What is the co-op option?
The co-op option for the Graduate Diploma in Design (GDD) has been designed to integrate seamlessly with the core requirements for the diploma program. Approved students will participate in one of the following co-op streams:
GDD co-op students benefit from the services offered by the department of Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) including: full access to the JobMine database of over 6,500 employers, a career advisor assigned for employment support, as well as participation in “Co-op 601” to prepare and equip students for co-op.
All will participate in the employment cycle.
Who can apply?
Any student recently admitted to the Graduate Diploma in Design (GDD) can apply for the co-op option. Preference will be given to students pursuing the GDD in a full-time capacity who have an excellent command of the English language.
Application process
Admitted GDD students wishing to pursue the co-op option must complete the following steps in order to be considered:
STEP 1: Submit an application to the GDD co-op option.
Student must also submit:
- Proof of any previous Professional Engineering Licensure documents or licensure status (i.e. not licensed, Engineer-in-Training (EIT), licenced)
- Design portfolio (including past design projects or experiences, such as Waterloo Capstone projects, etc.)
STEP 2: Qualified students will be invited to participate with an interview by the department.
STEP 3: Selected students will be recommended to CEE for approval. Approved students will be granted access to the JobMine system and given a career advisor from the Centre for Career Action.
STEP 4: Approved students are enrolled in Co-op 601 for an introduction and support during as they progress through the co-op employment process. JobMine opens end of September for 4-stream, end of January for 8-stream.
STEP 5: Following successful ranking and matching, employed students will be required to submit:
- Change of Program Form to officially add the co-op option onto your program
- Change of Enrolment Form to transfer you from the regular stream into the co-op system of study
STEP 6: Prepare for your co-op work term.
FAQs
I’ve never done co-op before, will I still be considered?
The co-op admissions team is looking for a combination of education, past design and work experience, and soft skills that will help them determine your eligibility for the co-op option.
Preference isn’t given to students who have participated in a co-op or internship program previously. However, highlighting all previous work and design experience will be critical to achieving employment success. The more experience you have, the higher your competitive edge. Unpaid experience is still considered highly valuable.
How can I increase my chances of getting a co-op job?
CECA has excellent resources to help you successfully navigate the employment process including the Career Development eManual.
You can also book an appointment with your career advisor to help you with anything specific. Struggling with networking or want to brush up on interview skills? The Centre for Career Action (CCA) offers many workshops throughout the term.
Do I have to pay a fee to participate in co-op?
Only once students are successfully employed will they be charged the co-op fee.
What if I don’t get a co-op job?
Students who aren’t employed by the beginning of their co-op work term will, in most cases, return to the regular system of study and move into their Design Project term.
Sequence change requests (from 4-stream to 8-stream) due to an “unemployed” status will not be permitted.
This can be as late as Week 3 of term.