The University of Waterloo is widely known as having a fantastic co-op program and is ranked #1 in Canada for Employer-Student Connections (https://uwaterloo.ca/co-operative-education/news/university-waterloo-ranked-1-canada-employer-student).

 

In this post, we would like to continue on from a past post about the co-op program and let you in on even more of the process and specifically what the co-op program is like from the perspective of the student. The blog post that discussed co-op previously can be found at the following link: https://www.sju.ca/blog/all-about-co-op-faculty-arts.In our last blog post, we discussed the professional development courses within the co-op program as well as the benefits of co-op. In this post we will be focusing on the co-op process and what it looks like from the student's perspective; what the application process is like, specifically. 

 

The co-op process begins with the course PD1, which stands for Professional Development 1. PD1 tells students about the interview process for co-op, gives them an introduction to the workplace and how the WaterlooWorks system works. WaterlooWorks is the online system where employers will post positions for students to apply to after they have decided that they would like a co-op student and have connected with the university. Students apply on WaterlooWorks by submitting their resumes, cover letters and like documents to the employers through the WaterlooWorks system and specifically the individual job posting(s) on WaterlooWorks. After the application deadline has passed students will begin to get notifications about interviews. On WaterlooWorks students select their interview time, based on the dates and times the employer will be coming to campus or is available to have a skype or phone interview. Interviews themselves typically take place at the Tatham Centre building on campus that has offices for on-campus interviews, as well as a call centre and a skype call centre. This is the process in a snapshot and for students who are in their first interview round - going back to the professional development courses mentioned earlier - the course PD1 talks them through this process in more detail and gives them the opportunity to participate in mock interviews and get their resume’s reviewed by PD1 TA’s. 

 

Upon the completion of the interview process what is called the ranking period begins. The ranking period is where both the students rank the positions they interviewed for and the employers rank the applicants as well. Employers rank the students they interviews first, and on a scheduled date, students gain access to how they were ranked by the employers they interviewed for. The rankings tell them if they were the employers first pick, if they were ranked by the employer but were not their first pick or if they were not ranked by the employer. Students are not told specifically where they rank outside of if they are the employer's first choice. At this point, based on the results they receive students rank the positions in return. After both rankings are inputted the match results are released and students are officially connected with a job. For students who are unsuccessful in this round, the continuous round begins and they begin applying for positions for this new round. 

 

This is the process of finding a co-op placement through the WaterlooWorks system, however, students are also given the opportunity to arrange their own jobs if they do not find what they are looking for within the WaterlooWorks System. In order to arrange your own job, you must fill out the arrange your own job form and submit it to the co-op department for approve through the WaterlooWorks website. Once the job is accepted, the student's co-op record is updated and then the student begins their placement at the scheduled time. 

 

Now that the specific co-op job finding process has been discussed some student experiences both in WaterlooWorks and in the co-op placement itself will be explored.The types of jobs that people in the arts take are varied and may be different than their ultimate career goals however they are able to learn and grow from this process. As we did with the previous co-op post we reached out to some co-op students who are enrolled here at St. Jerome’s and asked about their co-op experience, both the application period and the co-op placements themselves. Here is what they have to say. 

 

 

Katelin Hamilton

 

Your Program and Year of Academic Study

Honours English Literature and Rhetoric, History Minor, just finished 3B

 What is one memorable co-op placement that you had that you would want people to know about?

My current position as the Student Relations Associate with the School of Accounting and Finance at the University of Waterloo is an amazing opportunity for me to plan both large and small scale events while also learning a lot about the behind-the-scenes world of universities. My role is also very focused on student engagement, so it is great to get to see students getting involved with our programs and events.

What is a memorable co-op experience that you would like to share?

When working at Sheridan College as an English Learning Assistant, it was extremely valuable for me to see how far students progressed in their written and oral communication skills throughout the term. I had one student studying ESL who had an appointment with me every week for the 2 terms I was there, and it was incredible to see how far her skills had come since her first appointment! Her excitement at her own development and her thankfulness to me for supporting her through her learning was absolutely amazing and always puts a smile on my face.

How has your co-op experience been valuable to your career and educational aspirations?

Coming into university, I was unsure of what I wanted to do after I graduated. Co-op has been a great opportunity to try out a few career paths I was previously interested in, like working for a government, education and event planning. Co-op was the most valuable for me in that it introduced me to jobs I didn't even know existed as I scrolled through the job postings. Now that I've tried out a few career paths and started t narrow down my future goals, I will be finishing university with the equivalent of almost 2 years experience in relevant fields, which will be incredibly valuable on my resume.

 

 

 

Lauren Miller

 

Your Program and Year of Academic Study

Arts and Business, 2A

What is a memorable co-op experience that you would like to share?

In regards to WaterlooWorks, make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities that are presented to you. I recommend going to resume critiques and applying to any and all job postings that are relevant to your program. Even apply to jobs that at first don't seem relevant - don't let the company name or job title fool you, read the job description to see if you might have the applicable skills!

How has your co-op experience been valuable to your career and educational aspirations?

WaterlooWorks gave me a great interview experience. Multiple interviews, both over the phone and in-person set me up to be more confident in my interviews! Nerves are normal for any interview but practice truly does make a difference. The more mock and real interviews you have the more prepared you'll feel and you'll be able to put your best foot forward.

 

 

Angelo Feliciano

 

Your Program and Year of Academic Study

Honours Arts and Business, Legal Studies major, Theatre and Performance minor, 2A

What is one piece of advice you would offer to people who are preparing to apply for co-op?

One piece of advice that I would offer to people preparing to apply for co-op is to be kind to yourself. The process of applying and interviewing can sometimes be really tough, and that can cause a lot of feelings of stress and discouragement. In the face of these situations, please take the time to take care of yourself and to remind yourself that this is your first time and that, as a student, you are still learning and figuring things out!

What is a memorable co-op experience that you would like to share?

One memorable moment that I can recall in my overall co-op experience thus far was the moment I was matched with the job I have now here at St. Jerome's! I remember anxiously checking my email and Waterloo Works throughout the day, to see what the results were. Rankings had just closed, and I really wanted to know whether I would have to go on into continuous round. Finally, near the end of the day, close to the end of one of my classes, I got the email that I was matched! I was so overjoyed and could not contain my excitement. I really wanted this position and I am so glad that I got it. It was such an amazing feeling. I will probably never forget it!

How has your co-op experience been valuable to your career and educational aspirations?

This co-op experience has been extremely valuable to my career and educational aspirations. One of the things that I've learned and developed through this position is how to keep calm and collected despite being in a higher stress situation. I believe this skill is very valuable and applicable to all different kinds of occupations and situations. I also learned how to keep organized and handle multiple different responsibilities and tasks all at once. Finally, one of the most valuable skills I've learned through this position is knowing how to be resourceful when the answer isn't always clear cut. Utilizing the different resources at my disposal, as well as my own intuition and some critical thinking, I have been able to troubleshoot and navigate some complex situations that come up at the Front Desk and in numerous other projects. 

 

 

Janneke VanHoeve 

 

Your Program and Year of Academic Study

3A Arts and Business: Visual Culture, Psychology, and Cultural Identities 

What is one memorable co-op placement that you had that you would want people to know about?

For my first co-op, I worked in undergraduate recruitment for the Faculty of Arts at the University of Waterloo. 

What is a memorable co-op experience that you would like to share?

Helping prospective students and their families make their own memorable experiences each day! For this job I gave a lot of tours and talked with many interested students and their families. It was a great experience to be a part of since visiting universities is a really important step to take when deciding what school is ideal for your academic pursuits. 

How has your co-op experience been valuable to your career and educational aspirations?

My co-op experience has been valuable in countless ways that I keep realizing each day. Co-op has allowed me to explore different career options so that I have a better sense of my work preferences before graduating. The skills I have learned and developed at work are skills that I wouldn't have been able to teach myself or pick up in a lecture, so I am grateful for the practical, in-person experiences through co-op. 

 

If you have any suggestions for content that you would love to read about on our blog, please send an email to outreach@sju.ca! We would love to know what our students are interested in reading and knowing more about. 

 

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