Current Co-op Education Students
Did you know, you can locate your own Co-op job:
Students are encouraged to locate their own Co-op jobs. The main benefits to this approach are:
- Students develop real-world job search skills which generally give them a competitive edge upon graduation
- Students have a much higher likelihood of obtaining the exact type of work and work environment they desire
- In most cases, it greatly reduces the average time and effort expended to obtain a Co-op (compared to participating in the general population of Kwantlen, and Lower Mainland, Co-op student competition)
Students interested in locating their own Co-op should discuss their intentions with their Co-op Instructor. Some employers wish to deal only with Co-op Instructors. The Co-op office will work with you to ensure efforts are not duplicated and can provide you with contact information and background information where available. As soon as a student locates a potential Co-op job, he or she must provide details of the work placement (i.e.. position title, duties, hours, pay, contact information) to the Co-op Instructor. It is ultimately the Instructor's decision to determine the relevance and validity of a prospective Co-op job.
Interesting Links
Check out these pages to help you with your work search as a Co-op student, or even as a grad.
Wage Subsidies available for Co-op Work Terms:
Summer Career Placements - The Summer Career Placements (SCP) program of Service Canada is designed to assist students in preparing for their future entry into the labour market. To this end, the program focuses on providing career-related work experience and developmental learning for in-school youth through the provision of a wage subsidy to public, private and not-for-profit employers.Canada Summer Jobs is a Government of Canada initiative that provides funding to help employers create summer job opportunities for students. It is designed to focus on local priorities while helping both students and their communities.
Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions:
What happens if I accept a job and a better opportunity arises?
If you get offered two jobs at the same time and have not yet committed to one, you are able to choose which placement you prefer. If you have already accepted a Co-op placement, you are required to honor your commitment to that employer.If you withdraw from an accepted Co-op job without a valid reason, you will no longer be given access to Co-op job opportunities.
How much can I expect to make?
Typical wages for first year students range from $10-$15 per hour and from $12 to $20 for second, third and fourth year Co-op students. Co-op employers set the wage, not the Co-op office. We encourage students to focus on the quality work experience in your field of study rather than the wage. Co-op work experiences jump start your career.
How many work terms do I have to complete to get the Co-op designation?
To receive the Co-op designation you must finish two work term placements in your diploma/degree as well as all appropriate Co-op classes. Please note that not all programs current grant a Co-op designation. For more information, contact the Co-op office at co-op@kwantlen.ca.
What are the work term assignments?
Work term projects assignments vary by instructor but for the most part include reflection assignments through on-line participation and a presentation/report that may be presented in video, PowerPoint or lecture format.
I hear that being involved in the Co-op process can take as much time as a course, is this true?
Yes, most work terms are full time jobs and also require additional course work in the form of on-line journals, goal setting, work term report, an employer evaluation of student performance. The time involved in applying and interviewing for Co-op jobs can be time consuming as well. The semester you plan to look for a Co-op job, be prepared to spend several hours per week on applying, preparing and interviewing for positions. The amount of time spent seeking a Co-op job will be dependent on how many jobs you apply for and how soon you are hired.
For all of the FAQs for current students, please click here.