talent from Canada’s most innovative university (Maclean’s Magazine).
International award winner for employer-student connections

We are internationally recognized as the best institution in the world in helping organizations leverage student talent (QS Reimagine Education Awards 2023).
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Who hires Waterloo Arts co-op students? 

Arts students are adaptable and well-suited to work in a variety of industries and roles. The following is a small sample of organizations that have hired Waterloo Arts co-op students. 

  • ApplyBoard
  • BlackBerry
  • CGI Group Inc
  • Clearpath Robotics
  • D2L
  • Deloitte
  • Flipp
  • Manulife Financial
  • National Research Council Canada
  • Nissan Canada
  • Ontario Ministry of Finance
  • Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
  • Peel Regional Police
  • RBC Financial Group
  • Royal Bank of Canada
  • Scotiabank
  • Sheridan College
  • The New Quarterly
  • Toronto District School Board
  • Treasury Board Secretariat
  • United Way
  • Waterloo Region Museum

What kind of work can Arts co-op students do?

Arts students are equipped to support many areas of your organization. Learn more about the talents they can bring to a few of the most common job categories below, including sample job titles, skills that students bring and more.

Marketing and communications

Sample jobs:

  • Communications associate
  • Web designer
  • Marketing specialist
  • Digital communications assistant
  • Social media manager
  • Graphic designer
  • Sales communications specialist
  • Technical writer
  • Corporate communications specialist
  • Digital marketing assistant
  • Business analyst
  • UX designer

Programs to consider when hiring:

  • English
  • Communications Studies
  • Fine Arts
  • Psychology
  • Legal Studies
  • Economics

Top skills:

  • Write and convey complex ideas
  • Research, analyze and synthesize data from multiple sources into meaningful information
  • Edit technical publications 
  • Lead others in the completion of projects and events 
  • Grasp new technologies with ease
  • Communicate ideas effectively using clear and concise language
  • Understand and manage change 
  • Work effectively with others
  • Innovate and remain flexible to changing business needs
  • Apply knowledge to think creatively and solve problems
  • Value diversity and inclusion

They're successful in many different areas -€” they are diverse and bring a diverse skill set to the table. That’s what sets Arts students apart.

Research and analysis

Sample jobs:

  • Research analyst
  • Business analyst
  • Macroeconomic analyst
  • Financial analyst
  • Junior policy analyst
  • Legal assistant
  • Project control officer

Programs to consider when hiring:

  • Economics
  • Legal Studies
  • Political Science
  • Psychology

Top skills:

  • Analyze and synthesize data from multiple sources into meaningful information
  • Perform research, collect statistics and make mathematical calculations
  • Develop and deliver effective presentations
  • Identify solutions to problems and opportunities for improvement
  • Identify and evaluate relevant data
  • Predict and forecast
  • Communicate complex ideas clearly
  • Analyze information to make evidence-based decisions
  • Think critically

Human services

Sample jobs:

  • Community services organizer
  • Research associate
  • Disability services worker
  • Marketing assistant
  • Community development specialist
  • Youth worker
  • Human resources specialist
  • Fundraising assistant
  • Customer service associate
  • Project manager
  • Social policy research
  • Office administrator
  • Social services worker
  • Operations specialist
  • Volunteer co-ordination specialist

Programs to consider when hiring:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Social Development Studies
  • Sexuality, Marriage and Family
  • Religious Studies

Top skills:

  • Communicate ideas effectively using clear and concise language
  • Proactively seek to build good relationships
  • Adapt to culturally diverse situations
  • Identify and analyze relevant data
  • Manage deadlines
  • Make evidence-based decisions
  • Manage conflict and motivate others
  • Value diversity and inclusion
  • Fundraising
  • Listen attentively to others
  • Demonstrate curiosity
  • Work effectively with others
  • Demonstrate integrity and ethics

Administration and support services

Sample jobs:

  • Account support specialist
  • Customer experience associate
  • Project manager
  • Customer support specialist
  • Human resources assistant
  • Guest services specialist
  • Administrative assistant
  • Office administrator
  • Operations specialist
  • Research assistant
  • Marketing associate

Programs to consider when hiring:

  • Economics
  • Psychology
  • English
  • Legal Studies
  • Communication Studies
  • Political Science
  • Sociology

Top skills:

  • Communicate clearly and effectively
  • Identify solutions to problems
  • Maintain a positive attitude
  • Think critically
  • Speak two or more languages
  • Understand diversity, culture and ethics
  • Provide support to others
  • Manage deadlines
  • Gather, analyze and synthesize data from multiple sources into meaningful information
  • Collaborate effectively 
  • Manage conflict 
  • Identify concrete steps to complete work
  • Develop knowledge of others and adjust cultural assumptions

Arts students often know how to read people and tailor their communication approach to whomever they are speaking with.

Policy and government services and relations

Sample jobs:

  • Assistant policy analyst
  • Federal public service intern
  • International trade advisor
  • Junior policy analyst
  • Legislative learner
  • Parliamentary protocol and public relations assistant
  • Policy analyst
  • Program analyst
  • Public affairs specialist

Programs to consider when hiring:

  • Communications Studies
  • Economics
  • English
  • Legal Studies
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Top skills:

  • Actively integrate ideas from across contexts
  • Identify and evaluate relevant data
  • Analyze and synthesize data from multiple sources into meaningful information
  • Observe and investigate 
  • Apply technology for efficiency and better results
  • Demonstrate integrity and ethics
  • Take initiative
  • Proactively seek to build good relationships
  • Adapt to culturally diverse situations
  • Predict and forecast
  • Make evidence-based decisions
  • Anticipate problems and identify solutions
  • Manage deadlines

What [arts students] say has value and you can see they have the educational foundation to be able to develop those thoughts. I think Waterloo has prepared them for that, not only through the standard of education, but through the co-op program.

Business development and sales

Sample jobs:

  • Account specialist
  • Assistant brand manager
  • Brand associate
  • Business developer
  • Guest services specialist
  • Product marketing associate
  • Sales analyst 
  • Sales and marketing associate
  • Sales communications specialist
  • Sales productivity intern
  • Sales training associate

Programs to consider when hiring:

  • Communications Studies
  • Economics
  • English
  • Fine Arts
  • Legal Studies
  • Psychology

Top skills:

  • Communicate clearly and effectively
  • Proactively seek to build good relationships
  • Identify and evaluate relevant data
  • Write and convey complex ideas
  • Think creatively and critically
  • Motivate and persuade others
  • Make evidence-based decisions
  • Maintain a positive attitude
  • Analyze and synthesize data from multiple sources into meaningful information
  • Fulfill responsibilities

Arts students really thrive with ambiguity and embrace the unknown. That’s where they learn to use their curiosity and critical thinking, they come in and think outside the box and bring those perspectives we may not otherwise have.

Education and training

Sample jobs:

  • Camp assistant
  • Customer relations
  • Guest services
  • Learning associate
  • Museum/gallery interpreter
  • Teaching assistant
  • Training and documentation specialist

Programs to consider when hiring:

  • Classical Studies
  • Communications Studies
  • English
  • Fine Arts
  • History
  • Languages: French, German, Spanish
  • Philosophy
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Top skills:

  • Communicate ideas effectively using clear and concise language
  • Listen attentively to others
  • Integrate ideas from across contexts
  • Grasp new technologies with ease
  • Demonstrate integrity and ethics
  • Communicate using online meeting platforms
  • Proactively seek to build good relationships
  • Adapt to culturally diverse situations
  • Manage projects
  • Identify solutions to problems
  • Demonstrate curiosity
  • Manage deadlines

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Sample jobs:

  • Accessibility coordinator

  • Community inclusion and leisure collaborator

  • Community services organizer

  • Community development specialist

  • Disability services worker

  • Diversity and community support

  • Health promotion and diversity coordinator

  • Human rights, equity and inclusion support and engagement coordinator

  • Inclusion program facilitator

  • Research associate (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)

  • Social policy research (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)

  • Social services worker

  • Student engagement and retention specialist

  • Volunteer co-ordination specialist

Programs to consider when hiring:

  • Gender and Social Justice

  • Psychology

  • Sociology

  • Social Development Studies

  • Sexuality, Marriage and Family

  • Religious Studies

Top skills:

  • Communicate ideas effectively using clear and concise language

  • Proactively seek to build good relationships

  • Adapt to culturally diverse situations

  • Value diversity, equity, inclusion and ethics

  • Manage deadlines

  • Make evidence-based decisions

  • Manage conflict and motivate others

  • Maintain a positive attitude

  • Listen attentively to others

  • Demonstrate curiosity

  • Work effectively with others

  • Demonstrate integrity


Find out why employers hire Waterloo Arts co-op students

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Hear about Art student Sharanya's remote work experience with Calix Inc.

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See more employer stories →

 How does co-op work?

1) Register and post Affordable way to fill your talent needs

Access 25,000+ students available for full-time positions.
2) Interview and hire Talent from 120+ accredited programs

Hire a student for 12 to 16 weeks.
3) Repeat Students are available year round

Easily repost your job for the next work term on WaterlooWorks.

Join our Co-op Fundamentals Info Session

Gain insights on recruiting co-op talent, navigating Waterloo's hiring process, applying for funding opportunities and how we can support you.

Top wage subsidies and tax incentives for hiring co-op

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) Receive up to $5,000 per co-op student

Through SWPP, organizations in Canada that offer full-time employment opportunities for full-time Canadian post-secondary students can receive wage subsidies. There are several partners that deliver this funding.

How much is this funding? Funding will cover up to 50% in wage subsidies (to a max. of $5,000) per co-op student you hire for each 12-16 week work term.

Students hired from under-represented groups may be eligible to have up to 70% of their wages subsidized. This is determined on a case-by-case basis at the end of each work term.
Am I eligible?
  • There is SWPP funding available to employers in all industries
  • Employers can hire students in any program (i.e.: Arts, Business, Science...etc.)
  • Students must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or a person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of employment to qualify for funding from SWPP
  • Provincial and territorial governments are NOT eligible for SWPP funding
How can I apply? You apply directly to each funding partner. We've put together a helpful list of details for all of the funding partners. Take a look for more details!
What's the application deadline? Applications are open! Deadlines vary by funding partner.

Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit $3,000 tax credit per co-op student
How much is the tax credit?

Large corporations can claim 25% of expenditures, up to $3,000, while small businesses can claim 30% of expenditures up to $3,000, per eligible work placement. This tax credit is available for each work placement. Each work placement needs to be a minimum of 10 weeks and maximum of 4 months with no cap on the amount of eligible work placements an employer submits.

Employers may have multiple work placements which take place at the same time and throughout the year (I.e. iIf an organization decides to hire for an eight-month work term, or two students for four-month work terms, both would be considered as two work placements and would be eligible for a total tax credit of up to $6,000).

Am I eligible? Any Ontario employer hiring students from a post-secondary co-op program
How can I apply?

Corporations claim the tax credit on Schedule 550 of their T2 corporation income tax return. Unincorporated businesses claim the credit on Form ON479 in their personal tax return.

Learn more about the forms you need to submit on the government website.

What's the application deadline? Tax season each year

A tip to maximize your funding

Student Work Placement Program funding can be combined with the Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit. This mean that you might be eligible to receive both types of funding.

For example: for each student you hire, you could receive up to $5,000 in SWPP funding plus an Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit of up to $3,000 in expenditures not covered by SWPP! 

I want to learn more. Send me hiring info!

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