Co-op and Experiential Education

An automated speech coach to help you nail your next interview. Image recognition that can always find Waldo. And a voice-controlled scanner that allows you to 3D print a medical cast. 

Those are just a few of the projects created by over 3,000 student hackers who attended Hack the North 2020++ from January 15 to 17, 2021. 

With the switch to online learning and working from home, many co-op student and workers alike have had to revisit how they network and build friendships, virtually. Just as many of us had polished our in-person salutations and office etiquette, we’re now needing to pivot to keep these same connections fresh and genuine. Here’s a few suggestions we’ve developed during our co-op terms at the University of Waterloo:

Getting to know your colleagues

As he approached his first co-op term in January 2020, Ethan Leiher knew what he wanted in a job. A student in Waterloo’s School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, he hoped to gain hands-on experience with an organization dedicated to protecting nature. Ethan tackled his job search with determination and thought he’d found the perfect position — until a lack of funding threatened his plans.

For graduating master’s students, convocation is an important recognition of their hard work and dedication. Some will move on to professional roles, while others plan to continue the research that has captured their imagination.

As they celebrate their accomplishments with their families and supporters, Waterloo recognizes the commitment and success of our master’s students, including these six graduands. 

Convocation is a time to celebrate a significant milestone. This year’s convocation celebrations may look a little different, but the role of the valedictorian remains the same — to represent the graduating class and address the students, families and supporters who will come together to recognize this important day. 

These six students have been selected by their peers in recognition of their social and academic contributions to the Waterloo community.

From supporting a vital social project in India to developing an innovative mindset right here in Kitchener-Waterloo, University of Waterloo students continue to develop critical skills for the future of work. This is all thanks to our outstanding employer partners.

For the first time, six employers are being recognized with a Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) Employer Impact Award for excellence in their industry and providing outstanding opportunities for Waterloo students. Announced October 8, this year’s recipients include:

Anthony Miller has put in many long days in the seven months since COVID-19 first hit Canada. He’s the experiential learning coordinator for Waterloo Pharmacy’s co-operative education program and along with the experiential team, particularly Sarah de Waal and Professor Nancy Waite, he’s overcome many hurdles to ensure Pharmacy students continue to experience safe co-op work terms.

COVID-19 has impacted 2020 co-op work terms in the winter, spring and Fall Terms, with some jobs being cancelled and others created on very short notice.

A Waterloo political science student has been named one of ten Youth Champions for Disarmament by the United Nations. Kirsten Mosey was inspired to work in global affairs after volunteering at a notorious refugee camp on the small Greek island of Lesvos.