Three students walking outdoors together at the University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus.

Co-ops and internships

Benefits

Students have the ability to complement their academic studies with paid work experience in their chosen field. Employers have access to skilled students who can assist with projects, process improvement and day-to-day business.

Benefits for students

A student in a co-operative education program earns a competitive wage while applying classroom learning to real-world situations. Students will also benefit from:

  • Skill building: Developing technical and professional skills, and learning to market their skills through a professional resumé and cover letter.
  • Networking: Building a powerful network of professionals in their field that support their career pathway and lead to opportunities.
  • Travel: Combining work with travel; opportunities exist locally, nationally and internationally.
  • Jobs: Receiving support with their job search process including access to jobs exclusive to co-op students. They also gain access to co-op placements with potentially better salaries.
  • Confidence building: Entering the workforce as confident graduates, with the developed ability to transition quickly into a chosen occupation.

Browse the opportunities on this page to learn more about our co-op programs.

To find out more about student co-op opportunities, connect with the co-op coordinator in your faculty.

Benefits for employers

An employer who welcomes a co-op student into the workplace is receiving a highly skilled and motivated employee eager to learn and contribute. Employers will also benefit from:

  • Hiring solutions: Filling short-term needs with qualified students with the potential of selecting future full-time employees.
  • Investment: Reducing the cost of recruiting, hiring and training.
  • Strategic recruitment: Hiring job-ready and motivated students who have been pre-screened and are prepared for the world of working.
  • Dedicated talent: Employing students who have a focus on professional development, seeking to explore their career paths.
  • Support: Accessing a variety of supports such as use of on-campus interview rooms and receiving ongoing support from qualified co-op professionals.
  • Tax credits and wage subsidies: Potential eligibility for federal or provincial tax credits and wage subsidies.

To hire a student and for details about the terms of placement, connect with a co-op coordinator from one of the faculties on this page.

Current co-op opportunities

  • A man and woman walk through a field crop at sunset. An agricultural drone flies overhead, sending data to the woman’s laptop.

    Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences

    Students enrolled in the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences are encouraged to complete a co-op placement that fits with their academic goals and interests. They gain 3-credits for each 4-month term.

     

  • An Architecture co-op student stands at a counter, studying a large blueprint of a building.

    Faculty of Architecture

    The Faculty of Architecture Cooperative Education/Integrated Work Program Option (Co-op/I) is designed to complement and enrich academic programs with work experience. The work terms provide students with practical experience, assistance in financing their education, and guidance for future career specialization.

     

  • Two co-op students, one standing and one seated at a desk, review information in a notebook and on a laptop.

    Faculty of Arts

    The Faculty of Arts Co-operative Education Program is a professional development program where students alternate regular academic terms with paid, full-time employment in their area of study.

     

  • A large ceremonial cheque is presented to Katie Moist, the 2018-19 Engineering co-op student of the year.

    Price Faculty of Engineering

    The Faculty of Engineering Co-operative Education and Industrial Internship Program (Co-op/IIP) is a valuable partnership between the university, employers and students, whereby students complement their academic study with a work experience course in a paid engineering work placement.

     

  • A young man in waterproof clothing lies on his stomach on a dock. He holds a fish in the water, set to release it.

    Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources

    The Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources Cooperative Education Option is a four year undergraduate program with mandatory courses and work terms in addition to regular studies. Co-op students are renowned for their high academic standards and a strong work ethic.

     

  • A student wearing a backpack stands at a lookout in the mountains of British Columbia, a beautiful valley behind him.

    Faculty of Science

    We prepare students to work as professionals, find suitable work placements for Co-op students and to simplify the hiring process for employers. This program is available for students in Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Genetics, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics & Astronomy, Psychology and Statistics.

     

  • A student stands at an upper window of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, the Winnipeg skyline behind him.

    Asper School of Business

    Asper Co-op is an experiential learning program which allows students to transform academic theory into real world knowledge, in a productive work setting.

     

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