Work terms provide the student with an opportunity to develop interpersonal skills in a professional setting.

Students enrolled in the co-op program are required to participate in a total of 12 months of work. Typically, the work terms will be taken in 3-four month work terms; however, other schedules may also be approved on an as-needed basis.

A student will be placed in a work term for a minimum of fourteen weeks, or one academic term. With permission from the Co-op Office, an employer may retain a student for a second consecutive four month work term which will be considered a separate work term. In this case, the student will be required to provide two work term reports, and the employer will offer two sets of work term evaluations. If a student has a double major, an employer may opt to provide the student with a different work experience for the second work term.

Steps to Secure your Work Term

1. Upon acceptance into the program, attend all mandatory professional development workshops.  Work with the co-op office to prepare your resume and cover letter and develop your interview skills. (Fall)
2. Research available work term job postings and work with your co-op coordinator to learn how to network to develop your own work term opportunity! (January/February)
   • All Co-op positions can be researched through logging into the Asper Career Portal. Do not be afraid to look for your own job opportunity! The Co-op office will work with you to market yourself to potential employers and help you secure positions that are not posted on the website. Remember that all non-posted positions must be approved by the Co-op office before a student can accept it as a work term.
3. Interview for positions and submit your employer rankings.  Finalize the coordination of your work term, register for your work term and pay the course fee with the Registrar's office.  (May)
4. Begin your work term and develop your Learning Objectives. (May)
5. Work hard, ask questions and have fun during your work term!
6. Prepare your work term report a few weeks before your term ends.  Review your final evaluation with your supervisor. (August) 
7. Use what you have learned to define your academic objectives.  Select courses and enter an academic term.  (Fall)
8. Repeat steps three to eight for work terms two and three.